The Case Against RTO – Analysis

As an organization established to serve commercial mail producers, we’re sometimes asked why we’re concerned about the Postal Service’s Regional Transportation Optimization program, which primarily impacts retail customers. Our answer is simple: RTO violates the fundamental principle of universal service.  By arbitrarily differentiating between those customers within a certain distance from a regional processing and distribution center and those farther…

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Extended Producer Responsibility: Our Legal Advisors Offer Guidance

The issue of extended producer responsibility is a growing concern for commercial mail producers, so our legal advisors from Brann & Issacson have offered our subscribers some guidance on the matter. California’s Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Program: Why Commercial Printers and Mailers AreOfficially in the Conversation For years, environmental compliance lived comfortably upstream – brand owners worried about it, packaging…

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Start with Service – Commentary

Watching PMG David Steiner testify before the House Subcommittee on Government Operations last week made some impressions, good and bad, and perpetuated concerns over conditions not being addressed. The hearing was in a large room with the subcommittee leadership sitting on the top row, above many other empty rows, looking at the witnesses some distance below. The more unusual element…

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Regime Change – Commentary

The practice of regime change – one way or another – has gained a certain popularity of late.  Usually the initial change is replacement of the person at the top, followed by a winnowing of those in subordinate positions until holdovers from the prior regime have left – one way or another. Fortunately, the US had an orderly process for…

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Three Nominees Submitted for USPS Board of Governors

On March 2, the White House sent to the US Senate three nominations to fill vacant positions on the Postal Service’s Board of Governors.  No details about the nominees’ education, professional experience, or qualifications were included with the nominations, so any such information had to be gleaned from internet searches. The recent nominees join a fourth whose name was originally…

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MFSA Annual Conference – Registration is Open!

It’s time to head to Texas! Every spring, the Mailing and Fulfillment Services Association holds its Annual Conference – a unique environment where fierce competitors come together as collaborators, promoting a sense of camaraderie seldom found in today’s business world. If you haven’t already heard, registration for this year’s conference is now open! Don’t miss this opportunity for fun, collaboration,…

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Invest in Employees: Train Them

Management training essential for small business success. Management training is a game-changer for small businesses because it strengthens the very backbone of the company – its current and future leadership.  In a small business, every decision, process, and relationship has a direct and often immediate impact on performance, so having skilled managers isn’t just “nice to have,” it’s mission-critical. Despite…

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