Born This Way

As taken as all of us Little Monsters are with the day's pop culture highlights, some of us are also contemplating other cultural highlights, believe it or not.  My developmentally-arrested mind began to wander into the thicket of considering the considerable challenges of touring logistics for mega-stars, their gear, and their associates.  Daunting, even when only legal substances are in the mix.

The logistics get more interesting - and risky - in some other cultural applications.  I recently flew with a gentleman who acocmpanies his organization's traveling exhibits across the country.  He, in a coach middle seat, wasn't being handled with nearly the care that the priceless artifacts he cared for were.

Sometimes the cargo might be dinosaur bones - and displays; other times treasures of the Pharoahs would be on the move.  Begin with the premise that what I think of as "event logistics" is a more difficult practice than recurring replenishment of fast-moving consumer goods.  In this world, one doesn't have the advantage of relentlessly repeated execution to hone pratices to perfection.  It's got to be right - completely right - the first time.  And, on time, as well.

Add to that terrifying prospect the idea that moving the exhibits isn't as casual an exercise as calling a freight broker to find the cheapest, nearest carrier.  The folks delivering the goods must be uncommonly capable, amazingly trustworthy, and as committed to excellence as is the sponsoring institution. 

Thre's no way that the carrier keeps the busines - or my new friend keeps his job - if everything but King Tut's jewellry shows up in Indianapolis, or Honolulu, or wherever.  People who excel in this specialized logistics niche can certainly benefit from development over time.  To some extent, though, they succeed in their uncommon supply chain relationships because they're also born this way.