While the number of stores, 2, 244, is essentially unchanged over the last three years, Blake has been investing heavily in training and logistics so that Home Depot stores actually have what people want and so that sales people there can actually help customers find and use the stuff.

FORBES: Home Depot Stock: Money Pit Or Fixer Upper?

Though a great enthusiast for all things crocodile-related - he once seriously considered the logistics of keeping one in his home as a pet - Packham says humans always need to be on their guard when in the vicinity of such animals.

BBC: Who, what, why: How do you fight off a crocodile?

If you want to try ELH at home, read my two stories about the economics and the logistics of selling losers.

FORBES: Fidelity's Giant Loss Harvesting Tax Dodge

Rather than employing personal assistants at home, some bankers are using the executive assistants at their offices to handle some of their personal logistics.

WSJ: Honey, They Shrunk My Bonus

But the government could tackle home-grown difficulties that strangle supply in all sorts of industries, including agriculture, retailing, infrastructure and logistics.

ECONOMIST: Indian politics