Friday, March 25, 2011

“Top 10 Ways to Reduce Postal Spend”

If you are like most of our customers, you are probably trying to look for ways to reduce costs for doing mail. For instance, postage costs seem like they are only going up, however in some cases there are significant discounts available to the commercial mailer that can actually help you reduce your postal spend.

I would like to invite you to register for the upcoming MSMA educational Luncheon event on April 21. There will be a brief presentation on the different postal rate changes by the USPS and then I will share over the next 40 minutes the

“Top 10 Ways to Reduce Postal Spend”

Besides getting a great Tri-Tip lunch, you are sure to take away key ideas and strategies to save your organization time and money. These include:
1. Choosing the right class
2. How to make Standard perform like First Class
3. Shaped based pricing, and how to use it to reduce costs
4. Automation to reduce mail center labor costs
5. Address quality = better results, less money
6. How to reduce mailings, not content
7. Empower and hold accountable
8. Key postal compliance changes and strategies to avoid hidden costs
9. Benchmarking performance
10. How to calculate Return on Investment (ROI) to justify labor and technology investments

To register: www.msma-sd.org click on events

I will also be presenting a much more comprehensive presentation called “What You Need to Know for your Mail Center Operation” on Sunday, May 1st at the National Postal Forum held at the San Diego Convention Center. This is a 4 day conference that has over 130 workshops and more than 100 exhibitors. For more information visit www.npf.org

In Addition, you have access to our MDC certified (Mailpiece Design Consultant) sales and service staff any time. (800)545-0437 Please call us for a personal consultation to learn how you can reduce your costs and improve your productivity for your mail and shipping operations. We look forward to helping you get the most out of your postal spend in 2011!

April 21, 2011, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Sheraton Mission Valley
1433 Camino Del Rio S
San Diego, CA 92108

Register www.msma-sd.org

Postmaster General Continues Efficiency Improvements

March 24, 2011
WASHINGTON — Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe today announced a newly redesigned Postal Service, one that is better positioned for growth, reflects further alignment within the organization to achieve core business strategies and, when fully implemented, will help realize approximately $750 million of annual cost savings.

“I am confident that we have developed a strong plan that takes a key step toward a leaner and less bureaucratic structure. One that is fair to our employees and one that will meet the future needs of our customers and the mailing industry,” Donahoe said.

About 7,500 positions will be eliminated across the organization through the redesign that also includes the closing of seven district offices and offers limited financial incentives to those who meet specific qualifications.

The seven district offices that are closing are Columbus, South East Michigan, Northern Illinois, South East New England, South Georgia, Big Sky and Albuquerque. District offices house only administrative functions and do not affect customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP codes. The functions of these seven districts will be assumed by district offices within close proximity.

A Voluntary Early Retirement and financial incentive programs will be offered to eligible employees. Employees must be 50 years old, with at least 20 years of service; or any age with at least 25 years of service to qualify for the incentive. Employees who accept the VER offer or already meet existing retirement qualifications will receive $20,000 paid over two fiscal years to separate from the Postal Service.

“It’s critical that we adjust our workforce to match America’s changing communications trends as mail volumes continue to decline,” Donahoe said. “At every step and with every change, our focus remains on our customers and continuing to provide outstanding customer service.”

Today’s announcement focused on the administrative and executive corps. Additional staff reductions will occur as the Postal Service makes necessary changes to its network and retail operations. The full scope and financial impact of these personnel actions should be realized in one calendar year – March 2012.

While cost savings will be realized, the main objective of the restructuring is to enhance and strengthen customer service and relationships. The realignment flattens the organization, enabling flexibility to more quickly adapt to changing market forces and continuing mail volume decline.

The Postal Service is streamlining operations and improving efficiencies across the organization in order to protect its ability to provide affordable, universal mail service. By modifying networks, consolidating functions and restructuring administrative and processing operations, the Postal Service is adapting to meet the evolving needs, demands and activities of its customers.

“Mail remains valuable. It is at the heart of a $900 billion industry that continues to drive commerce and the American economy,” Donahoe said. “We will continue to work with Congress and our employees to achieve the long-term, structural and legislative changes we know we need to remain a viable organization.”