In the world of business, Frederick W. Smith is a name that needs no introduction. He is the founder and CEO of FedEx, one of the largest cargo airlines and package delivery companies in the world. Smith has been at the helm of the company since its inception in 1971 and continues to lead his company to success.
Smith has always been an ambitious and passionate leader. He grew up in a military family and was exposed to the concept of leadership from a young age. After graduating from Yale, where he managed the football team's finances, he ventured into business and chose to enter the shipping industry. In 1971, Smith had a vision to revolutionize the shipping industry and started FedEx.
Smith had a bold vision for FedEx. He wanted to create a company that would be able to deliver packages to any location within a 24-hour time frame. To make this vision a reality, Smith invested in a large fleet of aircrafts, invested in state-of-the-art technology and developed the FedEx network. He even coined the slogan “when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight” to emphasize the company’s reliability and speed.
Smith has continued to lead the way in innovation and customer service throughout the years. In 1997, Smith launched FedEx Ground, an economical ground delivery service, making FedEx a true one-stop shop for customers. This move allowed FedEx to compete with companies like UPS and become an even bigger player in the industry.
In addition to launching new services, Smith has focused heavily on leveraging technology in order to make the company more effective and efficient. Under his leadership, FedEx has developed technology such as the FedEx Tracking System and the FedEx Hexatech Network, which are used to efficiently track packages, monitor delivery times and provide customers with up-to-date information about their shipments. Smith also implemented an Optii Family Tool, a software that manages resources and optimizes delivery routes.
Throughout his tenure at FedEx, Smith has focused on creating a corporate culture that is committed to excellence and passion for success. His values of innovation, speed, and customer service are reflected in the company’s core values and serve as motivation for the entire organization. Smith encourages the employees at FedEx to always strive to do better and to continuously strive for excellence and innovation.
Smith’s commitment to exceptional customer service has been rewarded. In 2017, FedEx was ranked as the most admired company in the shipping and logistics industry by Fortune Magazine. This accolade, coupled with the company’s continued success, further demonstrates the positive impact Smith has had on the organization and its constituents.
Under Smith’s leadership, FedEx has not only maintained its position as one of the top package delivery companies in the world, but has also diversified its services. The company now offers express, freight, and international shipping services, as well as ecommerce solutions for businesses.
Frederick Smith has been leading FedEx for almost five decades and continues to drive innovation in the company. With Smith’s leadership and vision, FedEx is poised to continue its success into the future. With Smith leading the charge, businesses and customers alike can count on FedEx to be prompt, reliable and efficient.
