– by guest author Christopher O’Brien, President, BCC Software Under the leadership of PMG Louis DeJoy, the USPS® is actively implementing bold and necessary changes to the largest postal delivery network in the world as part of their Delivering For America (DFA) plan. When completed, it will transform an outdated, costly, and inefficient system into an optimized and enhanced integrated…
Read MoreYear: 2024
Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers Urges PRC to Reject USPS Price Filing
Earlier today, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers filed comments with the Postal Regulatory Commission urging that the Postal Service’s April 9 price filing be rejected. In a statement issued shortly after, the Alliance explained its action: May 6, 2024
Read MoreProblem-Solving Steps Used by Leading Companies
Printing and mailing operations are examples of custom manufacturing, and companies that are leaders create a culture of problem-solving. McKinsey & Company asserts that when companies actively involve their employees in problem-solving on a daily basis, it leads to increased motivation, improved job performance, enhanced organizational performance, and sets in motion a virtuous cycle. This approach unlocks immense potential for…
Read MoreUSPS Files for Rate Increase
On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the USPS filed its Notice of Market-Dominant Price Change with the PRC. As predicted in the March 25 issue of Mailers Hub News (login required), the Postal Service is seeking the maximum possible increase the rate authority will allow. As stated in the filing, “The Postal Service has available approximately 7.8 percentage points of pricing…
Read MoreOIG Audit Cites Extensive Problems at Richmond RPDC
As Postmaster General Louis DeJoy presses on with his Plan to transform the Postal Service’s collection, processing, transportation, and delivery networks, an audit of the first regional processing and distribution center opened under his Plan found a wide variety of problems. The OIG summarized the transition of operations into the new RPDC: “In July 2023, the Postal Service completed the…
Read MoreHow Much Does Bad Customer Service Cost?
Working for decades as an industry consultant, I’ve navigated the consolidation of numerous industry associations, including GATF, PIA, NAPL, MFSA, AMSP, and more. One key lesson emerged: Regardless of the products or services you offer, be it prepress, wide format, print, or mail, the fundamental rule of business success remains – listening and responding to your customers is essential. Neglecting…
Read MoreBest Direct Mail Offers
Direct marketers know the offer you choose to send is extremely important. Sending the right direct mail offer to the right person drives direct mail ROI. When you start planning your direct mail offer, your design and target list should correspond to it. When there is a mismatch between them, your ROI is significantly reduced. To create the best offers…
Read MorePRC Approves Zone 10, Faults Unresponsive USPS
On March 22, the Postal Regulatory Commission approved a Postal Service proposal, filed November 22, 2023, to add a new Zone 10 to the prices for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage. The USPS had stated in its filing that, if approved, the new Zone 10 prices would be effective at a future date, but no sooner…
Read MoreYour Playbook is Risking Your Whole Game
The “Three Point Revolution” completely changed basketball. The size of the court effectively doubled with no more players to cover it. And every playbook became obsolete. The same thing has happened to the environment in which your organization operates. And far too many playbooks haven’t changed at all. Introduction I coach senior executives. Those coaching sessions always address significant challenges…
Read MoreMissoula as Everywhere
As the Postal Service was accelerating its repurposing and consolidation of mail processing operations, it became known that one facility that would be affected was the Missoula (MT) P&DC. Under the network realignment plan, it would be downgraded to a Local Processing Center, handling only mail destinating in its service area. Outgoing volume would be trucked nearly 200 miles over…
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