1) FedEx (FDX) is a logistics company engaged in several lines of business. They operate divisions in the overnight courier, less-than-truckload (LTL) freight, ground package delivery, custom clearance and retail office services markets. The core of the business is the overnight courier service, but ground package delivery and LTL are both growing segments of the market for FedEx. In the past few years, FedEx absorbed Kinko's, a retail office services firm. After struggling to integrate the operation, FedEx rebranded it FedEx Office in order to hasten the assimilation1. As growth in the overnight market has declined, FDX has moved aggressively into the LTL market, an industry only now beginning to consolidate.
             2) I chose the company for a couple of reasons. First, it is a bellwether firm. Its operations are closely aligned with those of the US economy as a whole, which makes it an interesting study. FedEx also has a significant international presence and competes in several different sectors. They have become adaptable in recent years, but remain a bellwether.
             Also, the company is iconic, visible, highly successful and fascinating company on a number of different levels. FedEx is one of the most interesting examples of corporate culture. The Kinko's merger was an interesting study in corporate culture clash. It is also one of the most admired companies in the world. Furthermore, FedEx revolutionized the way business works in this world. The introduction of overnight courier services ranks as one of the most important developments to shape the modern business environment. As an example, it allowed for the development of the Philippine semiconductor industry by allowing overnight shipping of sensitive devices across the Pacific Ocean. On a more humble level, it improved the pace of domestic communications, resulting in a paradigm shift that heralded the beginning of the information age. Their contributio...