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Go For Xtreme Performance

National Postal Forum helps businesses find success in mail

The mailing industry’s premier event is only days away.

The 2008 National Postal Forum is set for May 18-21 in Anaheim, CA. With a theme of “Xtreme performance,” the forum features postal and industry experts who will share proven strategies for success in the mail.

“There’s something for every mailer,” says Susan Plonkey, vice president of Customer Service for the Postal Service. “From reducing costs for package shipping to greener direct marketing campaigns to gearing up for the Intelligent Mail barcode, this year’s National Postal Forum pushes the envelope of success in mail.”

Can’t make the big event? Look for special editions of PCC Insider next week to keep you updated on news from the forum.

Are You Ready For Move Update?

New standards take effect in November

The Postal Service is stepping up its efforts to reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail. On Nov. 23, new Move Update standards take effect. However, to be ready, mailers must begin using addresses that were updated no earlier than Aug. 20. The standards provide ways for mailers to reduce the number of mailpieces that require forwarding, return or being treated as waste by the periodic matching of address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders.

The changes will:

• Increase the minimum frequency of Move Update processing from 185 calendar days to 95 days prior to the date of mailing.
• Extend the new Move Update standards to include all Standard Mail (letters, flats, parcels and Not Flat-Machinables) as well as automation-rate and presort-rate First-Class Mail.

The Postal Service is committed to reducing UAA mail. The new standards will result in better address quality by removing incorrectly addressed pieces from subsequent mailings. That, in turn, will reduce UAA mail.

For more information on these revised standards, as well as a list of frequently asked questions, go to the National PCC website at usps.com/pcc.

Competitive Expedited Pricing

Express Mail is the best overnight deal for most shippers

They’re here. Our new competitive prices for expedited mail products are now in effect. It’s your time to take advantage of some of the best bargains in the shipping market.

Prices for Express Mail are lower at the weights and in the delivery zones used by most customers. Also, we offer price incentives for both Express Mail and Priority Mail.

Here are the pricing highlights:

Express Mail

• Retail prices start at $12.60 for a half-pound package.
• The retail price for an Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope is $16.50 regardless of weight or destination.
• Online purchasers and those who have an Express Mail Corporate Account save 3 percent.
• Quarterly volume rebates are available for users averaging just two packages a day.
• Contract pricing will be available for large customers.

Priority Mail

• Retail prices start at $4.80 for a 1-pound package.
• Online purchasers save from 1 to 11 percent.
• The retail price for a Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope is also just $4.80 regardless of weight or destination.
• The retail price for a Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box is $9.80, and a Large Flat-Rate Box is $12.95 regardless of weight or destination.
• The retail price for a Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box sent to an APO/FPO destination is $10.95, a $2 savings.
• Users of Click-N-Ship and PC Postage and customers using permit imprint with electronic confirmation services save an average 3.5 percent.

WHAT'S UP

Dare To Dream Green

Carefully planned direct marketing campaigns can be good for the environment as well as for the bottom line. New database technology allows marketers to be more focused and targeted than ever, yielding not only less waste but greater returns. Want to learn more about eco-friendly marketing? The latest issue of Deliver magazine at delivermagazine.com wants you to “dare to dream green.” It’s devoted to green marketing.

Research shows there are misconceptions in the marketplace about the impact that marketing efforts in general, and direct mail in particular, have on the planet. A recent survey from DMNews/Pitney Bowes, Survey of Consumer Attitudes, revealed that consumers dramatically overestimate the impact that direct mail has on the environment. The majority of respondents thought direct mail accounted for more than a third of total municipal waste when, in fact, it comprises only about 2 percent.

Be sure to check out Deliver as it explores ways marketers can better communicate their environmental efforts.

White House Environmental Awards

Five Postal Service environmental initiatives have been recognized by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, part of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Two initiatives received prestigious 2008 Closing the Circle Awards and three received honorable mentions.

The Postal Service’s Vendor Partnership for Envelope Reuse initiative won the Closing the Circle Award for “Waste/Pollution Prevention — Civilian.” This program encourages customers, vendors and business partners to reuse and recycle mailing products. The Postal Service partnered with three companies — MailAgain, Abitibi Paper Retriever and Ecoenvelope — to create reusable envelopes and make recycling easier for our customers.

Winning the Closing the Circle Award for “Environmental Management Systems — Civilian” was the Postal Service’s Environmental Performance Track Initiative, which encourages facilities with strong environmental records to go above and beyond their legal requirements.

The Postal Service’s eco-friendly packaging, green purchasing and electronics recycling programs received honorable mentions.

Address Standards For Flats

New address standards for commercial flat-size mail are coming next year. They’ve been published in the Federal Register. The new standards are effective March 29, 2009, and require mailers to place delivery addresses in the top half of all Periodicals, Standard Mail and Package Services flats mailed at automation, presorted or carrier route prices. Additional standards relate to address characteristics and apply to all commercial flat-size pieces.

FYI…

Did you know you can find an insurance certificate for PCC use at our website at usps.com/nationalpcc/resources.htm. 

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS

PCCAC Member Says Creating Trusted Partnership Well Worth Your Time

Mail is an integral part of your business. But there needs to be more between your business and the Postal Service than just an exchange of services, says National PCC Advisory Committee (PCCAC) member Harry Stephens. “You need to recognize and see each other as true partners,” he says.

Stephens, president and CEO of Atlanta-based DATAMATX, has served on the National PCCAC for the past three years. He’s been a member of the Greater Atlanta PCC since 1982 and on its board since 1994, including past positions as co-chair and treasurer. He also is a member of PCCs in Phoenix, AZ, and Richmond, VA, where DATAMATX, a provider of printed and electronic billing solutions, also has mailing facilities.

Stephens says one of the best ways to get closer to the Postal Service is through PCC membership. Regular meetings and educational programs keep members informed about the latest postal developments. “You can network with local Postmasters, managers, vendors and other industry professionals,” says Stephens. “You can exchange best practices and discuss strategies for solving problems and issues, and find new ways to make your business more profitable.”

It’s well worth your time to develop a good relationship with the Postal Service, says Stephens, because “it will help keep your mailing operation — and your business — running smoothly.”

KEEPING POSTED

2008

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

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"

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