From USPS News Link:

Simplicity and making it easier to do business with the Postal Service were the themes earlier this week at National Postal Forum, where USPS Executive Leadership Team members addressed a standing-room-only crowd during the Postmaster General’s Executive Session.

“We want to share some of our strategies with you and better explain some of our key priorities,” said PMG Pat Donahoe, who was joined onstage by Chief Operating Officer Megan Brennan, Chief Information Officer Ellis Burgoyne, Chief Sales/Marketing Officer Paul Vogel and DPMG Ron Stroman to discuss USPS initiatives.

The first phase of installing 100 flats sequencing system machines will be completed by June and will result in a reduction of almost 1,100 delivery routes, said Brennan. But work remains on improving national critical entry times for First-Class Mail, Periodicals and Standard Mail flats.

Continued improvements to Full Service Address Correction Service; increasing tracking for mailpieces, trays and containers; and full tracking of all barcoded packages by October were among the customer improvements announced by Burgoyne.

Two new IT programs — eDropShip and electronic payment — will replace cumbersome paper-based systems for mail acceptance and billing.

After reinforcing the Postal Service’s commitment to a national advertising campaign that reinforces the value of mail, Vogel said that $10 million in revenues already have been achieved through Every Door Direct Mail — a product that simplifies creating and delivering marketing mail.

Other customer-focused products being considered include expanding Reply Rides Free to include a free second ounce, and ways to provide free shipping for online purchases, added Vogel.

via USPS News Link – May 5, 2011.

From the National Postal Forum via USPS News Link:

As it continues to redesign internal activities to meet its four business strategies, the Postal Service also will focus on perfecting its core function of delivering — to make sure the value that businesses get from using the mail is strengthened and improved, PMG Pat Donahoe vowed yesterday at the National Postal Forum (NPF).

Read the rest of this entry »

Nashville—While prospecting through traditional direct mail channel isn’t getting any easier or cheaper, catalogers have to need to bring in new customers to grow their businesses—everybody knows this. Yet many mailers have pulled back sharply on prospecting.

A panel at the 2010 National Catalog Forum, presented here April 13-15 by the American Catalog Mailers Association, discussed why mailers were not prospecting. The main reason is the poor economy, but most catalogers are also dealing with fewer pages, fewer contacts, and changes in paper to keep costs down.

Full story: Live From the National Catalog Forum: Prospect or Die.

The Postal Service at the NPF gave special recognition to a group of customers for their continued — and creative — use of the mail. These businesses are finding new ways to make the most of the mail to help build business and strengthen the mailing industry.

“You know your customers, you know what’s important to them and you’re constantly rethinking the role of mail in your business,” Postmaster General John Potter told the award winners. “You’re finding new ways — better ways — to use mail to build stronger relationships with your customers.”

The Strategic Business Development Award recognizes customers who have kept pace as technology advances, and used innovation to improve their operations and provide customers with a mail product that delivers increased value and business results. Recipients of this award are: AT&T Inc., BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, MexGrocer.com, NIKE Inc., Progressive Insurance Co., Time Warner Inc., United Automobile Insurance Group and Worldcolor.

The Creative Business Solutions Award honors postal customers who use the mail in new and different ways to help achieve their company’s business objectives. It’s mail that stands out and gets results. Recipients of this award are: General Motors, Macy’s Inc., MobileNow!, Second Rotation/Gazelle, SuperMedia Inc., OtterBox, Trader Joe’s and Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts.

From global alliances to collaboration on a smaller scale, the Postal Service values its business partnerships. The Corporate Business Achievement Awards honors companies that use postal products and services to deliver value and to help strengthen and grow their businesses. Recipients of this award are: Amazon.com, Arroweye Solutions, Atlantic Coast Media Group, Arandell Corp., Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., Chrysler Group LLC, Clover Technologies, Discover Financial Services, Edward Jones, Erlanger, Ford Motor Co., Iowa Department of Public Health, Pier 1 Imports, The M.A.I.L. Group, Tractor Supply Co., Walmart.com, Walgreen Co., Walz Group and Wolters Kluwer Financial Services.

via PCC Insider – April 14, 2010 Special Edition.

They came. They talked. They networked. One of the highlights for many of the attendees at this year’s National Postal Forum in Nashville, TN, was being able to participate in peer-to-peer roundtable groups.

“The needs of our mailers are always our top priority,” says Senior Vice President, Customer Relations Stephen Kearney, “and we hope the peer-to-peer discussion groups will provide them with the networking opportunities necessary to help them grow their business.”

More than 200 people attended yesterday’s roundtable session, which included several Postal Customer Council discussion groups.

“Being able to discuss business with your peers is just fantastic,” said Theresa Peterlein, director of Sales and Marketing at Presort Services, Grand Rapids, MI, who participated in a session on how to maximize the local PCC network. Peterlein is industry co-chair of the Mid-Michigan PCC and is in the process of organizing a one-day national webinar for PCC members.

Other roundtable discussion groups included how to get started with Intelligent Mail services, leadership best practices and global business opportunities.

From PCC Insider – April 14, 2010 Special Edition.

Speaking this week at National Postal Forum in Nashville, Vice President of Expedited Shipping Gary Reblin told mailers the Postal Service is in the shipping business and that shipping is key to its future.

“We want USPS to be known as much for shipping as it is for mailing,” said Reblin. “With the boom in online ordering, shipping will be an important part of the Postal Service’s business plan for the future.”

In large part because of the successful advertising campaign promoting Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, the Postal Service has gained market share and experienced double-digit growth in flat-rate shipping. Equally important, innovations in pricing and product design have been popular with customers.

New cubic pricing, an industry first, was introduced in January and bases shipping prices on the size of the box, not on the weight. This groundbreaking strategy has been well received by businesses and the mailing industry. To date, more than two dozen very large shippers have signed on. Cubic pricing allows shippers to reduce shipping costs and lower their carbon footprint through the use of smaller packaging.

“Just a few years ago, we had only one pricing table for all Priority Mail,” explained Reblin. “Today, we offer channel discounts, volume discounts, contracts and now cubic pricing. We will continue to innovate, continue to grow and — most importantly — continue to provide the best possible value and pricing for our customers.”

Other innovations include the Priority Mail Gift Card Envelope, which was introduced on a trial basis for the winter holiday season. It has been expanded nationwide just in time for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, summer weddings and school graduations. In addition, Customized Packaging — which allows customers to create boxes, envelopes, cohesive packaging and address labels that are tailored to meet a customer’s specific needs — has helped the Postal Service bring in new business.

“We believe we are the best business-to-consumer solution,” added Reblin. “Through product innovations and enhanced technology, the Postal Service will continue to deliver better value at a lower cost.”

USPS News Link

FORT COLLINS, CO — 04/14/10 — OtterBox, makers of protective technology cases, was recognized last night with the 2010 Creative Business Solutions Award from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This prestigious award was presented during the National Postal Forum (NPF) ceremony held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

Sylvester Black, Area Operations, Western Area, selected OtterBox for the Creative Business Solutions Award which pays tribute to companies who recognize the vital importance of innovation, teamwork, communication and customer satisfaction in partnership with USPS. Read the rest of this entry »

“Nashville—If you don’t want to get whacked with high postal rates, you need to communicate to Congress what a price increase will mean to your business, according to Gene Del Polito, president of the Association for Postal Commerce.

Catalogers have to take it upon themselves, because the U.S. Postal Service does not understand the catalog business, Del Polito told attendees of the 2010 National Catalog Forum, presented here April 13-15 by the American Catalog Mailers Association. Also, he said, the USPS ‘doesn’t have a lot of credibility with Congress.’”

Full story: Live From the National Catalog Forum: Catalogs Must Communicate With Congress.

“Nashville – Deputy Postmaster General Pat Donahoe told attendees of the National Catalog Forum that “we need action around catalogs.”

With talk of an impending exigent rate case next year, Donahoe said it’s imperative that the U.S. Postal Service receives resolution involving two key issues: the requirement for the USPS to annually prefund about $5.4 billion from its operating budget for retiree health benefits — an annual payment through 2016 as dictated by the 2006 Postal Reform legislation.”

Full story: Live From the National Catalog Forum: Deputy PMG Wants Action for Catalogers.

“Linda Kingsley, SVP of strategy and transition for the US Postal Service, met with reporters at the National Postal Forum this afternoon to discuss the Government Accountability Office’s April 2010 report on the US Postal Service, which was released to Congress yesterday. The report is based on a required study by GAO to evaluate strategies and options for reforms of the USPS.

Full story: USPS official discusses GAO report, focusing on small businesses – DMNews.