FRONT PAGE

Restructuring Major Functions

Shipping Services, Customer Relations lead changes

In a dramatic realignment of several of its core functions, the Postal Service has moved to position the organization to capitalize on new competitive opportunities and significantly enhance the vision of its customer outreach.

The realignment creates two new strategic focal points. The first groups all major shipping and mailing products in one division. The other, representing the voice of the customer, gives priority to the interests of business and individual mailers.

The realignment also consolidates all Intelligent Mail Barcode activities under the chief operating officer to focus on execution in the year ahead.

These decisions “may be viewed as a sea change for some,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “But these are challenging times and it’s critical that we take advantage of recent changes in federal law that give us the tools to move into the competitive environment. We are now positioned to do that.”

Potter noted, “These changes recognize the dynamic economics of our business, will increase our effectiveness and enhance the value and attractiveness of our shipping and mailing services for existing customers and new ones.”

Potter also announced the following senior executive appointments:

• A corporate leader with more than 30 years of private sector experience, Robert Bernstock, has been brought on to be president of the newly created Shipping and Mailing Services Division. Reporting to him will be a newly created position, senior vice president of Mailing Services, as well as the current vice presidents of Expedited Shipping, Ground Shipping and Sales.
• Supporting Bernstock will be a new senior vice president for mailing services, David Shoenfeld, who formerly served as senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing for Federal Express.
• Stephen Kearney, a current officer, will lead Customer Relations as a senior vice president. This group will centralize the key consumer and business customer relationships, external and internal communications, as well as integrating pricing into a single unit.

Including product management, product development and commercial sales, the new Shipping and Mailing Services Division is responsible for more than $70 billion of annual revenue.

National PCC Day

Honoring the role of PCCs in helping businesses succeed in mail

Postal Customer Councils show local businesses how mail works. And National PCC Day shows how this grassroots partnership is crucial in helping to keep America’s mailing industry strong.

PCCs across the nation once again will unite to celebrate “America’s Partnership” on Sept. 17. National PCC Day is one of the biggest mailing industry events of the year, promoting the role of PCCs in networking, education and communication.

“I’m extremely proud of the work PCCs have accomplished,” says Susan Plonkey, vice president of Business Customer Relations for the Postal Service. “PCC members have taken advantage of the many educational opportunities on the Intelligent Mail Barcode, Flats Sequencing System and other mail-related topics at PCC events across the nation to enhance mail production within their own businesses.”

National PCC Day will feature a keynote address by Postmaster General John Potter, who will be speaking live by satellite from the St. Louis PCC. The broadcast also will feature other postal officials, including Deputy Postmaster General Pat Donahoe.

Nearly every PCC across the nation will be hosting an event to celebrate “America's Partnership,” the theme of National PCC Day. PCC members can expect to hear from PCCs and businesses of all sizes on how they have benefited from participating in their local PCC. Additionally, workshops on Intelligent Mail and Shipping Services will be conducted at these events.

Made up of community business owners and managers, mailing service providers, and postal and industry experts, PCCs exist to accomplish one mission: to help companies be more successful using the mail.

Want to learn more about PCCs and National PCC Day activities in your community? Log on to the National PCC Network at usps.com/pcc.

Ancillary Service Endorsements

Helping you prepare for the new Move Update requirements

On Nov. 23, two address quality initiatives will become effective — increase the minimum frequency of Move Update processing from 185 days to 95 days prior to mailing and expand the Move Update standards from First-Class Mail automation-rate and presort-rate mailings to include all Standard Mail mailings.

For mailers to be ready for the Move Update requirements, they must begin using addresses that were updated within the previous 95 days. For example, a mailing entered on Nov. 23 must bear addresses that were updated no earlier than Aug. 20.

Move Update standards provide options for customers to reduce the number of mailpieces that require forwarding, return or disposal by periodically matching address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders.

The Postal Service makes the following Move Update options available to help meet the needs of mailers. Each mailer may need to experiment with several options to determine the most effective method or combination of methods to update addresses in different mailing situations.

• NCOA^Link
• FASTforward
• ACS
• OneCode ACS
• Ancillary Service Endorsements
• Alternative Methods (First-Class Mail Only)

To help mailers make informed decisions as to which method works best for their business, a series of articles have been featured in the PCC Insider. We now take a look at the post-mailing method of ancillary service endorsements.

Ancillary service endorsements are one method of meeting the Move Update requirement. The ancillary service endorsements process consists of printing one of the four variations directly onto the envelope or the mailpiece. When a mailpiece is undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA), the ancillary service endorsement is the instruction provided by the mailer on how they want the mailpiece handled if it cannot be delivered as addressed. Because ancillary service endorsements are manual operations, they are also the most costly and least effective way to maintain address lists for customer change-of-address.

Change Service Requested

Change Service Requested provides you with the new address or the reason why the mailpiece could not be delivered. The mailpiece is not returned.

This endorsement is practical for mailers who want to keep their address databases current by receiving the new address information or the reason for non-delivery but don’t need the piece returned.

Return Service Requested

Return Service Requested is the endorsement to use when you always want the mailpiece back. UAA mailpieces are returned with a new address or the reason for non-delivery. This endorsement does not provide forwarding, only return.

Address Service Requested

Address Service Requested provides forwarding and return service, as well as a separate notice of the new address, which helps you mail to the new address the next time you mail. It is available for all classes of mail.

Temp–Return Service Requested

This is valid for First-Class Mail only. If no change-of-address order is on file, the mailpiece is returned with reason for non-delivery. If a permanent change-of-address order is on file, the mailpiece is returned with the new address or reason for non-delivery attached. If a temporary change-of-address order is on file, the mailpiece is forwarded to the temporary address and no separate notice of temporary address is provided.

When in doubt about which ancillary service endorsement to use on your mailing, first ask yourself this question: How do I want UAA mailpieces handled? Use the correct ancillary service endorsement from the start to be absolutely sure that the Postal Service will treat your mail as you wish. For complete information about ancillary service endorsements, see Domestic Mail Manual section 507.1.5.1.

Check back frequently to the National PCC website for updated information and to learn more about the new requirements and different authorized methods for Move Update.

Call For Papers

Planning under way for next year’s National Postal Forum

Interested in making a presentation at the 2009 National Postal Forum?

The annual NPF is a premier mailing industry event featuring more than 100 workshops and seminars. Speakers are selected for their expertise and ability to produce quality presentations that provide mailers the knowledge necessary to keep pace with the rapidly changing business world.

If you would like to be a speaker or lead a workshop at the 2009 NPF, which will be held May 17-20 in Washington, DC, go to the NPF website at npf.org and click on the “NPF Call for Papers” link to submit your proposal online.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Aug. 31 and all potential workshop presenters will be notified of their selection or non-selection by Oct. 15.

WHAT'S UP

Election Mail

The Postal Service provides election officials nationwide with information to meet their Election Mail needs. Visit the Election Officials’ Mailing Resources site at: usps.com/electionmail. Resources are available to help plan, address and design official Election Mail. A downloadable image of the “Official Election Mail” logo also is available at the site.

FYI…

You can customize your own PCC Certificate Program. To learn how, go to the National PCC website at usps.com/nationalpcc/certprogram.htm.

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS

Online Seminars Offer Anytime, Anywhere Learning

Save them the trip and the gas money — offer your PCC members online seminars they can attend wherever they are, whenever it’s convenient for them.

The Capital Region PCC in Albany, NY, offers interactive Web casts delivered by knowledgeable industry experts as a low-cost option for its educational programs. Each seminar includes a live presentation, best practices, tips and opportunities to discuss with the presenter specific questions or requirements.

“You have a variety of meeting management and Web conferencing functions such as surveys, opinion polls and breakout rooms,” says Margaret Pepe, manager of the Albany District’s Business Service Network and PCC member. “These features promote member interaction and foster collaborative sharing of information, enhancing learning.”

Using this alternative to classroom communications, members can participate in the seminar from anywhere that’s convenient. If they miss the live broadcast, no problem. It’s recorded and they have 30 days to view the presentation. Corporate members can extend the benefits of the seminar to their clients at no extra charge since registration is on a per-site basis. This increases awareness, attendance and the value of membership, generating a high ROI for the corporation’s participation.

“Online seminars are quick, interactive and right at members’ fingertips,” says Pepe. “By offering this flexibility, we can reach a broad geographical member population, increasing membership and the value of the Capital Region Postal Customer Council!”

KEEPING POSTED

2008

• National PCC Day is Sept. 17. The Greater St. Louis PCC will host the main event featuring a national satellite broadcast.

2009

• National Postal Forum, May 17-20, Washington, DC. Check the NPF website at npf.org for updated information.

INFO@USPS

Your Links To Mailing Resources

U.S. Postal Service: usps.com

National PCC Network: usps.com/pcc

Rapid Information Bulletin Board System: ribbs.usps.gov

Questions? Comments? Send an e-mail to pccinsider@usps.gov

Sign up for PCC Insider at usps.com/pcc, select "PCC Insider Registration"

Back issues: PCC Insider online archive