In 400 B.C., the Greek historian Herodotus wrote "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" He was referring to the first recorded courier system. In this final section, we look at three modern courier systems to evaluate core competencies.

DEFINITE CORE COMPETENCIES
Federal Express Corp.

Federal Express Corp. is the worlds largest express package transportation company. The company was founded in 1973 by Fredrick W. Smith.

Every day Fedex moves more than 2.4 million packages around the world. To do this, the company manages an airline fleet of over 500 aircraft, employs more than 110,000 people worldwide, and operates more than 35,000 vehicles in its integrated system. Customers can track the progress of their package using the company's web site FedEx interNetShip. Dennis H. Jones, senior vice president and chief information officer for Federal Express announced the new service thus: "FedEx's leadership in deploying useful, interactive Web applications for business users has been widely recognized. FedEx interNetShip further advances that position by placing the company's core competencies--express transportation and information systems--on the world's most powerful network."

Federal Express is an example of a company which possesses very definite core competencies. The company is an industry leader, and constantly re-defines the industry's standard of competency.

SOME CORE COMPETENCIES
US Postal Service

The U.S. Postal system was established in 1775. Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster General.

Forty percent of the world's mail (over 170 billion pieces per year) flow through the U.S. Postal system. However, the system is not noted for its efficiency or the quality of its service.

The U.S. Postal Service is an example of an organization which has some core competencies. There is no corporate motivation to developing excellence in these core competencies.

LOW CORE COMPETENCIES
Ray's Courier Service

Ray's Courier Service is a wonderful lesson in the ability of a mentally challenged individual building a useful career for himself.

Ray is a young adult with a very low IQ, who lives with his parents in a waterfront suburb of the city I work in. A couple of years ago, Ray got his drivers' license, and his folks set him up in the courier business. Every weekday morning he drives his van into the city, and does the rounds of all the marine supply stores. He'll pick up any order that is ready by noon. In the afternoons, he delivers these orders to the marine service trades in the suburb.

Ray's mom answers the phone at home, and lays out each day's route for Ray. His dad does the books and helps Ray look after the van. The boating community thinks Ray's service is great.

Ray's Courier service is an example of a business, which has survived in spite of having low core competencies. Ray has little or no experience or skills, except his ability to drive, and his good nature. His customers think that's enough.