Will Congress move on postal reform now that US PMG Pat Donahoe has announced 5-day delivery? After seeing yesterday’s hearing on solutions to the crisis facing the Postal Service, we’re not so sure. Rural delivery and legality of reduced delivery schedule were hot topics in Washington DC yesterday morning.
US Post Master General, Pat Donahoe
Pat Donahoe (US Postmaster General) announced that a 5-day delivery mail schedule would begin in August, saving approximately $2 billion a year. Packages will continue to deliver 6-days a week and post offices will continue to be open on Saturdays. Other countries such as Canada, Sweden and Australia have reduced their Saturday services with positive impact.
The bold move raised immediate legal questions in Washington as some lawmakers claim that Congressional approval is required. Earlier attempts to change the current law have been met with objections and delays from Congress driving the USPS to make the change on their own.
Washington’s mandate, imposed solely on the USPS, to pay over $5 billion a year for health benefits to future retirees remains a central point of contention and a driving factor to make radical change.
USPMG Donahoe continues to push his long-term plan to return the US Postal Service to profitability. The plan calls for closing some of the small, rural post offices and the reconstruction of the postal logistical network by reducing the number of its regional processing plants to gain greater efficiency.
The USPS has conducted studies surrounding the reduction of delivery days and has received surprisingly positive response. The USPS is a reliable and intricate part of our economy and direct mail marketing continues to be successfully drive sales to businesses in an affordable and measurable way.
The decision to end Saturday delivery may ultimately be blocked by an act of Congress, however, the announcement moves postal overhaul legislation to the forefront.
We’ll keep you posted on the latest as it happens.
Today we finished our ROI analysis of our publication called The Bureau. The Bureau was launched in September of 2012 and serves as a center point for information on direct marketing and the happenings within our 64-year old company.
Our maiden issue asked and answered the question; “What IS multi-channel marketing?'” Other issues announced upgrades and expansion going on within our plant, introduced readers to our YouTube page, outlined FSM (Folded Self-Mailer_ regulation changes in a simple fashion, educated on Augmented Reality (AR) and shares some case studies from our marketing campaigns. Two of our newsletters included rate-cards for easy reference of the new postal rates that took effect in January and all included an interactive element connecting us to our client and enabling us to track results.
We were able to directly connect an additional $20K in new business to our newsletter through the articles covering our existing or new services, inquiries pertaining to specific topics included in the publication or the acquisition of new clients by incorporating prospects into our Bureau marketing plan.
Direct mail is (still) mighty and is a powerhouse to drive business online.
BEB-Business Extension Bureau conducts a seminar to make USPS Postal Rates and Regulations EASY TO UNDERSTAND!! Several of our clients have already been through our 30-minute class! We have reviewed the new rates and regulations with several of our clients’ in-house graphic artists, procurement staff and marketing associates.
As you understand the changes better, you will also understand the effects those changes have on your postal rates.
We will discuss the new regulations surrounding FSM – Folded Self-Mailers, teach you how to estimate postage quickly for budgeting and review the latest happenings in Washington as it pertains to Postal Reform.
We’ll be happy to come to your location, set up a meeting at our facility – located in the Museum District of Houston – or conduct an online webinar. We’ll create a seminar suited for you and your staff. Contact us to set up a POSTAL 101 class today!
BEB-Business Extension Bureau has entered into the social media realm as an enhancement to direct mail marketing. Our very own Bob Royall – President Emeritus and founder started using Twitter last fall and has already reached 400 followers!
@BEB_BOB tweets focus on the latest postal news such as folded self-mailer changes made easy and upcoming USPS incentives. He also shares the latest in online technology such as Augmented Reality (AR) and NFC!
Thanks to all of our followers on Twitter!
