Northern Virginia Postal Customer Council no http://www.novapcc.org/en/rss Mike Furey http://www.novapcc.org/tresources/en/images/icons/tendenci34x15.gif http://www.novapcc.org Copyright 2010 Northern Virginia Postal Customer Council Tendenci Association Software by Schipul - The Web Marketing Company en-us Mike Furey Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:32 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/54 <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/54"> <span class="summary">Voice of the Customer (V.O.C) General Membership Event</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100818T210000Z">18-Aug-10 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100819T000000Z">18-Aug-10 8:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> SoBe Bar & Bistro, Arlington, VA 22201</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><div> The NOVAPCC is proud to host a V.O.C General Membership/Networking event.&nbsp; What is V.O.C? It&#39;s &quot;Voice of the Customer&quot;! We want to hear from you. Tell us what educational seminars you want. What type of social/networking events interest you? Whether it&#39;s golf, bowling, evening social hour - we want your ideas. This is also a time to network with the executive board and other mailers.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> This is the event you won&#39;t want to miss! We&#39;re here for you! Tell us what you&#39;re looking for from the NOVAPCC to make your business even better.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The SoBe Bar &amp; Bistro is located in the courtyard right behind Mister Days. Enjoy an appetizer buffet and&nbsp;cash bar in a relaxed setting.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Register now!</div> </div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">SoBe Bar & Bistro <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">3100 Clarendon Blvd.</div> <span class="locality">Arlington</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22201</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/54 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/38 <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/38"> <span class="summary">Executive Mail Center Management</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100824T120000Z">24-Aug-10 8:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100826T200000Z">26-Aug-10 4:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Merrifield P & DC Room 108, Merrifield, VA 22081</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><div> The EMCM program is a comprehensive training program that was designed for individuals who wish to develop Mail Center Management skills.&nbsp; The EMCM program provides training specifically designed for mailing industry professional. the program teaches skills needed to manage more effectively, improve mail center safety and security, boost productivity, and cut costs.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS&#39; National Center for Employee Development has partnered with mailing industry professional to deliver this program, which includes 8 knowledge, or content areas.&nbsp; At the completion of the training, there will be a comprehensive exam. Here are&nbsp;the knowledge areas that will be covered in the program:</div> <div> 1. People Management</div> <div> 2. Managing Mail Center Operations</div> <div> 3. Sales &amp; Marketing</div> <div> 4. Mail Center Safety &amp; Security</div> <div> 5. Planning &amp; Managing Technology</div> <div> 6. Managing Mail Center Finances</div> <div> 7. Planning &amp; Policy Making</div> <div> 8. Total Quality Management</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Typically, the EMCM program is available through a 5 day residency course at the USPS NCED in Norman, OK for $1500 plus airfare. This year, the training is being sponsored by the NOVAPCC and is being offered to our members at a reduced rate.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Take advantage of this opportunity and become certified!</div> </div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield P & DC Room 108 <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/38 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/49 <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/49"> <span class="summary">Business Mail 101</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100909T130000Z">9-Sep-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100909T160000Z">9-Sep-10 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Merrifield Post Office/Room 108, Merrifield, VA 22081</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><div>Business Mail 101 provides you with an overview of mailing permits, mail piece design, mail preparation and mailing requirements.&nbsp; At the end of the training, attendees are invitied to tour the Merrifield facility.&nbsp; </div> <div>&nbsp;</div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield Post Office/Room 108 <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/49 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/53 <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/53"> <span class="summary">National PCC Day</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100915T113000Z">15-Sep-10 7:30 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100915T190000Z">15-Sep-10 3:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Center for Innovative Technology, Herndon, VA 20170</span> <br/> <span class="tspeaker">Speaker:</span> <span class="speaker">Timothy Haney</span><br> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><h2 class="storysubtitle"> Join us for a rewarding nationwide celebration of the role of PCCs in helping businesses succeed</h2> <div> This is the Northern Virginia Postal Customer Council&#39;s premier event of the year and one of the biggest mailing industry events of the year nationwide.&nbsp; This year&#39;s theme is the role of technology in the NOVA PCC and we are excited to have the iconic Center for Innovative Technology hosting our event once again!</div> <div> <img alt="" height="75" src="http://www.novapcc.org/attachments/wysiwyg/1/CIT_small.jpg" width="75" /></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> We will join PCCs across the nation&nbsp; with a keynote address by Postmaster General John Potter, broadcast live via satellite. On the broadcast you will hear from PCCs and businesses of all sizes on how they have benefited from participating in their local PCC.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Our on-site guest speaker is USPS Vice President of Capital Metro Area Operations, Timothy Haney. For those of you that were former members of the Washington Metropolitan Postal Customer Council (WMPCC), you may remember Haney as the Postal Cochair representing the Capital District. Haney has been a long time supporter of PCC. He understands the importance of customer relations and is very dedicated to the success of PCCs under his area of responsibility.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Mail service and providers and equipment vendors will be exhibiting at the event and will be available all day to answer questions about your mailing and shipping needs. Come and meet your suppliers or find new ones.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> On-site breakfast and lunch are included and door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. A grand prize drawing valued at $500 will be open to all attendees - but you must be present to win.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <strong style="color: red">Scheduled Workshops</strong></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <strong style="font-size: 12pt">Best Kept Secrets of the NCSC</strong></div> <div> Learn how the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) enables&nbsp;customers to better manage the quality of their mail lists.&nbsp; NCSC provides customers information on quality addressing, Move Update, change-of-address, Intelligent Mail Barcode and other postal products and services.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <strong style="font-size: 12pt">Business Customer Gateway</strong></div> <div> Hear how the Business Customer Gateway gives you a single, unified landing point to access the online business offerings from the Postal Service.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <span style="color: red">&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 14pt">Exhibitors as of&nbsp;July 26:</span></span></div> <div> <span style="color: red">&nbsp;</span></div> <div> <span style="color: red"><span style="color: #333333">&nbsp;- <span style="font-size: 12pt">Click2Mail</span> </span></span> <div> <span style="color: red"><span style="color: #333333">&nbsp;- <span style="font-size: 12pt">Brokers Worldwide</span></span></span></div> <div> <span style="color: red"><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- SCLogic</span></span></span></div> <div> <span style="color: red"><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- Freelance Technologies</span></span></span></div> <div> <span style="color: red"><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- DYMO Endicia</span></span></span></div> </div> <div> <span style="font-size: 18pt; color: red">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: red">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <strong><br> </strong></div> </div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Center for Innovative Technology <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">2214 Rock Hill Rd.</div> <span class="locality">Herndon</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">20170</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/53 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2581/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2581/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100805T130000Z">5-Aug-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100805T160000Z">5-Aug-10 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield Post Office/Room 108 <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2581/ Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2430/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2430/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100812T120000Z">12-Aug-10 8:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100812T130000Z">12-Aug-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm">http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2430/ Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2566/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2566/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100818T153000Z">18-Aug-10 11:30 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100818T170000Z">18-Aug-10 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield Post Office (Room 108) <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2566/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:30:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2431/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2431/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100826T120000Z">26-Aug-10 8:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100826T130000Z">26-Aug-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm">http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2431/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2432/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2432/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100909T120000Z">9-Sep-10 8:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100909T130000Z">9-Sep-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm">http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2432/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2567/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2567/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100915T153000Z">15-Sep-10 11:30 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100915T170000Z">15-Sep-10 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield Post Office (Room 108) <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2567/ Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:30:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2433/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2433/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100923T120000Z">23-Sep-10 8:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100923T130000Z">23-Sep-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm">http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2433/ Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2434/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2434/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20101007T120000Z">7-Oct-10 8:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20101007T130000Z">7-Oct-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm">http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2434/ Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2583/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2583/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20101007T130000Z">7-Oct-10 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20101007T160000Z">7-Oct-10 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield Post Office/Room 108 <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2583/ Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT Events http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2568/ <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2568/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20101020T153000Z">20-Oct-10 11:30 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20101020T170000Z">20-Oct-10 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Merrifield Post Office (Room 108) <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">8409 Lee Highway</div> <span class="locality">Merrifield</span>, <span class="region">VA</span> <span class="postal-code">22081</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/cev/r/dt/2568/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:30:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/917/ <div> USPS introduces several new incentives for mailers alongside proposed price increases<br> By:Mark Haslan<br> Overnight Prints</div> <div> <br> &nbsp;</div> <div> Earlier in July, the United States Postal Service announced plans to raise postal rates for the majority of its services. Should the proposal be passed, it would increase rates by around 6 percent, except for periodicals, standard mail parcels and media/library mail, which would grow by 8 percent, 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Though the initiative is designed to help the failing USPS return to profitability, many businesses that rely on direct mail were understandably upset. In response, the organization has announced a series of incentives that will help drive down costs on some campaigns.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The first initiative, called the &quot;Saturation Mail/High Density Incentive Program&quot; gives businesses rebates on postage. Discounts of up to 22 percent of regular saturation postage and 12 percent of high-density mail postage will be given to all companies that send 5 percent more mailers in 2010.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Saturation mail is commonly used by business owners to reach the greatest number of consumers possible, especially if they are targeting local customers. With the service, businesses can target up to 90 percent of residential addresses or 75 percent of business addresses on a single carrier route.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Additionally, the Postal Service will launch the &quot;Reply Rides Free&quot; service for businesses that use transactional mail to deliver marketing messages. Under the program, if a reply envelope is included within a mailer, the sender will be charged a reduced amount.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Because transactional messages have the highest open rate of any mail type, many businesses include offers with them to maximize exposure. For example, retailers could include a special offer alongside an invoice to encourage consumers to make an additional purchase. With the Reply Rides Free service, business owners will be able to capitalize on this offer type.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> These incentives, should they be passed by regulators, will go into effect on January 2, 2011, alongside the other proposals. The Postal Regulator Commission will decide whether to approve the new rates no later than October 4.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> For businesses looking for more immediate discounts, the USPS is currently running its second annual summer sale. Companies that send more than 105 percent of the volumes they mailed last summer, the USPS will refund 30 percent of the shipping costs. The promotion runs through September 30.<br> &nbsp;</div> <br><br>29-Jul-10 10:00 AM USPS introduces several new incentives for mailers alongside proposed price increases <div> USPS introduces several new incentives for mailers alongside proposed price increases<br> By:Mark Haslan<br> Overnight Prints</div> <div> <br> &nbsp;</div> <div> Earlier in July, the United States Postal Service announced plans to raise postal rates for the majority of its services. Should the proposal be passed, it would increase rates by around 6 percent, except for periodicals, standard mail parcels and media/library mail, which would grow by 8 percent, 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Though the initiative is designed to help the failing USPS return to profitability, many businesses that rely on direct mail were understandably upset. In response, the organization has announced a series of incentives that will help drive down costs on some campaigns.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The first initiative, called the &quot;Saturation Mail/High Density Incentive Program&quot; gives businesses rebates on postage. Discounts of up to 22 percent of regular saturation postage and 12 percent of high-density mail postage will be given to all companies that send 5 percent more mailers in 2010.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Saturation mail is commonly used by business owners to reach the greatest number of consumers possible, especially if they are targeting local customers. With the service, businesses can target up to 90 percent of residential addresses or 75 percent of business addresses on a single carrier route.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Additionally, the Postal Service will launch the &quot;Reply Rides Free&quot; service for businesses that use transactional mail to deliver marketing messages. Under the program, if a reply envelope is included within a mailer, the sender will be charged a reduced amount.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Because transactional messages have the highest open rate of any mail type, many businesses include offers with them to maximize exposure. For example, retailers could include a special offer alongside an invoice to encourage consumers to make an additional purchase. With the Reply Rides Free service, business owners will be able to capitalize on this offer type.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> These incentives, should they be passed by regulators, will go into effect on January 2, 2011, alongside the other proposals. The Postal Regulator Commission will decide whether to approve the new rates no later than October 4.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> For businesses looking for more immediate discounts, the USPS is currently running its second annual summer sale. Companies that send more than 105 percent of the volumes they mailed last summer, the USPS will refund 30 percent of the shipping costs. The promotion runs through September 30.<br> &nbsp;</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/917/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/916/ <div> Some senators expected to block Postal Service&#39;s proposal to limit mail delivery<br> By Associated Press<br> <a href="http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/28/AR2010072805790.html">Washngton Post</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said Wednesday that senators who oversee the U.S. Postal Service&#39;s budget will block a proposal by the head of that agency to drop Saturday mail delivery.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Postmaster General John E. Potter has urged the change to five-day mail delivery, saying that the cash-strapped post office won&#39;t survive without such a fundamental change to its operations.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Service is expected to lose $7 billion in this fiscal year, which ends in September. Potter has warned that the agency will lose hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade without Congress approving this and other changes.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> But Tester said in a statement that he had persuaded the Senate financial services appropriations subcommittee to oppose five-day mail delivery. He said that eliminating Saturday deliveries would not produce the major savings that Potter forecasts, while it would surely be a hardship on people living in rural areas.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &quot;Our proposal for five-day delivery is an important ingredient in the Postal Service&#39;s action plan to survive well into this century,&quot; said Gerald McKiernan, a Postal Service spokesman. &quot;We would hope other members of the Senate will resist this proposal.&quot;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The agency cannot cut services without Congress&#39;s agreement.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> To address its deficit, the Postal Service also wants to raise rates, to close or consolidate offices and to avoid annual prepayments for future retiree health care costs.</div> <br><br>29-Jul-10 7:00 AM Some senators expected to block Postal Service's proposal to limit mail delivery <div> Some senators expected to block Postal Service&#39;s proposal to limit mail delivery<br> By Associated Press<br> <a href="http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/28/AR2010072805790.html">Washngton Post</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said Wednesday that senators who oversee the U.S. Postal Service&#39;s budget will block a proposal by the head of that agency to drop Saturday mail delivery.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Postmaster General John E. Potter has urged the change to five-day mail delivery, saying that the cash-strapped post office won&#39;t survive without such a fundamental change to its operations.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Service is expected to lose $7 billion in this fiscal year, which ends in September. Potter has warned that the agency will lose hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade without Congress approving this and other changes.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> But Tester said in a statement that he had persuaded the Senate financial services appropriations subcommittee to oppose five-day mail delivery. He said that eliminating Saturday deliveries would not produce the major savings that Potter forecasts, while it would surely be a hardship on people living in rural areas.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &quot;Our proposal for five-day delivery is an important ingredient in the Postal Service&#39;s action plan to survive well into this century,&quot; said Gerald McKiernan, a Postal Service spokesman. &quot;We would hope other members of the Senate will resist this proposal.&quot;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The agency cannot cut services without Congress&#39;s agreement.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> To address its deficit, the Postal Service also wants to raise rates, to close or consolidate offices and to avoid annual prepayments for future retiree health care costs.</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/916/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/913/ <p> USPS pitches print catalogs<br> By Frank Washkuch<br> <a href="http://http://www.dmnews.com/usps-pitches-print-catalogs/article/175425/">DM News</a></p> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The US Postal Service (USPS) is targeting e-commerce merchants with an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the potential of print catalogs. The effort includes direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and web banner ads. The USPS created the campaign internally.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The &ldquo;Getting Started in Catalogs&rdquo; initiative emphasizes that companies can double online transactions and achieve revenue lifts of more than 100% by adding print extensions to their e-commerce operations. The DVDs feature testimonials from companies such as Zappos and Dell, which have translated online success to print catalogs.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &ldquo;The goal is to convince or persuade companies that have relied on the Internet to grow their businesses through catalogs. Many have gotten to a point where growth is limited,&rdquo; said Tom Foti, manager of marketing mail at the USPS. &ldquo;What we found was that many companies who went beyond the traditional online model, such as Zappos or Dell, when they expanded into print, their businesses grew in ways they had not thought of.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The direct mail element of the campaign, launched last month, incorporates Business Reply Mail.</div> <div> The three webinars were scheduled for July 20, July 28 and August 24. The Postal Service will follow up with companies that express interest, said Foti.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The organization also created an informational microsite for the initiative. Businesses can request more information from the USPS and order informational DVDs on the site. The USPS is also running Internet banner ads in online retail publications &ldquo;We see catalogs as a valuable part of the mail stream and an important part of what consumers want in their mailboxes,&rdquo; said Foti. &ldquo;There is a growth opportunity there. Although a lot of people see momentum going the other way, there is value in the consumer getting the catalog in the mailbox.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS, which saw a net loss of $3.8 billion last fiscal year, has asked the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to allow it to enact several rate increases in 2011.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> It has also asked the PRC and Congress for permission to reduce home delivery to five days per week. The possible service reduction has drawn the ire of catalogers and direct mailers, many of whom have said they will have to cut back on their mailing volumes as a result. The proposal has also drawn considerable blowback from the two major postal unions. The USPS has argued that the rate increases are necessary for restoringfinancial health to the organization.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Foti said that the USPS worked with the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) before it launched the campaign to hear the industry&#39;s ideas on encouraging the use of catalogs.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Hamilton Davison, president and executive director of the ACMA, said that his group&#39;s goal for the initiative is to raise catalog volumes and lower mailing costs, and also to increase consumer interest.</div> <div> &ldquo;The more interesting catalogs there are in the mail, the more interested catalog buyers there are,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You get hooked on the things you find interesting and exciting and that makes you pay attention to everything in the mailbox.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Davison added that e-retailers who have contacted the ACMA about launching catalogs are mainly trying to broaden their revenue streams.</div> <br><br>27-Jul-10 7:00 AM USPS pitches print catalogs <p> USPS pitches print catalogs<br> By Frank Washkuch<br> <a href="http://http://www.dmnews.com/usps-pitches-print-catalogs/article/175425/">DM News</a></p> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The US Postal Service (USPS) is targeting e-commerce merchants with an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the potential of print catalogs. The effort includes direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and web banner ads. The USPS created the campaign internally.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The &ldquo;Getting Started in Catalogs&rdquo; initiative emphasizes that companies can double online transactions and achieve revenue lifts of more than 100% by adding print extensions to their e-commerce operations. The DVDs feature testimonials from companies such as Zappos and Dell, which have translated online success to print catalogs.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &ldquo;The goal is to convince or persuade companies that have relied on the Internet to grow their businesses through catalogs. Many have gotten to a point where growth is limited,&rdquo; said Tom Foti, manager of marketing mail at the USPS. &ldquo;What we found was that many companies who went beyond the traditional online model, such as Zappos or Dell, when they expanded into print, their businesses grew in ways they had not thought of.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The direct mail element of the campaign, launched last month, incorporates Business Reply Mail.</div> <div> The three webinars were scheduled for July 20, July 28 and August 24. The Postal Service will follow up with companies that express interest, said Foti.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The organization also created an informational microsite for the initiative. Businesses can request more information from the USPS and order informational DVDs on the site. The USPS is also running Internet banner ads in online retail publications &ldquo;We see catalogs as a valuable part of the mail stream and an important part of what consumers want in their mailboxes,&rdquo; said Foti. &ldquo;There is a growth opportunity there. Although a lot of people see momentum going the other way, there is value in the consumer getting the catalog in the mailbox.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS, which saw a net loss of $3.8 billion last fiscal year, has asked the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to allow it to enact several rate increases in 2011.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> It has also asked the PRC and Congress for permission to reduce home delivery to five days per week. The possible service reduction has drawn the ire of catalogers and direct mailers, many of whom have said they will have to cut back on their mailing volumes as a result. The proposal has also drawn considerable blowback from the two major postal unions. The USPS has argued that the rate increases are necessary for restoringfinancial health to the organization.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Foti said that the USPS worked with the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) before it launched the campaign to hear the industry&#39;s ideas on encouraging the use of catalogs.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Hamilton Davison, president and executive director of the ACMA, said that his group&#39;s goal for the initiative is to raise catalog volumes and lower mailing costs, and also to increase consumer interest.</div> <div> &ldquo;The more interesting catalogs there are in the mail, the more interested catalog buyers there are,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You get hooked on the things you find interesting and exciting and that makes you pay attention to everything in the mailbox.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Davison added that e-retailers who have contacted the ACMA about launching catalogs are mainly trying to broaden their revenue streams.</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/913/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/914/ <div> USPS highlights effectiveness of catalogs to businesses<br> By: Mark Haslan<br> <a href="http://http://www.overnightprints.com/news/usps-highlights-effectiveness-of-catalogs-to-businesses-1025">Overnight Prints</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Direct mail is a robust marketing medium, with formats ranging from postcards to brochures, each with its own benefits. Now, the United States Postal Service is focusing on the sales potential of catalogs with a new initiative.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The campaign emphasizes the value of using catalogs to drive customers to businesses&rsquo; websites. According to the report, shoppers that receive direct mail from a company tend to spend more money per purchase. Direct mail recipients buy, on average, 4.1 items and spend $80 with a company, which is 0.8 items and $9 more than consumers who receive nothing. Companies that specifically used catalogs saw an even greater revenue lift, with customers spending nearly $20 more per purchase.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS asserts that catalogs have the greatest influence on prospective customers, with 70 percent visiting companies&rsquo; web pages after receiving one. Catalogs were also found to discourage comparison shopping by more than 10 percent. Additionally, customers were more likely to shop for gifts on websites of companies they had received catalogs from.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Additionally, businesses can use catalogs to strengthen their brands. The USPS says consumers who have received catalogs are more satisfied with business websites and their overall shopping experiences, and many are likely to recommend the company to others.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS is reaching business owners through direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and banner ads on the internet. The direct mail campaign was launched in June, while the webinars will be held on July 20, July 28 and August 24. Companies that express interest in generating new campaigns will be offered additional help from the Postal Service.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &quot;The goal is to convince or persuade companies that have relied on the internet to grow their businesses through catalogs. Many have gotten to a point where growth is limited,&quot; Tom Foti, manager of marketing mail at the US Postal Service, told DMNews. &quot;And what we found was that many companies who went beyond the traditional online model, such as Zappos or Dell, when they expanded into print, their businesses grew in ways they had not thought of.&quot;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS&rsquo; new campaign comes in the middle of its second annual summer sales. As a part of the program, businesses that send more than 105 percent of the mail they did last summer will receive a 33 percent discount. In order to be eligible, companies must have sent at least 350,000 mailers in the summer of 2009.<br> &nbsp;</div> <br><br>27-Jul-10 7:00 AM USPS highlights effectiveness of catalogs to businesses <div> USPS highlights effectiveness of catalogs to businesses<br> By: Mark Haslan<br> <a href="http://http://www.overnightprints.com/news/usps-highlights-effectiveness-of-catalogs-to-businesses-1025">Overnight Prints</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Direct mail is a robust marketing medium, with formats ranging from postcards to brochures, each with its own benefits. Now, the United States Postal Service is focusing on the sales potential of catalogs with a new initiative.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The campaign emphasizes the value of using catalogs to drive customers to businesses&rsquo; websites. According to the report, shoppers that receive direct mail from a company tend to spend more money per purchase. Direct mail recipients buy, on average, 4.1 items and spend $80 with a company, which is 0.8 items and $9 more than consumers who receive nothing. Companies that specifically used catalogs saw an even greater revenue lift, with customers spending nearly $20 more per purchase.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS asserts that catalogs have the greatest influence on prospective customers, with 70 percent visiting companies&rsquo; web pages after receiving one. Catalogs were also found to discourage comparison shopping by more than 10 percent. Additionally, customers were more likely to shop for gifts on websites of companies they had received catalogs from.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Additionally, businesses can use catalogs to strengthen their brands. The USPS says consumers who have received catalogs are more satisfied with business websites and their overall shopping experiences, and many are likely to recommend the company to others.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS is reaching business owners through direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and banner ads on the internet. The direct mail campaign was launched in June, while the webinars will be held on July 20, July 28 and August 24. Companies that express interest in generating new campaigns will be offered additional help from the Postal Service.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &quot;The goal is to convince or persuade companies that have relied on the internet to grow their businesses through catalogs. Many have gotten to a point where growth is limited,&quot; Tom Foti, manager of marketing mail at the US Postal Service, told DMNews. &quot;And what we found was that many companies who went beyond the traditional online model, such as Zappos or Dell, when they expanded into print, their businesses grew in ways they had not thought of.&quot;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The USPS&rsquo; new campaign comes in the middle of its second annual summer sales. As a part of the program, businesses that send more than 105 percent of the mail they did last summer will receive a 33 percent discount. In order to be eligible, companies must have sent at least 350,000 mailers in the summer of 2009.<br> &nbsp;</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/914/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/915/ <div> Affordable Mail Alliance to PRC: Dismiss Rate Hike Request<br> By Jim Tierney<br> <a href="http://http://multichannelmerchant.com/catalog/ama-seeks-rate-case-dismissal-0726/">Multichannel Merchant </a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Affordable Mail Alliance today asked the Postal Regulatory Commission to dismiss the U.S. Postal Services exigent rate hike proposal filed on July 6. AMA&rsquo;s motion argues that the rate hike--an average of 10 times the rate of inflation--violates the cost controls Congress put in place to protect consumers.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) limits the average postal rate hike to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). There is an exception to the CPI cap for &quot;exigent circumstances&quot; when the USPS cannot continue operating without overall price increases above the CPI.&nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The estimated price cap is 0.6%, while the average exigent price increase is 5.6%. Standard Mail flats or catalog rates would go up 5.1% if the rate case is passed and increases are implemented Jan. 2, 2011.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> According to AMA&rsquo;s motion, the USPS has not met the exigent test for several reasons. For one, economic downturns are a part of life and not &quot;extraordinary&quot; or &quot;exceptional&quot; circumstances. What&rsquo;s more, the trend toward Internet communications away from mail has been taking place over the past 15 years, giving the USPS years to prepare for the decline in volume.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> And since the recession began in December 2007 and caused sharp decreases in volume and revenue, competitors such as FedEx and UPS have had comparable or even greater declines. Those companies made the necessary and painful cuts in operating costs and capacity to increase productivity.&nbsp; The USPS did not and its productivity has fallen.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the authors of the PAEA, has said the proposed increases do not qualify for an exception under the standards established by Congress. Jerry Cerasale, senior vice president of government affairs for the Direct Marketing Association and member of the Affordable Mail Alliance, agrees, and says the case makes no economic sense.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Reasons for breaking the cap are not viable, Cerasale said during a conference call today. We believe the escape clause is for acts of God, Katrina, 9/11, Anthrax or something that disrupts the service of the USPS.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Cerasale, who noted the AMA has grown to 700 members in three weeks, said the AMA fears that if the PRC approves the exigent rate case, anytime during economic uncertainty the USPS could raise rates. This, he added would be the beginning of the end for the Postal Service.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> More and more volume will go away if rates go up, Cerasale said. Our members can&rsquo;t continue mailing with rate increases 10 times the rate of inflation.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> FedEx and UPS both saw drops in revenue, some steeper than USPS, Cerasale noted, yet they cut costs in 2009 three to four times more than the USPS cut costs, and they&rsquo;ve turned the corner and become profitable. We expect the Postal Service to emulate its competitors.</div> <br><br>27-Jul-10 7:00 AM Affordable Mail Alliance to PRC: Dismiss Rate Hike Request <div> Affordable Mail Alliance to PRC: Dismiss Rate Hike Request<br> By Jim Tierney<br> <a href="http://http://multichannelmerchant.com/catalog/ama-seeks-rate-case-dismissal-0726/">Multichannel Merchant </a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Affordable Mail Alliance today asked the Postal Regulatory Commission to dismiss the U.S. Postal Services exigent rate hike proposal filed on July 6. AMA&rsquo;s motion argues that the rate hike--an average of 10 times the rate of inflation--violates the cost controls Congress put in place to protect consumers.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) limits the average postal rate hike to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). There is an exception to the CPI cap for &quot;exigent circumstances&quot; when the USPS cannot continue operating without overall price increases above the CPI.&nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The estimated price cap is 0.6%, while the average exigent price increase is 5.6%. Standard Mail flats or catalog rates would go up 5.1% if the rate case is passed and increases are implemented Jan. 2, 2011.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> According to AMA&rsquo;s motion, the USPS has not met the exigent test for several reasons. For one, economic downturns are a part of life and not &quot;extraordinary&quot; or &quot;exceptional&quot; circumstances. What&rsquo;s more, the trend toward Internet communications away from mail has been taking place over the past 15 years, giving the USPS years to prepare for the decline in volume.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> And since the recession began in December 2007 and caused sharp decreases in volume and revenue, competitors such as FedEx and UPS have had comparable or even greater declines. Those companies made the necessary and painful cuts in operating costs and capacity to increase productivity.&nbsp; The USPS did not and its productivity has fallen.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the authors of the PAEA, has said the proposed increases do not qualify for an exception under the standards established by Congress. Jerry Cerasale, senior vice president of government affairs for the Direct Marketing Association and member of the Affordable Mail Alliance, agrees, and says the case makes no economic sense.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Reasons for breaking the cap are not viable, Cerasale said during a conference call today. We believe the escape clause is for acts of God, Katrina, 9/11, Anthrax or something that disrupts the service of the USPS.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Cerasale, who noted the AMA has grown to 700 members in three weeks, said the AMA fears that if the PRC approves the exigent rate case, anytime during economic uncertainty the USPS could raise rates. This, he added would be the beginning of the end for the Postal Service.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> More and more volume will go away if rates go up, Cerasale said. Our members can&rsquo;t continue mailing with rate increases 10 times the rate of inflation.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> FedEx and UPS both saw drops in revenue, some steeper than USPS, Cerasale noted, yet they cut costs in 2009 three to four times more than the USPS cut costs, and they&rsquo;ve turned the corner and become profitable. We expect the Postal Service to emulate its competitors.</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/915/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/912/ <div> How the U.S. Postal Service can save itself<br> By Paul B. Carroll and Chunka Mui<br> <a href="http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072204241.html">Washington Post</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The debate over potential changes at the U.S. Postal Service is like a fight over the dessert bar on the Titanic. Raising first-class postage rates and eliminating Saturday delivery won&#39;t matter much when the Postal Service hits the iceberg. And USPS will do just that, soon, unless there is a reimagining of its mission.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> First, the broad question must be asked: Should the federal government continue to compete against the private sector? The U.S. Postal Service has been losing money for years, whereas competitors FedEx and UPS are thriving.</div> <div> If the government is to remain in the delivery business, it must develop a workable plan for the digital age.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Service projects deficits of $238 billion -- roughly the current gross domestic product of Portugal -- through 2020. Raising rates slightly and reducing delivery would make tiny dents -- and that&#39;s the best possible outcome; in the worst, the changes would accelerate the service&#39;s problems. Meanwhile, the debate obscures the fact that digital communications are fast eliminating the need for mail delivery.</div> <div> To understand what could happen to the Postal Service, look at Kodak, whose 130-year history includes the kind of dominance that USPS long enjoyed. Even as the long-term threat from digital photography became clear in the 1990s, Kodak temporized. It tinkered with its traditional film, paper and chemicals businesses, never acknowledging that digital would all but eliminate them. Kodak continually predicted growth, even as it fell from being one of the most profitable companies in the world to one that&#39;s essentially worthless.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Service, too, is looking at the future as a variant of the present. USPS, convinced of the long-term need for physical mail delivery, has been relying on increases in volume, according to a Government Accountability Office report published in April. Yet delivery volume for first-class mail fell 22 percent from 1998 through 2007, tumbled an additional 13 percent last year and was down 3 percent in the first half of this year despite heavy mailings from the Census Bureau.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Step one in avoiding Kodak&#39;s fate is for the Postal Service to acknowledge that its future will have almost no connection to the present. Anything that can be conceived of as information will, in time, be sent electronically. The Internet is faster, cheaper and more convenient for the sender and the receiver.</div> <div> E-mail has already supplanted letters, but that&#39;s just the start. More people will send money via PayPal or other electronic services rather than mail checks. As is increasingly the case, people will download their movies and books, check their bills online, receive information about their investments electronically, and so on.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> USPS&#39;s future lies in things that need to be delivered physically: shoes, computers and other objects. On those items, the Internet can&#39;t compete, and USPS has assets that could let it take on UPS and FedEx (which, unencumbered by USPS&#39;s declining business, are in splendid shape; UPS reported Thursday that its second-quarter profit had nearly doubled, to $845 million, from a year earlier).</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> To build a workable future, USPS can&#39;t incrementally change its present. To span a chasm, you can&#39;t build a bridge one stick at a time. Instead, USPS needs to start with the future and work backward to the present. It needs to forecast volumes for all types of its business five, 10 and 15 years out and design a business model that will thrive under those scenarios. Only then can it figure out what radical changes need to be made now. In other words, USPS needs to first design the whole bridge, then build it.</div> <div> USPS must also monitor its various projections in coming years to see if it -- like Kodak -- is being too optimistic. USPS must be ready to adapt.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Defenders of the Postal Service argue that it is changing as fast as it can. They note that it has cut costs by more than $40 billion since 2002 and has reduced employment by 130,000 people since 2007, to 600,000. Radical change will face opposition from unions, big customers and its congressional overseers, who will feel enormous pressure to take short-term measures to protect jobs and have long acted parochially in opposing the closing of post offices and other service changes that could affect constituents. Consider that even changing the number of days of delivery requires amending a congressional statute.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Yet, those arguments are simply not enough. General Motors argued for years that it was improving quality and cutting costs as fast as it could in the face of huge obstacles. The market didn&#39;t care. GM&#39;s top speed wasn&#39;t fast enough.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> To avoid the fates of Kodak and General Motors, the Postal Service must learn from their failures. It must start by convincing Congress and other stakeholders that it is in the middle of a full-blown crisis. It can either lead change or be overrun by it.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Paul B. Carroll and Chunka Mui are co-authors of &quot;Billion-Dollar Lessons: What You Can Learn From the Most Inexcusable Business Failures of the Last 25 Years&quot; as well as principals in the management consulting firm Devil&#39;s Advocate Group.</div> <br><br>23-Jul-10 7:15 AM How the U.S. Postal Service can save itself <div> How the U.S. Postal Service can save itself<br> By Paul B. Carroll and Chunka Mui<br> <a href="http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072204241.html">Washington Post</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The debate over potential changes at the U.S. Postal Service is like a fight over the dessert bar on the Titanic. Raising first-class postage rates and eliminating Saturday delivery won&#39;t matter much when the Postal Service hits the iceberg. And USPS will do just that, soon, unless there is a reimagining of its mission.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> First, the broad question must be asked: Should the federal government continue to compete against the private sector? The U.S. Postal Service has been losing money for years, whereas competitors FedEx and UPS are thriving.</div> <div> If the government is to remain in the delivery business, it must develop a workable plan for the digital age.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Service projects deficits of $238 billion -- roughly the current gross domestic product of Portugal -- through 2020. Raising rates slightly and reducing delivery would make tiny dents -- and that&#39;s the best possible outcome; in the worst, the changes would accelerate the service&#39;s problems. Meanwhile, the debate obscures the fact that digital communications are fast eliminating the need for mail delivery.</div> <div> To understand what could happen to the Postal Service, look at Kodak, whose 130-year history includes the kind of dominance that USPS long enjoyed. Even as the long-term threat from digital photography became clear in the 1990s, Kodak temporized. It tinkered with its traditional film, paper and chemicals businesses, never acknowledging that digital would all but eliminate them. Kodak continually predicted growth, even as it fell from being one of the most profitable companies in the world to one that&#39;s essentially worthless.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The Postal Service, too, is looking at the future as a variant of the present. USPS, convinced of the long-term need for physical mail delivery, has been relying on increases in volume, according to a Government Accountability Office report published in April. Yet delivery volume for first-class mail fell 22 percent from 1998 through 2007, tumbled an additional 13 percent last year and was down 3 percent in the first half of this year despite heavy mailings from the Census Bureau.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Step one in avoiding Kodak&#39;s fate is for the Postal Service to acknowledge that its future will have almost no connection to the present. Anything that can be conceived of as information will, in time, be sent electronically. The Internet is faster, cheaper and more convenient for the sender and the receiver.</div> <div> E-mail has already supplanted letters, but that&#39;s just the start. More people will send money via PayPal or other electronic services rather than mail checks. As is increasingly the case, people will download their movies and books, check their bills online, receive information about their investments electronically, and so on.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> USPS&#39;s future lies in things that need to be delivered physically: shoes, computers and other objects. On those items, the Internet can&#39;t compete, and USPS has assets that could let it take on UPS and FedEx (which, unencumbered by USPS&#39;s declining business, are in splendid shape; UPS reported Thursday that its second-quarter profit had nearly doubled, to $845 million, from a year earlier).</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> To build a workable future, USPS can&#39;t incrementally change its present. To span a chasm, you can&#39;t build a bridge one stick at a time. Instead, USPS needs to start with the future and work backward to the present. It needs to forecast volumes for all types of its business five, 10 and 15 years out and design a business model that will thrive under those scenarios. Only then can it figure out what radical changes need to be made now. In other words, USPS needs to first design the whole bridge, then build it.</div> <div> USPS must also monitor its various projections in coming years to see if it -- like Kodak -- is being too optimistic. USPS must be ready to adapt.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Defenders of the Postal Service argue that it is changing as fast as it can. They note that it has cut costs by more than $40 billion since 2002 and has reduced employment by 130,000 people since 2007, to 600,000. Radical change will face opposition from unions, big customers and its congressional overseers, who will feel enormous pressure to take short-term measures to protect jobs and have long acted parochially in opposing the closing of post offices and other service changes that could affect constituents. Consider that even changing the number of days of delivery requires amending a congressional statute.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Yet, those arguments are simply not enough. General Motors argued for years that it was improving quality and cutting costs as fast as it could in the face of huge obstacles. The market didn&#39;t care. GM&#39;s top speed wasn&#39;t fast enough.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> To avoid the fates of Kodak and General Motors, the Postal Service must learn from their failures. It must start by convincing Congress and other stakeholders that it is in the middle of a full-blown crisis. It can either lead change or be overrun by it.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Paul B. Carroll and Chunka Mui are co-authors of &quot;Billion-Dollar Lessons: What You Can Learn From the Most Inexcusable Business Failures of the Last 25 Years&quot; as well as principals in the management consulting firm Devil&#39;s Advocate Group.</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/912/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:15:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/911/ <div> Direct mail ad revenue is on the rise<br> By Mark Haslan<br> <a href="http://http://www.overnightprints.com/news/direct-mail-ad-revenue-is-on-the-rise-1023">Overnight Prints</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <br> Mintel Comperemedia recently reported that direct mail volumes are on the rise, a sign that many businesses are renewing their marketing efforts after the economic recession caused many to focus on customer retention rather than acquisition.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Now, it seems this trend toward direct mail marketing will continue. A recent report from research firm MagnaGlobal indicates that direct mail will account for $19.17 billion in advertising revenue during 2010. This figure makes direct mail the top revenue generator tracked by the firm.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> This indicates mailers defy the general slowdown of other forms of direct media, including Yellow Pages, directories, and lead generation. During 2008 and 2009, the category rose sharply, with direct media collectively accounting for more than 25 percent of ad revenues in the United States. However, in the first quarter of 2010, many of the sub-sectors showed slower-than-anticipated growth.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The slowdown could be parially due to larger corporations shifting to new media. MagnaGlobal notes that direct media is still used by small and mid-size businesses. Additionally, with congressional elections in November and the Olympics earlier in the year, television spend was up considerably, resulting in less marketing dollars being put into direct media.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> MagnaGlobal projects that direct media growth will resume over the long-term as the economy continues to improve. Should the firm&rsquo;s forecasts hold true, direct mail revenue will increase by nearly half a million in 2011 to $19.6 billion, accounting for 11.4 percent of total ad expenditures.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Meanwhile, the greater advertising industry is seeing a spectacular bounce back, with MagnaGlobal expecting media suppliers to generate $169.9 billion in revenues. In response, the overall ad industry is now predicted to increase by 2.1 percent. Earlier in 2010, MagnaGlobal had predicted a 1.6 percent growth. Television is the largest format, while online is on the rise as well.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> For many consumers, postal mail largely influences their purchase decisions, which is why many business owners are increasing their direct mail budgets. A recent survey conducted by marketing firm Fleishman-Hillard found that postal mail is the most important source of information for many Americans, with 10 percent of U.S consumers deeming it &quot;absolutely essential&quot; or &quot;extremely important.&quot; Additionally, the average consumer spends two hours per week on average reading direct mail pieces.</div> <br><br>22-Jul-10 7:00 AM Direct mail ad revenue is on the rise <div> Direct mail ad revenue is on the rise<br> By Mark Haslan<br> <a href="http://http://www.overnightprints.com/news/direct-mail-ad-revenue-is-on-the-rise-1023">Overnight Prints</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <br> Mintel Comperemedia recently reported that direct mail volumes are on the rise, a sign that many businesses are renewing their marketing efforts after the economic recession caused many to focus on customer retention rather than acquisition.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Now, it seems this trend toward direct mail marketing will continue. A recent report from research firm MagnaGlobal indicates that direct mail will account for $19.17 billion in advertising revenue during 2010. This figure makes direct mail the top revenue generator tracked by the firm.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> This indicates mailers defy the general slowdown of other forms of direct media, including Yellow Pages, directories, and lead generation. During 2008 and 2009, the category rose sharply, with direct media collectively accounting for more than 25 percent of ad revenues in the United States. However, in the first quarter of 2010, many of the sub-sectors showed slower-than-anticipated growth.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The slowdown could be parially due to larger corporations shifting to new media. MagnaGlobal notes that direct media is still used by small and mid-size businesses. Additionally, with congressional elections in November and the Olympics earlier in the year, television spend was up considerably, resulting in less marketing dollars being put into direct media.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> MagnaGlobal projects that direct media growth will resume over the long-term as the economy continues to improve. Should the firm&rsquo;s forecasts hold true, direct mail revenue will increase by nearly half a million in 2011 to $19.6 billion, accounting for 11.4 percent of total ad expenditures.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Meanwhile, the greater advertising industry is seeing a spectacular bounce back, with MagnaGlobal expecting media suppliers to generate $169.9 billion in revenues. In response, the overall ad industry is now predicted to increase by 2.1 percent. Earlier in 2010, MagnaGlobal had predicted a 1.6 percent growth. Television is the largest format, while online is on the rise as well.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> For many consumers, postal mail largely influences their purchase decisions, which is why many business owners are increasing their direct mail budgets. A recent survey conducted by marketing firm Fleishman-Hillard found that postal mail is the most important source of information for many Americans, with 10 percent of U.S consumers deeming it &quot;absolutely essential&quot; or &quot;extremely important.&quot; Additionally, the average consumer spends two hours per week on average reading direct mail pieces.</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/911/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/910/ <div> Postal Service emphasizes value of catalogs to Internet retailers<br> By Frank Washkuch<br> <a href="http://http://www.dmnews.com/postal-service-emphasizes-value-of-catalogs-to-internet-retailers/article/174969/">DM News</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <br> The US Postal Service is targeting e-commerce merchants with an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the potential of print catalogs. The effort includes direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and web banner ads. The USPS created the campaign internally.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The &ldquo;Getting Started in Catalogs&rdquo; initiative emphasizes that companies can double online transactions and achieve revenue lifts of more than 100% by adding print extensions to their e-commerce operations. The DVDs feature testimonials from companies such as Zappos and Dell, which have translated online success to print catalogs.&nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &ldquo;The goal is to convince or persuade companies that have relied on the Internet to grow their businesses through catalogs. Many have gotten to a point where growth is limited,&rdquo; said Tom Foti, manager of marketing mail at the US Postal Service. &ldquo;And what we found was that many companies who went beyond the traditional online model, such as Zappos or Dell, when they expanded into print, their businesses grew in ways they had not thought of.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The direct mail element of the campaign, launched last month, incorporates Business Reply Mail.</div> <div> The three webinars were scheduled for July 20, July 28 and August 24. The Postal Service will follow up with companies that express interest, said Foti.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The organization also created an informational microsite for the initiative. Businesses can request more information from the USPS and order informational DVDs on the site. The USPS is also running Internet banner ads in online retail publications.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The US Postal Service, which saw a net loss of $3.8 billion last fiscal year, has asked the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to allow it to enact several rate increases for next year. It has also asked the PRC and Congress for permission to reduce home delivery to five days per week.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &ldquo;We see catalogs as a valuable part of the mail stream and an important part of what consumers want in their mailboxes,&rdquo; said Foti. &ldquo;There is a growth opportunity there. Although a lot of people see momentum going the other way, there is value in the consumer getting the catalog in the mailbox.&rdquo;</div> <br><br>21-Jul-10 8:00 AM Postal Service emphasizes value of catalogs to Internet retailers <div> Postal Service emphasizes value of catalogs to Internet retailers<br> By Frank Washkuch<br> <a href="http://http://www.dmnews.com/postal-service-emphasizes-value-of-catalogs-to-internet-retailers/article/174969/">DM News</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <br> The US Postal Service is targeting e-commerce merchants with an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the potential of print catalogs. The effort includes direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and web banner ads. The USPS created the campaign internally.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The &ldquo;Getting Started in Catalogs&rdquo; initiative emphasizes that companies can double online transactions and achieve revenue lifts of more than 100% by adding print extensions to their e-commerce operations. The DVDs feature testimonials from companies such as Zappos and Dell, which have translated online success to print catalogs.&nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &ldquo;The goal is to convince or persuade companies that have relied on the Internet to grow their businesses through catalogs. Many have gotten to a point where growth is limited,&rdquo; said Tom Foti, manager of marketing mail at the US Postal Service. &ldquo;And what we found was that many companies who went beyond the traditional online model, such as Zappos or Dell, when they expanded into print, their businesses grew in ways they had not thought of.&rdquo;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The direct mail element of the campaign, launched last month, incorporates Business Reply Mail.</div> <div> The three webinars were scheduled for July 20, July 28 and August 24. The Postal Service will follow up with companies that express interest, said Foti.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The organization also created an informational microsite for the initiative. Businesses can request more information from the USPS and order informational DVDs on the site. The USPS is also running Internet banner ads in online retail publications.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The US Postal Service, which saw a net loss of $3.8 billion last fiscal year, has asked the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to allow it to enact several rate increases for next year. It has also asked the PRC and Congress for permission to reduce home delivery to five days per week.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &ldquo;We see catalogs as a valuable part of the mail stream and an important part of what consumers want in their mailboxes,&rdquo; said Foti. &ldquo;There is a growth opportunity there. Although a lot of people see momentum going the other way, there is value in the consumer getting the catalog in the mailbox.&rdquo;</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/910/ Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/907/ <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Delivering the Future</strong></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>U.S. Postal Service&nbsp;Update </strong></span></div> <div> <a href="http://http://www.usps.com/communications/pccinsider/2010/pcc_0715.htm"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>PCC Insider </strong></span></a></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong><br> </strong>On March 2, when the Postal Service announced an ambitious action plan to ensure a viable Postal Service for the coming years, one message was crystal clear &mdash; there is no one answer to deliver the Postal Service from its current crisis.&nbsp; It has been four months and much has transpired. The Postal Service has published Update from the U.S. Postal Service on usps.com in Delivering the Future. Below is the Update which answers questions and comments about our plans for a revitalized USPS.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">It&rsquo;s being said that the current financial crisis the Postal Service is facing is a result of poor planning, and postal management should have seen this day coming long ago.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> The Postal Service has achieved cost savings of $1 billion per year every year since 2001; in 2009 the cost savings reached $6.1 billion by reducing its workforce by the equivalent of 65,000 full time employees. In fact, it was able to reduce its career workforce from an all time high of 802,970 in 1999 to today&rsquo;s 588,561, while focusing on improving service and growing postal products. The current economic crisis is historic and unprecedented, resulting in a 20 percent loss in mail volume in three years. We have been adjusting our operations and workforce to reflect declining volume loss.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Some are asserting that the current price increases the Postal Service has proposed are somehow illegal.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> On March 2, the Postal Service unveiled its ambitious action plan for the future, a plan designed to ensure a viable Postal Service for the country well into the future. One element of that plan was a modest price change to become effective in early 2011. On average, the proposal calls for a 5.6 percent increase, clearly permissible under the &ldquo;extraordinary or exceptional circumstances&rdquo; clause of the law. This &ldquo;exigent&rdquo; rate case would have some classes of mail see somewhat larger increases than the average and this is intended to move those classes closer to covering their costs as is required by law. Clearly, over the long run, no organization can continue to sell a product at a loss and the Postal Service is no exception.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">It&rsquo;s also being suggested that we wouldn&rsquo;t be in this fix if management had dealt with a bloated, overpaid postal workforce.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> In 1999, there were 802,970 career Postal employees, compared to today&rsquo;s workforce of 588,561 &mdash; a reduction of more than 215,000 employees. Salaries are set through collective bargaining agreements. In the absence of an agreement, the law requires that the two sides submit to binding arbitration. The Postal Service has been and will continue to address the cost of employee benefits through the collective bargaining process. For example, the Postal Service has reduced the employer contributions to health benefits by 1 percent per year for the life of the last collective bargaining agreement. Unfortunately, to date, we have been unable to effect a change in the law requiring that the financial state of the Postal Service be taken into account in interest arbitration awards. In the meantime, the Postal Service will continue to work with its unions to reach the best possible agreements for both parties.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Some are saying the Postal Service is not doing enough to structure its mail services to meet today&rsquo;s changing needs.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> Our action plan calls for continuing to modernize customer access by providing online services 24/7 and providing services at places more convenient to customers &mdash; grocery stores, pharmacies, retail centers, office supply stores, including Office Depot stores. Increasing and enhancing customer access through partnerships, self-service kiosks, and a world-class website, usps.com, while reducing costs also are underway. The necessary legislative and regulatory changes must be made to create the flexibility to introduce new non-postal products that reflect changing customer needs, generate needed revenue, and allow the Postal Service to compete more aggressively and fairly in the marketplace. Still, working within the confines of the existing law, we have been able to expand our partnership with eBay to include eBay China and we&rsquo;ve offered volume incentives for Standard Mail and First-Class Mail to encourage new business and reward our long-standing customers. The Postal Service of the future will look different, but it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">While acknowledging the action plan released on March 2, some think nothing&rsquo;s happened.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> We&rsquo;ve been very busy. In the four months since announcing the action plan we are on track to eliminate $3.5 billion in costs and have identified necessary steps to erase $123 billion in expenses over the next 10 years. Efforts to expand access to postal products and services include a partnership with Office Depot for package services and with the U.S. Department of Commerce to streamline processes for small businesses to ship internationally. Revenue generating initiatives include two mail volume incentives to encourage growth in highly profitable saturation and standard mail. And the Postal Service filed a formal proposal with the Postal Regulatory Commission to move to a five-day delivery schedule and successfully moved a percentage of Post Office boxes into the competitive side of our business, allowing us to compete head on with UPS and private sector companies while providing new opportunities for customers. We&rsquo;ve also created new opportunities for mailers to improve response rates on direct mail pieces by implementing standards for attachments. We added new options to increase the number of ways mailers can design booklets that are more appealing to recipients. Most recently, after working with the periodicals community, we expanded the content eligibility so that magazines could include supplements that reach an even broader customer base.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">It&rsquo;s been suggested that Postal Service should be broadening its customer base rather that increasing its prices.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> The following initiatives have been announced or expanded since the beginning of March, when the Postal Service announced its action plan: an export agreement for shipping services with eBay China, pharmaceutical recycling through the mail with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, expansion of the number of Post Offices accepting passport applications, launch of partnership with U.S. Department of Commerce targeting small- and medium-sized businesses to help them expand to international markets, &ldquo;Reply Rides Free&rdquo; incentive for marketers and advertisers who use First-Class Mail, expansion of the Saturation Mail incentive program to include High Density advertisers, as well as the Summer Sale for Standard Mail. RFPs are being sought today to help small- and medium-sized businesses more easily use and benefit from direct mail.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Some are saying that if the Congress would only fix the Retiree Health Benefit Fund prepayment, the Postal Service&rsquo;s troubles would be over.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> When on March 2, the Postal Service announced its action plan for the future, there was one message that was crystal clear: there is no one answer that would deliver the Postal Service from its current crisis. The Postmaster General was emphatic: it would take a suite of solutions to right the ship and position the Postal Service for future. A restructuring of retiree health benefit payments was one element but there was more: adjust delivery days to better reflect mail volumes and customer habits, permit the Postal Service to evaluate and introduce new products so that we can respond to changing customer needs, allow prices for mailing services to be based on demand for individual products, and yes, as discussed on March 2, a modest exigent price increase to be effective in 2011. A one- or two-year deferral of RHB is still insufficient to close the financial gap. Five-day delivery and the exigent case would still be necessary to stay within the borrowing limits.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The Postal Service shouldn&rsquo;t think they&rsquo;re prevented by Congress from closing money losing Post Offices; they should just close them and that goes for other redundant facilities as well.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> In fact, the Postal Service is absolutely prohibited by Congress from closing Post Offices based solely on economic circumstances. Put simply: we cannot close Post Offices that don&rsquo;t generate enough revenue to cover there expenses. There are 26,000 Post Offices with expenses that exceed revenue. The Postal Service is asking for legislative and regulatory change that would give us the authority to close these Post Offices. Until then, we will continue to modernize and expand customer access by providing services more convenient to customers &mdash; grocery stores, pharmacies, retail centers, office supply stores &mdash; and increase and enhance customer access through partnerships, self-service kiosks and a world-class website, usps.com, while reducing costs. In those instances where the Postal Service is given control over closing facilities, we have done just that. In 2009 alone, we closed nine Airmail Centers, transferring those operations to other facilities and completed the streamlined National Distribution Center delivery system. Almost 40 consolidations of Area Mail Processing plants have been completed and 22 more are in process. </span></div> <br><br>20-Jul-10 11:00 AM Delivering the Future <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Delivering the Future</strong></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>U.S. Postal Service&nbsp;Update </strong></span></div> <div> <a href="http://http://www.usps.com/communications/pccinsider/2010/pcc_0715.htm"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>PCC Insider </strong></span></a></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong><br> </strong>On March 2, when the Postal Service announced an ambitious action plan to ensure a viable Postal Service for the coming years, one message was crystal clear &mdash; there is no one answer to deliver the Postal Service from its current crisis.&nbsp; It has been four months and much has transpired. The Postal Service has published Update from the U.S. Postal Service on usps.com in Delivering the Future. Below is the Update which answers questions and comments about our plans for a revitalized USPS.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">It&rsquo;s being said that the current financial crisis the Postal Service is facing is a result of poor planning, and postal management should have seen this day coming long ago.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> The Postal Service has achieved cost savings of $1 billion per year every year since 2001; in 2009 the cost savings reached $6.1 billion by reducing its workforce by the equivalent of 65,000 full time employees. In fact, it was able to reduce its career workforce from an all time high of 802,970 in 1999 to today&rsquo;s 588,561, while focusing on improving service and growing postal products. The current economic crisis is historic and unprecedented, resulting in a 20 percent loss in mail volume in three years. We have been adjusting our operations and workforce to reflect declining volume loss.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Some are asserting that the current price increases the Postal Service has proposed are somehow illegal.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> On March 2, the Postal Service unveiled its ambitious action plan for the future, a plan designed to ensure a viable Postal Service for the country well into the future. One element of that plan was a modest price change to become effective in early 2011. On average, the proposal calls for a 5.6 percent increase, clearly permissible under the &ldquo;extraordinary or exceptional circumstances&rdquo; clause of the law. This &ldquo;exigent&rdquo; rate case would have some classes of mail see somewhat larger increases than the average and this is intended to move those classes closer to covering their costs as is required by law. Clearly, over the long run, no organization can continue to sell a product at a loss and the Postal Service is no exception.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">It&rsquo;s also being suggested that we wouldn&rsquo;t be in this fix if management had dealt with a bloated, overpaid postal workforce.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> In 1999, there were 802,970 career Postal employees, compared to today&rsquo;s workforce of 588,561 &mdash; a reduction of more than 215,000 employees. Salaries are set through collective bargaining agreements. In the absence of an agreement, the law requires that the two sides submit to binding arbitration. The Postal Service has been and will continue to address the cost of employee benefits through the collective bargaining process. For example, the Postal Service has reduced the employer contributions to health benefits by 1 percent per year for the life of the last collective bargaining agreement. Unfortunately, to date, we have been unable to effect a change in the law requiring that the financial state of the Postal Service be taken into account in interest arbitration awards. In the meantime, the Postal Service will continue to work with its unions to reach the best possible agreements for both parties.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Some are saying the Postal Service is not doing enough to structure its mail services to meet today&rsquo;s changing needs.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> Our action plan calls for continuing to modernize customer access by providing online services 24/7 and providing services at places more convenient to customers &mdash; grocery stores, pharmacies, retail centers, office supply stores, including Office Depot stores. Increasing and enhancing customer access through partnerships, self-service kiosks, and a world-class website, usps.com, while reducing costs also are underway. The necessary legislative and regulatory changes must be made to create the flexibility to introduce new non-postal products that reflect changing customer needs, generate needed revenue, and allow the Postal Service to compete more aggressively and fairly in the marketplace. Still, working within the confines of the existing law, we have been able to expand our partnership with eBay to include eBay China and we&rsquo;ve offered volume incentives for Standard Mail and First-Class Mail to encourage new business and reward our long-standing customers. The Postal Service of the future will look different, but it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">While acknowledging the action plan released on March 2, some think nothing&rsquo;s happened.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> We&rsquo;ve been very busy. In the four months since announcing the action plan we are on track to eliminate $3.5 billion in costs and have identified necessary steps to erase $123 billion in expenses over the next 10 years. Efforts to expand access to postal products and services include a partnership with Office Depot for package services and with the U.S. Department of Commerce to streamline processes for small businesses to ship internationally. Revenue generating initiatives include two mail volume incentives to encourage growth in highly profitable saturation and standard mail. And the Postal Service filed a formal proposal with the Postal Regulatory Commission to move to a five-day delivery schedule and successfully moved a percentage of Post Office boxes into the competitive side of our business, allowing us to compete head on with UPS and private sector companies while providing new opportunities for customers. We&rsquo;ve also created new opportunities for mailers to improve response rates on direct mail pieces by implementing standards for attachments. We added new options to increase the number of ways mailers can design booklets that are more appealing to recipients. Most recently, after working with the periodicals community, we expanded the content eligibility so that magazines could include supplements that reach an even broader customer base.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">It&rsquo;s been suggested that Postal Service should be broadening its customer base rather that increasing its prices.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> The following initiatives have been announced or expanded since the beginning of March, when the Postal Service announced its action plan: an export agreement for shipping services with eBay China, pharmaceutical recycling through the mail with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, expansion of the number of Post Offices accepting passport applications, launch of partnership with U.S. Department of Commerce targeting small- and medium-sized businesses to help them expand to international markets, &ldquo;Reply Rides Free&rdquo; incentive for marketers and advertisers who use First-Class Mail, expansion of the Saturation Mail incentive program to include High Density advertisers, as well as the Summer Sale for Standard Mail. RFPs are being sought today to help small- and medium-sized businesses more easily use and benefit from direct mail.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Some are saying that if the Congress would only fix the Retiree Health Benefit Fund prepayment, the Postal Service&rsquo;s troubles would be over.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> When on March 2, the Postal Service announced its action plan for the future, there was one message that was crystal clear: there is no one answer that would deliver the Postal Service from its current crisis. The Postmaster General was emphatic: it would take a suite of solutions to right the ship and position the Postal Service for future. A restructuring of retiree health benefit payments was one element but there was more: adjust delivery days to better reflect mail volumes and customer habits, permit the Postal Service to evaluate and introduce new products so that we can respond to changing customer needs, allow prices for mailing services to be based on demand for individual products, and yes, as discussed on March 2, a modest exigent price increase to be effective in 2011. A one- or two-year deferral of RHB is still insufficient to close the financial gap. Five-day delivery and the exigent case would still be necessary to stay within the borrowing limits.</span></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> <em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The Postal Service shouldn&rsquo;t think they&rsquo;re prevented by Congress from closing money losing Post Offices; they should just close them and that goes for other redundant facilities as well.</span></strong></em></div> <div> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br> In fact, the Postal Service is absolutely prohibited by Congress from closing Post Offices based solely on economic circumstances. Put simply: we cannot close Post Offices that don&rsquo;t generate enough revenue to cover there expenses. There are 26,000 Post Offices with expenses that exceed revenue. The Postal Service is asking for legislative and regulatory change that would give us the authority to close these Post Offices. Until then, we will continue to modernize and expand customer access by providing services more convenient to customers &mdash; grocery stores, pharmacies, retail centers, office supply stores &mdash; and increase and enhance customer access through partnerships, self-service kiosks and a world-class website, usps.com, while reducing costs. In those instances where the Postal Service is given control over closing facilities, we have done just that. In 2009 alone, we closed nine Airmail Centers, transferring those operations to other facilities and completed the streamlined National Distribution Center delivery system. Almost 40 consolidations of Area Mail Processing plants have been completed and 22 more are in process. </span></div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/907/ Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/909/ <div> Mail Holds Own As Top DM Channel &ndash; For Now<br> By Richard H. Levey<br> <a href="http://http://directmag.com/mail/news/mail-top-direct-channel-0720/">Direct</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Direct mail will account for $19.17 billion in media supplier advertising revenue during 2010, making it the top revenue generator tracked by forecasting firm MagnaGlobal.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> But combined spending on online direct and local digital marketing will reach parity with it this year, and will surpass it in 2011.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> In 2010, total supplier ad revenue will amount to $169.1 billion, and direct mail will make up 11.3% of that, according to MagnaGlobal. At $15.4 billion, direct online will account for 9.1%. But local digital and online revenue is tracked separately. Add $3.7 billion from local digital, and online is estimated as generating only slightly less than mail.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> If forecasts hold, 2011 will provide a watershed moment in which local digital and direct online ad revenue will total $21.1 billion, or 12.3% of the $171.2 billion in supplier revenue MagnaGlobal anticipates. In contrast, direct mail will account for $19.6 million, or 11.4% of total spending.</div> <div> Online marketing&rsquo;s increases come even with weakness in the online classified sector serving as an anchor, according to MagnaGlobal.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> MagnaGlobal counts direct mail, online direct and directory spending, but not local digital, in its direct calculations. Last year, the $42.8 billion direct spending generated made up 26.2% of total supplier ad revenue.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The $43.6 billion foreseen this year will amount to 25.8%, but the anticipated $45.1 billion in 2011 will pull direct&rsquo;s percentage back up to 26.3%.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Why the dip this year? Spending on the summer Olympics, combined with the congressional elections this November, will boost television revenue faster than direct response channels&rsquo; revenue. During 2010, local and national TV spending jumped to $53.84 billion from $50.57 billion.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> MagnaGlobal&rsquo;s predictions are based on several assumptions, including continuing, if unspectacular, improvements in the economy and no &ldquo;double dip&rdquo; recession.</div> <br><br>20-Jul-10 11:00 AM Mail Holds Own As Top DM Channel – For Now <div> Mail Holds Own As Top DM Channel &ndash; For Now<br> By Richard H. Levey<br> <a href="http://http://directmag.com/mail/news/mail-top-direct-channel-0720/">Direct</a></div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Direct mail will account for $19.17 billion in media supplier advertising revenue during 2010, making it the top revenue generator tracked by forecasting firm MagnaGlobal.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> But combined spending on online direct and local digital marketing will reach parity with it this year, and will surpass it in 2011.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> In 2010, total supplier ad revenue will amount to $169.1 billion, and direct mail will make up 11.3% of that, according to MagnaGlobal. At $15.4 billion, direct online will account for 9.1%. But local digital and online revenue is tracked separately. Add $3.7 billion from local digital, and online is estimated as generating only slightly less than mail.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> If forecasts hold, 2011 will provide a watershed moment in which local digital and direct online ad revenue will total $21.1 billion, or 12.3% of the $171.2 billion in supplier revenue MagnaGlobal anticipates. In contrast, direct mail will account for $19.6 million, or 11.4% of total spending.</div> <div> Online marketing&rsquo;s increases come even with weakness in the online classified sector serving as an anchor, according to MagnaGlobal.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> MagnaGlobal counts direct mail, online direct and directory spending, but not local digital, in its direct calculations. Last year, the $42.8 billion direct spending generated made up 26.2% of total supplier ad revenue.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> The $43.6 billion foreseen this year will amount to 25.8%, but the anticipated $45.1 billion in 2011 will pull direct&rsquo;s percentage back up to 26.3%.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> Why the dip this year? Spending on the summer Olympics, combined with the congressional elections this November, will boost television revenue faster than direct response channels&rsquo; revenue. During 2010, local and national TV spending jumped to $53.84 billion from $50.57 billion.</div> <div> &nbsp;</div> <div> MagnaGlobal&rsquo;s predictions are based on several assumptions, including continuing, if unspectacular, improvements in the economy and no &ldquo;double dip&rdquo; recession.</div> no http://www.novapcc.org/en/art/909/ Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.novapcc.org/en/rel/5/ <div><font face="Arial">The national PCC group at US Postal Service HQ is seeking your opinions, ideas and feedback regarding PCC's.&nbsp; If you are an industry member of the NOVA PCC, the Postal Service wants to hear your thoughts!&nbsp; Join the national PCC team on a 1 hour NOVA PCC webinar/conference call on Tuesday, September 1st at 10AM.&nbsp;</font></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Express your thoughts and opinions regarding Postal Customer Councils during this exclusive NOVA PCC focus group hosted by the national PCC group at US Postal Service Headquarters.&nbsp; There is no fee, all we ask is for 1 hour to hear your thoughts as well as those of other NOVA PCC Industry members.&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact Ellen Regan, national focus group coordinator, at <a href="&#109;&#97;&#105;&#108;&#116;&#111;&#58;&#101;&#108;&#108;&#101;&#110;&#46;&#108;&#46;&#114;&#101;&#103;&#97;&#110;&#64;&#117;&#115;&#112;&#115;&#46;&#103;&#111;&#118;">ellen.l.regan@usps.gov</a> to be included in this important session.<br> </div> <div>Reserve your spot now - the first ten industry members to respond will be guaranteed a spot!<br> </div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/rel/5/ noemail@novapcc.org Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:00:00 GMT Release http://www.novapcc.org/en/rel/4/ <div align="center"><img alt="" src="../../attachments/wysiwyg/347/pcc_edit.png" border="0" height="535" width="401" /></div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/rel/4/ noemail@novapcc.org Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:00:00 GMT Release http://www.novapcc.org/en/rel/1/ WASHINGTON — The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service have approved new prices for mailing services, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. Prices for mailing services are reviewed annually and adjusted each May. The new prices will go into effect Monday, May 11. Customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing the Forever Stamp before May 11. Forever Stamps were developed to help consumers ease the transition during price changes. Forever Stamps do not have a denomination and will be honored whenever they are used with no need for additional postage for a one-ounce letter mailing. On May 11 the price of the Forever Stamp will be 44 cents. The new prices are available at usps.com/prices. Rising operational costs make the price adjustments necessary; the increase tracks the 2008 rate of inflation. The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across America today,... http://www.novapcc.org/en/rel/1/ noemail@novapcc.org Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:45:00 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/en/cms/1/ Welcome to the home of the Postal Customer Council (PCC) of Northern Virginia, a postal-sponsored, not-for-profit membership organization serving members of the mailing industry since 2007. Membership is open to all business mailers and representatives of the mailing industry as well as Northern Virginia Postal Service employees. We welcome commercial mailers, non-profit organizations, service bureaus, and other types of business enterprises that use the mail, including individuals and sole proprietorship. Members gain instant access to USPS sponsored information as well as discounts on PCC events and training courses. We invite you to join today to enjoy the benefits of membership as described in the About Us section. If you are not sure you are ready to join. sign up for a user ID and we&#39;ll notify you about events and training as they are scheduled. If you have any questions, use the contact link above. ... http://www.novapcc.org/en/cms/1/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:21:28 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/links/ Local PCC Mail Service Providers Mail Service Providers (MSPs) offer a full range of services, including designing, writing, printing, and sending your Direct Mail. Find a list of MSP&#8217;s by clicking on the link above. RIBBS This is the website of the USPS National Customer Support Center. Here you will find everything you need to know about Intelligent Mail and Address Quality. Postal Explorer (USPS) Postal Explorer is a virtual library of postal information designed for business mailers. It puts a wealth of postal information at your fingertips in an easy-to-use format. The powerful search feature lets you quickly find information in a single publication or across a range of publications. National Mail Service Updates Information on this site is provided for mailers with plant-verified drop shipments going to postal facilities that are closed or have mail entry limits because of natural disasters or severe weather... http://www.novapcc.org/links/ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:26:31 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/join-nova-pcc/ Why join? As a member of the NOVA Postal Customer Councils you will have direct access to local postal leadership as well as unparalleled opportunities to network with others in the mailing industry. NOVA PCC certificate programs, educational seminars and vendor displays help members to grow professionally and become more successful in the mailing industry. Corporate sponsorships increase the awareness and recognition of members and their companies involvement in the mission of the NOVA PCC. Register for a corporate membership and be recognized as a leader in the mailing industry. Which PCC to join? Two individual Postal Customer Councils (PCCs) serve the geographic areas of the Northern Virginia District, allowing all members to be active in a PCC close to the area where they live or do business. The two NOVA PCCs are: NOVA Metro 201, 220-223 NOVA Shenandoah 226-227 Join either one of of these NOVA PCCs today in order to obtain the most benefit to... http://www.novapcc.org/join-nova-pcc/ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:26:06 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/history/ The Postal Customer Council (PCC) program began more than 30 years ago with the formation of local mail users councils. The Post Office Department organized the councils to improve communication between postal customers and local postal managers. The councils' rallying call was a "Mail Entry" campaign, designed to regulate the flow of local mail.<br> <br> The concept of working with customers to get mail earlier in the day was realized through the Mail Early campaign and the creation of mail users councils, also known as "Citizens Advisory Councils." The name "Mail Users Councils" lasted for nearly a decade until it was changed in 1971 to "Postal Customer Council".<br> <br> Once postal customers and local postal managers began working together under the council framework, both groups found that many problems could be resolved easily. The importance of postal customer councils has grown since the early 1970s. Through regular meetings, mailer clinics, and seminars, PCC members are kept abreast of the latest postal developments and work closely with local post offices to make mail services more efficient.<br> <br> The Postal Service stands behind the PCC program, an important avenue for improving service and understanding mailers' needs.<br> <br> <div> <h2>Future of the PCC</h2> </div> The Postal Customer Council (PCC) will continue to grow and prosper by introducing the latest developments in the mailing industry to its members. This will be done through workshops, seminars, tours, tradeshows, etc and much more. http://www.novapcc.org/history/ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:25:40 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/about-us/ <div>The Northern Virginia Postal Customer Council is an organization that works with the United States Postal Service and postal customers to facilitate understanding about mailing and postal regulations between business customers and the postal service.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div> <div> <h2>Mission</h2> </div> <div> <ul> <li>Help PCC members and their organizations grow and develop professionally through focused educational programs.</li> <br> <li>Promote local cooperation, support, and foster close working relations between the U. S. Postal Service and the business mailing community.</li> <br> <li>Share information and facilitate the exchange of ideas about new and existing Postal Service products, programs and procedures.&nbsp; </li> </ul> <div> <h2>Local PCC's<br> </h2> </div> <div> <div>The Northern Virginia PCC consists of 2 PCC's divided geographically.</div> <ul> <li><a target="_self" href="/nova-metro-pcc">NOVA Metro PCC</a> - Serving all Zip Codes in 201 and 220 - 223</li> <br> <li><a target="_self" href="/shenandoah-valley-pcc">Shenandoah Valley PCC</a> - Serving all Zip Codes in 226 - 227</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> http://www.novapcc.org/about-us/ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:25:22 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/dulles-pcc/ Listed below are the Executive Committee members for the Dulles PCC. There are plenty of positions for members to be involved on the Committee. Contact any member of the Executive Committee to volunteer. VACANT Industry Co-Chair Dale Cornett Postal Co-Chair On-Line Website Chair (Postal) USPS, Postmaster, Leesburg, VA 25 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg, VA 20175-9998 (703) 669-3755 dale.a.cornett@usps.gov VACANT Membership Chair JoAnn Poland Registration Co-Chair NALC Health Benefit Plan Vacant Sponsorship Chair VACANT Secretary VACANT Programming Chair VACANT Education Chair Sue... http://www.novapcc.org/dulles-pcc/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:00:12 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/ppc-facts/ <h2>A Postal Customer Council is organized at the local community level to</h2> <ul> <li>Establish a means of regular communication between postal customers and local postal managers.</li> <br> <li>Provide opportunities for the exchange of ideas and suggestions.</li> <br> <li>Ensure that postal customers are aware of the latest in postal services and rates.</li> <br> <li>Assist customers in improving their internal mail operations.</li> <br> <li>Create a better understanding of the Postal Service through business meetings, mailer clinics, mailing seminars, tours of postal facilities and visits to other customers' plants.</li> <br> <li>Provide information necessary for customers to make the most effective and efficient use of postal services and products.</li> <br> <li>Provide an organized way for postal speakers to present postal programs to customers groups.</li> </ul> http://www.novapcc.org/ppc-facts/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:14:37 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/shenandoah-valley-pcc/ <div>Listed below are the Executive Committee members for the Shenandoah Valley PCC.&nbsp; There are plenty of positions for members to be involved on the Committee.&nbsp; Contact any member of the Executive Committee to volunteer.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>Tori Blackburn</strong></div> <div><strong>SHENANDOAH Industry Co-Chair<br> </strong>Shenandoah University<br> <a href="tblackbu@su.edu" target="_blank">tblackbu@su.edu</a><br> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>&nbsp;Judy O’Hara</strong></div> <div><strong>SHENANDOAH Postal Co-Chair</strong></div> USPS, Postmaster Winchester<br> <div><a href="udy.ohara@usps.gov " target="_blank">judy.ohara@usps.gov </a></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> http://www.novapcc.org/shenandoah-valley-pcc/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:55:45 GMT Content Managers http://www.novapcc.org/en/cms/26/ Lee Garvey Industry Co-Chair Click2Mail 3103 10th Street N. Suite 201 Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 521-9029, ext. 101 lgarvey@click2mail.com John Budzynski Postal Co-Chair Postmaster, Alexandria, VA 1100 Wythe Street Alexandria, VA 22313-9998 (703) 684-7168 john.f.budzynski@usps.gov Donald Griffin, EMCM Registration Chair Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. 8283 Greensboro Drive McLean, VA 22102-3838 (703) 377-4320 griffin_donald@bah.com Isacc M. Webb, CMDSM, EMCM Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. 8283 Greensboro Drive McLean, VA 22102-3838 (703) 902-5930 Fax - (703) 902-3530 ... http://www.novapcc.org/en/cms/26/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:31:42 GMT Survey http://www.novapcc.org/en/sur/?4 Objectives: <div>This survey was created to solicit&nbsp;&nbsp;feedback&nbsp;regarding 5-day mail&nbsp;delivery as proposed by the Postmaster General&nbsp;March 2. Your participation is appreciated. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><br><br>Release Date: 10-Mar-10 2:00 PM<br>Expiration Date: 31-May-10 2:00 PM<br><div>Please select the appropriate answer&nbsp;to the questions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div> http://www.novapcc.org/en/sur/?4 noemail@novapcc.org Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:00:00 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/376/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/376/DSC07222-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07222 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/376/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/375/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/375/DSC07221-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07221 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/375/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/374/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/374/DSC07218-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07218 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/374/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/373/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/373/DSC07217-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07217 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/373/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/372/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/372/DSC07216-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07216 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/372/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/371/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/371/DSC07214-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07214 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/371/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/370/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/370/DSC07213-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07213 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/370/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/369/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/369/DSC07212-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07212 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/369/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/368/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/368/DSC07211-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07211 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/368/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT photos http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/367/ <img src ="http://www.novapcc.org/tpeople/wwwnovapcc4.1/jennifer.d.williams@usps.gov/photos/367/DSC07210-m.JPG" /><br>File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. <br><br> DSC07210 File uploaded by Jennifer Williams. http://www.novapcc.org/en/photos/v/367/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:45:33 GMT Courses http://www.novapcc.org/en/courses/view.asp?courseid=1
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