Cheap tech and shrinking transaction costs within supplier networks are two trends that outpace any large company's ability to adapt.

FORBES: Enjoy It Now, You 2000

Every company tries to streamline manufacturing and supplier networks, of course.

WSJ: 3M Begins Untangling Its 'Hairballs'

After closing plants, breaking up supplier networks and slashing costs, Nissan now has earnings before interest and taxes equaling 10.8% of sales--the best margin of the world's major automakers.

FORBES: Overdrive

Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Water runs out in flood-hit areas

Among the obstacles entrepreneurs face are poor regulatory environments, complicated bureaucracies, capital shortages, under developed supplier and customer networks, security and trust.

FORBES: Entrepreneurs & Government: Happily Ever After?

BT, a British firms that buys Huawei equipment, says that having the firm as a supplier has not jeopardised the security of its networks.

ECONOMIST: Two big Chinese telecoms firms come under fire in America

The partners on this commitment will build networks to organize women entrepreneurs, train women for supplier-readiness, and provide women with technical assistance.

FORBES: To Move Women Forward, Recognize That Things are Looking Up

The alliance would also allow Fiat Group and Chrysler to take advantage of each other's distribution networks and to optimize fully their respective manufacturing footprint and global supplier base.

FORBES: Magazine Article