ES' attempt to create a level of ‘intimacy' between the company and its main suppliers and customers. Explain what we mean when we use the term ‘intimacy' in this sense. How does this intimacy contribute to the pursuit of operational excellence?
When a business really knows its customers, and serves them well, the customers generally respond by returning and purchasing more. This raises revenues and profits. Likewise with suppliers: the more a business engages it suppliers, the better the suppliers can provide vital inputs. This lowers cost.