Frederick W. Smith Week 8 - Essay Example

Frederick W. Smith Week 8 al Affiliation) Response Fred Smith set effective standards to improve the performance of FedEx teams. The standards reinforced their performance by developing the concept of the “golden package” that ensured the timely delivery of all packages held by FedEx (Lussier & Achua, 2013). The standard ensured that the team considered the aspect of time in delivering products. The standard ensured that FedEx teams offered timely response to various issues raised by consumers in the market.

Indeed, Fred Smith charged the team with the golden package to establish how the organization will be delivering all packages in time during a crisis or competitive pressure (Lussier & Achua, 2013). As such, the standards enhanced the efficiency of the FedEx teams.Response 2Fred Smith motivated the members of FedEx to remain highly engaged in their teams. The flexibility and freedom enjoyed by employees enabled the employees to act with speed to help FedEx maintain its goodwill and achieve competitive advantage (Lussier & Achua, 2013).

Moreover, the members were motivated to remain highly engaged in their teams because they had the authority and bore the responsibility of making relevant changes that would improve productivity and customer satisfaction in the organization (Lussier & Achua, 2013). The focus on teamwork, little direct supervision by managers, and the success of the teams motivated them to remain committed.Response 3FedEx managers played significant roles in facilitating team effectiveness. The managers formulated clear and attainable goals that defined the direction and operation of FedEx teams (Lussier & Achua, 2013).

They also addressed employee issues, solicited, and implemented the best employee ideas that ensured good interrelations and quality service delivery (Lussier & Achua, 2013). FedEx managers perfected their role as facilitators where they were major players in linking employees, customers, and the executive management. They also practiced team leadership and responded to various emergencies with speed. Apparently, these roles helped FedEx to facilitate team effectiveness that enhanced team performance.

Response 4Subject to the immense competition encountered in the market, FedEx established “super-teams” to address the growing competition in the market. The “super-teams” included a maximum of 10 clerical employees (Lussier & Achua, 2013). The company had two “super-teams” with different mandates. Notably, the “super-teams” were self-managed since they were subject to little direct supervision from managers (Lussier & Achua, 2013). FedEx used the first “super-team” to cut service glitches like incorrect bills and lost packages by 13 % (Lussier & Achua, 2013).

The company established and used a second “super-team” to solve a billing problem that had been costly for FedEx for a long time.Response 5FedEx managers played significant roles to develop effective teams. For instance, they formulated clear and realistic goals that enabled the teams to perform better in department and local levels. The managers also acted as facilitators where they responded to emergencies with speed. For instance, senior managers helped in loading packages onto the conveyor belts during emergencies at the Memphis hub (Lussier & Achua, 2013).

FedEx managers also helped employees to form the Quality Action Team that overhauled the package-sorting techniques thus improving delivery time (Lussier & Achua, 2013).ReferenceLussier, R. N., & Achua, C. F. (2013). Leadership: Theory, Application, & Skill Development (5th Ed.) South-Western: Cengage Learning.