MEMO TO MAILERS - MAY 2005 (text)
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
VOLUME 40 NUMBER 5
MAY 2005

WHAT'S INSIDE
ADDRESS QUALITY TOOLS
GLOBAL SHIPPING OPTIONS
FAST START KEEPING POSTED
POSTAL NEWS BRIEFS

MAKE YOUR MAIL NOTE-ABLE
It’s better than tying a string around your customer’s finger. A Repositionable Note (RPN) on your letters, catalogs, large envelopes, magazines and newspapers will help your marketing message stick with your customers long after your mailpiece is gone. And that lasting impression can help you generate sales and repeat business for your company.

What’s a RPN? It’s a removable 3-inch-by-3-inch sticky-type note. Easy to peel off, RPNs can go from your mailpiece to your customers’ calendars, telephones, computer monitors and refrigerators.

The Postal Service implemented a one-year provisional service test that allows customers to affix RPNs to the outside of letter- and flat-size First-Class Mail, Periodicals and Standard Mail under the new standards in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service – Domestic Mail Manual 300 (Section G709.7).

“Repositionable Notes are billboards for a business’ mail and they extend the life of the mailpiece,” says Stephen Kearney, vice president of Pricing and Classification for USPS. “They add value by highlighting important sale dates and information, contact phone numbers, coupons and other key points that companies want their customers to remember and act upon.”

Fingerhut Direct Marketing Inc. is the first national customer to use RPNs on catalogs. “The notes should extend the lifespan of the message, creating a lasting opportunity for Fingerhut to connect with a potential customer,” says Mike Sidders, director of eCommerce and New Customer Acquisition for Fingerhut.

The Postal Service worked with engineers at 3M to develop the RPN prototype that was used during a one-year test to see if the notes were compatible with USPS automation. The success of the test allowed RPN applications to be extended to other forms of mail.

“For 25 years, consumers have seen the impact of the Post-it brand as the world’s greatest resource for repositionable communications. Now, as a major enhancement to Direct Mail initiatives, Post-it notes will continue to carry messages across the world right into your mailbox,” said Dr. Jack Truong, 3M Office Supplies Division vice president.

During the test period, customers using RPNs reported significant increases in response rates and revenues:

First Charter Bank in North Carolina tested RPNs on Direct Mail to both existing customers and prospective customers. First Charter reported a 40 percent increase in response rate in both categories.

By calling attention to its medical coding books with a RPN, Medical Management Institute lifted its response rate by more than 45 percent.
3M is one of nine USPS-authorized vendors that meet the Postal Service standards for providing RPNs to mailers. They include 3 Sigma, Troy, OH; Express Card and Label Co., Topeka, KS; The Kennedy Group, Willoughby, OH; Moore Wallace North America Inc., Manchester, NH; NA Star Inc., Middleton, WI; Repacorp Label Product, Tipp City, OH; YORK Labels, York, PA; and Lauterbach Group, Waukesha, WI.

Repositionable Notes must be machine-applied. Customers are charged one-half cent for RPNs on First-Class Mail and one-and-one-half cents for RPNs affixed to Periodicals or Standard Mail. Extensive testing proved that mail with RPNs attached move along the normal mailstream without the need for additional or special handling.

“Repositionable Notes add value to Direct Mail and give it an extra edge,” says Kearney. “They let you grab your customers’ attention quickly, improving open-and-read rates, making Direct Mail more actionable.”

See www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm (Postal Bulletin, 2-3-05) for details and www.usps.com/repositionablenotes/successstories.htm for examples of how businesses are using RPNs.

ADDRESS QUALITY TOOLS MADE SIMPLE
Cost-effective and timely delivery of every mailpiece depends on an accurate address containing complete and correct address elements. No doubt about it, decisions made about address quality affect your ability to reach valued customers. Which tools are the right tools to make your business mailings successful and cost effective?

The National Customer Support Center (NCSC) in Memphis, TN, provides many value-added, innovative products and services as well as technical expertise that enable USPS business customers to better manage the quality of their mailing lists.

A special CD-ROM has been created to describe all the NCSC products and service. The Address Management Products, Services and Publications CD-ROM introduces mailers to the wide range of address quality solutions available from the NCSC. It is packed with product descriptions, useful information and contact information for each product and service offered by the NCSC. This important information will assist you in determining the tools that are appropriate for your mailing needs.

The best part about this CD-ROM is that it’s FREE!! Call the NCSC at 1-800-238-3150, option zero, to request your copy of the Address Management Products, Services and Publications CD-ROM.

AROUND THE WORLD IN MANY WAYS
When the world is your oyster, you need the United States Postal Service to get everything you want in global shipping options. The Postal Service has a variety of international services designed to answer the needs of an ever-expanding marketplace. New enhancements from USPS are making it easy for shippers to calculate international postage, print postage and labels, complete required customs forms and schedule a carrier pickup — all without leaving the office.

Global Express Guaranteed
Customers who need day-certain delivery with online tracking and a money-back guarantee (go to www.usps.com/global for specifics) should take advantage of Global Express Guaranteed, the premium international shipping solution from the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx. With service to more than 190 countries, it provides international delivery in one to three business days via FedEx Express to most major markets, combining the convenience and reliability of the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx. Prices for documents start at $24 for a half pound, and package prices start at $36 for 1 pound. There’s an automatic 5 percent discount on Global Express Guaranteed shipments when postage is paid through Click-N-Ship, the Postal Service's online shipping service. Global Express Guaranteed service is available at thousands of Post Office locations or by handing the package to your letter carrier.

Global Express Mail
For expedited service to over 190 countries, many shippers choose Global Express Mail. This service offers three to five business day delivery to major cities with tracking and insurance up to $100 included in the cost. Our published retail rates are 40 to 60 percent less for 1- to 10-pound packages to major worldwide destinations than other carriers’ rates for comparable services. Global Express Mail offers online convenience, from shipping labels, supplies and Carrier Pickup Online Notification — all at no additional charge. Customers can send their packages from the comfort of their home or office by logging on to www.usps.com/global.

Check the Postal Service website for additional information.

Global Priority Mail
For economical priority shipping to 51 countries around the world, Global Priority Mail can’t be beat. Customers can mail documents and packages weighing up to 4 pounds with delivery within four to six days to major cities. Global Priority Mail envelopes and packaging are available at no additional charge.

And if that’s not enough, Global Priority Mail offers flat rates to Mexico and Canada at $4 and $7 and to the rest of the world for $5 and $9.

Air Parcel Post
For those needing something even more economical, Air Parcel Post is the answer. Air Parcel Post is an economical priority service to more than 190 countries with delivery in four to 10 days to major cities. Sending packages Air Parcel Post to virtually any destination worldwide can be done with ease by preparing the customs form online and requesting carrier pickup at www.usps.com.

Customs forms
International shipments often require customs forms. When? Which one? Some shippers can be confused about which customs forms to use. Customers can log on at www.usps.com/global/customsforms.htm to determine what form is needed for each type of package and to complete the form online. Choose either plain paper or label paper to print the customs form and affix it to the package or order USPS envelopes online and enclose and affix copies of customs forms. The convenient Carrier Pickup Online Notification option is available right from the Global Shipping page at www.usps.com.

Carrier Pickup Online Notification
Don’t have time to go to the Post Office? Shippers can enjoy the ease and convenience of Carrier Pickup Online Notification for all of their international shipments — Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail, Global Priority Mail, Global Airmail and Global Economy. Our Carrier Pickup Online Notification program is a real time saver, and as a convenience, it allows pickups to be scheduled up to three months in advance.

Payment options
Paying for international shipments is just as easy. Customers can use a postage meter imprint, PC Postage products or online Click-N-Ship labels with postage, and payment by credit card. Quick, easy and convenient!

When it comes to mailing international packages — it’s a small world after all!

International Shipping Supplies:
www.usps.com/shipping
Fax: 1-800-270-6233
Phone: 1-800-610-8734
Global Express Guaranteed
participating Post Offices
Customer Care via usps.com or
1-800-222-1811

International Customs Forms:
www.usps.com/global/customs.htm

FAST START: FAST TO REPLACE DSAS
Customers want fast service — and that’s what they’ll get when the Postal Service replaces the Drop Shipment Appointment System (DSAS) with the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) system.

FAST increases the capabilities of customers to make drop shipment appointments. It offers new features to better notify facilities about specific content of mailings, create multi-stop and recurring appointments, and submit appointments on the Web or through electronic file transfers.

When facilities understand customer requirements ahead of time, they can offer appointment slots based on their capacity.

FAST begins a national deployment in June with all areas phased in over the following six months. But now is the time to get ready for FAST.

Train-the-Trainer
USPS is offering FAST Train-the-Trainer classes in May and June at selected USPS training facilities around the country.

During these instructor-led sessions, customers will learn about FAST functionality and get hands-on practice in a simulated FAST training environment. These classes are designed for people who currently make online appointments in DSAS.

Companies can select up to five people to participate in the Train-the-Trainer classes. A registration form can be downloaded from the Postal Service’s Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS) at http://ribbs.usps.gov.

Technical Webinars
A Webinar is a Web-based conference that provides participants an opportunity to see presentation materials, hear directly from the FAST Team and ask questions.

These Webinars are intended for technical people who conduct analysis of technical and functional requirements for software design, implement software designs and manage software implementations within their companies. Job titles may include systems analysts, software developers and IT project managers. Go to RIBBS for information on sessions.

TRANSFORMATION 2006-2010
Since the Postal Service’s Transformation Plan was created in 2002, service and customer satisfaction have reached record highs. USPS has reduced debt by $9.5 billion and cut costs by more than $4.3 billion. It’s quicker, easier and more convenient than ever for customers to use the Postal Service.
Now it’s time for the next step.

The Strategic Transformation Plan 2006–2010 is being developed, organized around four basic strategies: fostering growth through customer value, increasing operational efficiency, enhancing a customer-focused, performance-based culture and improving service.

Customer feedback is welcome. Go to usps.com and click on the Strategic Transformation Plan 2006–2010 link for information. Please e-mail your thoughts and comments to transform@usps.gov, or mail them to:
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING
STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK
475 L’ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 5142
WASHINGTON DC 20260-5142

The new Transformation Plan will not be just a ‘to-do’ list, etched in stone. It will be a blueprint for making continuous improvements in every aspect of the business. We’ll revise and update it every year to accommodate the changing needs of the mailing industry.”
— Postmaster General John E. Potter

INFO@USPS
SMALL BUSINESS TOOLS
Get new customers.
Meet customer demands.
Around town or around the world.
www.usps.com

SIMPLE FORMULAS
Use the mail to grow your business.
Order a Simple Formulas kit.
800-THE-USPS, ext. AD4433

SEND MAIL FROM YOUR PC
Send postcards, letters,
flyers, booklets or greeting cards.
www.usps.com/netpost

THE POSTAL STORE ONLINE
Open 24/7. Stamps. Subscription services.
Digital scales.
www.usps.com/shop

SHIPPING INFORMATION
Express Mail, Priority Mail
and package support line.
800-222-1811

KEEPING POSTED
NEWS FROM AND FOR POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCILS
GRADUATING WITH EMCM HONORS
Twenty-three mail managers from some of the nation’s leading companies and organizations got their Executive Mail Center Manager (EMCM) credentials through training sessions brought to New York City by the Postal Customer Council (PCC) of New York.

The EMCM course is a comprehensive training program for individuals who want to develop mail center management skills. It’s designed to help mailing industry professionals manage more effectively, improve mail center safety and security, boost productivity and cut costs.

The training, developed by the Postal Service’s National Center for Employee Development, is made up of eight content areas. Typically taught by the center at its Norman, OK, location, the training also can be offered locally through PCCs.

The PCC of NY sponsored four days of training conducted during January and February. Participants were required to complete all eight modules and pass exams at the completion of each module to earn certification.

The companies and organizations sending employees to the training included Forbes, Morgan Stanley, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Millenium Group, Hearst Magazines, Cushman & Wakefield (NYMEX), Merrill Lynch, New York University, American Lung Association, Cambridge Corporate Services, 1199 SEIU National Benefit Fund, Scholastic, Re:Sources USA and Complete Management Services.

“We not only came away with a better knowledge of the postal system’s operations, but also a better appreciation of the industry,” said James Mullan of Cushman & Wakefield and Manager of Office Services at the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The program was so successful that the PCC of NY has announced it will once again offer the EMCM certification program. The classes are scheduled for November 2005. Anyone interested in obtaining certification as an executive mail center manager in New York should contact PCC Coordinator Sandra Calos (sandra.calos@usps.gov) at 212-330-3084.

PCC NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES PROGRAM KICKS OFF
A new PCC best practices recognition program has started to collect nominees for its first round of awards, which will be announced at the 2005 National PCC Day event Sept. 14 at the Lakeland Mailing Expo in Middleton, WI.

The PCC best practices program replaces the PCC recognition awards that, in the past, had been announced at the National Postal Forum.
The new program will showcase best practices in six categories: membership, joint meetings/vendor shows, education, PCC planning, financial management and data management.

Several new Web pages at the National PCC Network site on www.usps.com highlight the best practices program and explain how nominations may be submitted.

“One important role of the national PCC team is to identify and share best practices from across the country,” said Marty Emery, manager, Customer and Industry Marketing, which oversees the PCC program. “We believe that by doing so we will enhance the value of membership in each PCC and help the councils grow the mail and our mailing industry.”

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMES ON BOARD
Miami-Dade County is home to the latest addition to the National PCC Network. Miami, FL, Postmaster Jesus Galvez hosted the kick-off meeting of the new Miami-Dade County PCC on March 11, attracting more than 80 Miami-area business representatives as well as Mayor Carlos Alvarez.

Leading the National PCC Network’s 215th council are Miami Postmaster Galvez and Florida Power & Light’s Susan Reed as co-chairs, Audie Thompson of the Miami-Dade County GSA as industry vice chair, Robert Parker of Battery Bob.com as secretary, and Tim Moore of IMEX, treasurer.

Other executive board members include Fatima Chavez, Pitney Bowes/Bank of America; Lou Tolinche, Florida International University; Daniel Toirac, Pitney Bowes/Bank of America; Cristina Raposo, Miami-Dade County Tax Collector; Tim Meadows, Miami Rescue Mission; and Katherine DelCastillo, Printing & Graphic Center.

“Our Executive Board members represent a diverse group of businesses and mailers, both small and large,” noted co-chair Galvez. “They all enthusiastically exemplify the volunteer spirit and, along with the Postal Service, are committed to making the Miami-Dade County Postal Customer Council the best in the nation.”

BUSINESS SEMINAR SERIES ADDS WORKSHOPS
The Business Seminar Series, a “workshops-in-a-box” initiative designed to deliver do-it-yourself education sessions for PCC audiences (as well as other interested organizations), has announced the availability of the new “PC Postage Solutions” workshop.

The workshop package — including a CD-based PowerPoint presentation and facilitator’s guide — will be shipped to council co-chairs. It’s the fourth title in the series, joining “Mailtown, USA,” “Direct Mail by the Numbers” and “DMM 200.” Two additional workshops-in-a-box — “Simple Shipping” and “Simple Formulas” are scheduled for summer releases.

The Business Seminar Series was developed by USPS Customer and Industry Marketing as an innovative way to deliver educational content to mailing customers throughout the country through regularly scheduled meetings at local PCCs.

POSTAL NEWS BRIEFS
ESCROW RATE CASE FILED
The U.S. Postal Service filed April 8 a rate case with the Postal Rate Commission seeking an expedited recommended decision to raise rates and fees 5.4 percent for almost all categories.

The filing is unique in that the decision to seek a rate increase is due solely to the requirement of Public Law 108–18 that the Postal Service establish a $3.1 billion escrow fund. The law does not stipulate how the funds are to be used.

The Postal Service rate case calls for an almost uniform 5.4 percent rate and fee increase spread over all classes and subclasses of mail and special services. The postage for a 1-ounce piece of First-Class Mail would go from 37 to 39 cents in early 2006.

Should legislation be enacted that eliminates the escrow funding requirement, this rate case will be withdrawn. The last postal rate increase was 3 cents on June 30, 2002.

Information on the filing can be found at www.usps.com/ratecase.

NEW DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL NAMED
Patrick R. Donahoe, a 29-year postal employee, has been named Deputy Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service. The announcement was made by the chairman of the Board of Governors, James C. Miller III, and Postmaster General John E. Potter.

“The combination of Pat’s performance, experience and commitment to the continued transformation and success of the Postal Service makes him uniquely suited to this important new role,” said Potter.

Serving as the Postal Service’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Executive Vice President since 2001, Donahoe was instrumental in helping the organization achieve record levels of service, improve the workplace environment and stay on track for a sixth straight year of productivity gains.

As Deputy Postmaster General and COO, Donahoe will serve as a member of the Board of Governors while maintaining responsibility for those activities performed by the chief operating officer — mail processing, transportation and delivery, field operations, engineering, delivery and retail, facilities and network operations.

Donahoe assumed his new duties on April 30, replacing John M. Nolan who served as Deputy Postmaster General for five years.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL DIARY
Expressions of African Americans: A Cultural Diary documents the lives and thoughts of African Americans immortalized on U.S. postage stamps.
The unique collectible consists of a beautifully illustrated binder designed to hold current and future insert cards of African-American stamp issues as well as stationery that can be used to record personal reflections. Customers purchasing this diary can chronicle their own reflections to create a treasured family heirloom.

“Children can create a family heirloom by journaling their parents’ or grandparents’ reflections of African-Americans depicted on stamps. This will promote stamp collecting for children and their parents and a greater appreciation of the outstanding contributions of African Americans for generations to come,” explained David Failor, manager of Stamp Services at the Postal Service.

_________________________________

MEMO TO MAILERS
Volume 40 Number 5

Ilze Sella
Editorial Services

Frank Papandrea
Art Director

David Ostroff
Designer

Betty Shelton
Purchasing Specialist

Azeezaly S. Jaffer
Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications

John E. Potter
Postmaster General and CEO

Memo to Mailers
is published by U.S. Postal Service
Public Affairs and Communications.
USPS eagle symbol and logotype are
registered marks of the
United States Postal Service.

© 1966 United States Postal Service. The following are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: USPS®, U.S. Postal Service®, United States Postal Service®, Postal Service™, Post Office™, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Standard Mail™, First-Class Mail®, Registered Mail™, Certified Mail™, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, ZIP Code™, Click-N-Ship®, NetPost® and The Postal Store®. This list is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service marks.

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MEMO TO MAILERS
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memo to mailers
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