FedEx Overview FedEx is the world's largest express courier, small package ground delivery, less-than-truckload delivery, supply chain management, customs brokerage, trade facilitation and e-commerce solutions with more than 145,000 employees worldwide and deliver more than 3.2 million packages per day. They command a fleet of 634 aircraft and more than 42,500 vehicles. FedEx offers various international package and document delivery services in 214 countries, as well as international freight services, and also offers commercial and military charter services. On February 12, 2004, FedEx Group acquired Kinko's, Inc. It now also provides document solutions and business services, including copy and print services, signage and graphics, video conferencing, high-speed wireless and wired Internet access, and computer usage. best known for his phrase "when it absolutely, positively has to get there". This is just one reason why FedEx is an industry leader. Fred Smith founded FedEx in April 1973. Smith incorporated the management principles that made FedEx an immediate success. These principles have driven FedEx employees to demonstrate unprecedented dedication to their work and their company. On August 20, 1997, Federal Express Corp. distributed a special appreciation bonus of approximately $20 million to nearly 90,000 U.S. operations employees in recognition of their extraordinary efforts. It is no idle boast to say that they are family. One reason FedEx is a corporate leader is that it is an organization full of individual leaders. In fact, the company designed the process by which it turns entry-level employees into middle managers (and then senior executives) with as much creativity and attention to detail as the process by which it sorts packages at its Memphis hub. FedEx, its top leaders share nine personal attributes such as charisma, individual consideration, intellectual stimulation, courage, dependability, flexibility, integrity, judgment and respect for others, which the company defines with remarkable specificity. FedEx also has a system for evaluating aspiring leaders based on whether they possess these attributes. The flat management structure minimized the distance between leaders and frontline workers. This has the effect of empowering employees and expanding their responsibilities. Employees who feel empowered… at the center of the card… talk about important issues, move them to higher-level needs, influence them to transcend their self-interests for the good of the company, and inspire compel them to work harder than they initially expected. Leaders must be loyal to their employees, seeking partnerships rather than imposing patriarchy. They must have a keen sense of duty and be the bearers of change, knowing how to accept criticism as well as give it. Transformational leadership starts from the top. Fred Smith, through these principles, has made FedEx a world-class leader in the overnight delivery industry. Smith leads the industry and follows no one. He inspires his workers by taking action and setting an example for them to follow. The LEAP process he initiated demonstrates FedEx's commitment to continuous improvement and opportunity in management. LEAP has given FedEx employees added incentive to dedicate their careers to the company knowing that the program will help them move up the company's corporate ladder. Thanks to the organization's strong leadership, which places an emphasis on employee satisfaction, it is no surprise that FedEx continues to be one of the most successful global companies.