Product Description
An inside look at leadership practices that enabled the world’s leading shipping company to outthink and outperform its competition Using firsthand accounts from top leaders at FedEx, FedEx Delivers explains how the company became an international powerhouse and one of the most trusted global brands by using leadership practices that tapped into the creativity and commitment of its employees. Both a compelling business story and a prescription for busi… More >>
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#1 by Conrad B. Senior on April 25, 2010 - 7:32 am
Your review
Worst choice for shipping products – doubleecho – Today
FedEx has put too much on the shoulders of their drivers. These guys have so many packages to deliver that they can’t wait around, even a few minutes after ringing a doorbell for a signature.
Here is a good example. I ordered some products and mistakenly chose the default option, signature required. Which should not be a problem given that someone is usually home at my house. The first delivery came in a narrow window when I was dropping off someone at the train–I was gone 15 minutes, but it was enough. I called to see if I could sign the door tag and get my order. I was told no, someone at the house had to sign for it. WTF? Why can’t I sign the door tag? The next day, my girl was sunning herself in the back of the house and did not hear the doorbell. I called again and complained. I posted a huge sign on the door to ring the bell and wait a few minutes. This time the guy came earlier than expected, my girl was in the shower for 5 minutes and didn’t hear the bell. When it didn’t come, my girlfriend called and FedEx agreed to make another delivery attempt the next day–they put the box on the van, and this time the driver took it off. So it was all a lie. They would not make the attempt, nor did they notify me they would not.
Both my girlfriend and I both stayed home to be sure someone was home to answer the door. It never came. I wasted a day waiting. Now, with a holiday weekend coming up, the next delivery is on Monday–four days from now. What should have been a two day delivery, is taking weeks. For me to pick this up would be a 60 minute drive each way–2 hours plus a lot of gas to pick up what I paid to have delivered.
Compare to the US Post Office– a pick up is less than a five minute drive. UPS is about a 15 minute drive for a pickup. FedEx? What are they thinking with 2 hours round trip to pick something up?
What FedEx should do. If the signature requirements must be met in such a narrow way, they should have an option for the receiver to waive the signature, by signing a door tag. If a signature is hard to get, they should make a second attempt each day if no one is home. If an item is placed on the truck-the driver should not take it off again without making an inquiry about it. Whoever is responsible for putting it back on the truck should attach a note to it. I just learned that a note was put on the package, and the driver chose not to delivery it. Now I’d like to know who the driver was–he should be fired.
Finally, if I was the manager of this FedEx Office—this means you Chris in Wallingford, CT, I’d personally deliver it if my people screwed it up so many ways.
Chris is not a good manager or he would have taken my number, gotten the package, coordinated a time to meet, and personally delivered it–that is customer service.
My advice to anyone is this: use UPS or the US Postal System. The Postal Service works great and is cheap and pretty fast. I know my Mail Carrier by name. UPS has built in insurance, so leaving a package at the door is never a problem, and they are faster than FedEx, delivering many packages a day early.
One reason I chose the default FedEx signature option was because I was concerned that I might not receive my products and did not see an insurance option.
FedEx is good for documents and between businesses where there is a receptionist. For home delivery–FedEx sucks.
The bottom line? I will never use them again. I’d rather wait a day than give these people any of my money. Never again will FedEx have the opportunity to screw me over.
Rating: 1 / 5
#2 by Rip Walker on April 25, 2010 - 10:13 am
My disclaimer: As with any opinion, it is only my opinion! And everyone’s will vary depending on who reads the book and what the reader is looking for. I look for ways to improve businesses, sales, and my life.
On a 1 to 5 scale, 5 being the best:
Readability 4: The book reads pretty well, although a little slow at times. One of those books I picked up for a long flight. It was interesting as well and occupied my time.
Information and new ideas 5: Some great ideas were shared and they demonstrated the simplicity in which some problems can be solved.
Applicable Ideas 5: As I stated, great ideas to innovate into other businesses. Especially in regards to problem solving.
Value 5: I took away several ideas which gave me ways to improve the business that I am in.
Overall Score 5: Another book for reference in my library. You might want to buy it as well.
Madan Birla did a fine job!
Rip Walker
Author: Rip’s Book of Common Sense Selling: Improving Sales Through Process Implementation
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Reader on April 25, 2010 - 1:00 pm
Not sure if this was a book to promote himself or explain the origin and inner workings of FedEx, but it was a pathetic mishmash and virtually unreadble. I now blame this guy personally when my FedEx overnight doesn’t arrive on time.
Rating: 1 / 5
#4 by George on April 25, 2010 - 1:09 pm
I’m afraid that I’ve to say that it is a terrible book on both FedEx and Innovation. The book talks a very little about FebEX in terms of its story and its business innovation, although in the name of FedEX Delivers. And it is very shallow and unsystemic, actually no (much) value, in learning of management and of innovation.
It is almost waste of time!
Sorry of my frank comments but I just share my feeling.
Rating: 1 / 5
#5 by Biz Reader on April 25, 2010 - 1:51 pm
There are lots and lots of useful management ideas in this book. Fed Ex seems to know how a business should run and how to treat its customers and its employees. If you have a business with employees or are contemplating starting one this book would be good to have around. It will help you to grow your business by incorporating the help of others whith their views which may be different from your own.
Rating: 4 / 5