...the very nature of the products themselves is changing, including complex medical devices, customized medicine based on a person’s own physiology, and drugs that use more sophisticated molecules. The very nature of medicine is evolving; therefore the regulatory environment is becoming more stringent due to concerns about the efficacy and durability of these commodities. Temperature requirements are becoming tighter, and, while this is relatively easy to manage for inventory at rest, it is exponentially more complex to manage for inventory that is in motion—traversing entire oceans and continents...

- What is your advice for companies expanding their supply chains globally?

Expanding globally is certainly an exciting thing, but it comes with its challenges. I cannot over-state the importance of personal relationships and communication as we bridge East with West to operate efficiently in multiple regions. The trust that can only result from relationships and consistent personal behavior built on a foundation of trust and integrity is priceless. Adjusting to different time zones, cultures, and work styles are all things that take time. The best way to adapt to this new set of expectations and responsibilities is to communicate often and clearly with your global partners...

When the U.S.-India Business Council honored FedEx with a Global Leadership Award June 23 in Washington, the audience got to hear from two dynamic innovators – Fred Smith and Chanda Kochhar, CEO of ICICI Bank, India’s largest private-sector bank.

Are there any challenges to having a supply chain that spans the globe?

No.

Oh wait, YES! About a zillion.

Honestly, Loudmouth is about having fun. And supply chain "challenges," as you euphemistically referred to them are NOT fun. However, FedEx has been able to solve most of them, so the supply chain isn't as much a "ball and chain" for us, which frees us up to be the fun stylish guys designing, producing, golfing in and partying in LOUD PANTS.

...“One notable finding is that a subset of developing countries, such as China, India, and Mexico, have experienced trade growth while also decreasing their greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP.”

This is encouraging, and it tends to support the idea that trade, and the economic growth that goes with it, increases the capacity of countries to improve their environmental performance. It also reminds me of our work on Access, which includes a great deal of data analysis...