Changing How the World Does Business

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12 The Company Lodestar

Federal Express has always valued its people; it is the proper and equitable thing to do, and from a business perspective, good employees, vendors, and customers are valuable assets, not easily replaced. Debra Howse is typical of the high caliber of the people who contributed to the company’s success. The story of how she came to be a part of this exciting venture is a tale of compassion and caring, excitement and anticipation, and another of the amazing “coincidences” that seemed to surround the building of the core group at Federal Express.

Shortly after Debra settled into her new job at the Adams Field ticket counter, a new customer handed her his air travel card. It read “Fred Smith, Federal Express.” Debra reasoned ...