Trends in Print and Mail

The recent postal rate increase has caused budget problems for many print and mail operations managers. It may not be possible to offset all extra expenses due to the rate hike, but you may be able to make small adjustments to other areas. Small adjustments that can add up to big savings over time.

Here are 20 tips to help save money this year:

People

1. Review current staff for performance levels, skill sets and flexibility, Replace poor/marginal employees with people who will deliver results.

2. Time staffing levels with expected volumes. 40 hours per week doesn’t mean 9:00 to 5:00 for all employees, or Monday through Friday.

3. Consider part-time and temporary help. Students (high school and college) are looking for opportunities to gain experience in the business world.

4. Make training a priority – procedures, postal and equipment. It’s always less expensive to have well-trained employees do something right the first time, than to have to correct the work a second time.

5. Cross-train whenever possible. Employees should be able to cover for each other during periods of high volumes or absences.

6. Provide education for your customers. Make sure your customers (internal and external) understand the different classes of mail and the impact content, shape and size have on postal rates.

Process

7. Document your processes. With your staff, conduct a process-mapping session that accurately depicts how work is completed in your shop. Keep this map posted in plain sight.

8. Eliminate redundancies wherever possible. Review your processes to uncover and remove all unnecessary steps.

9. Review your space plan/footprint. Make sure that the location of people, equipment and supplies support an efficient workflow.

10. Post a daily/weekly/monthly schedule of events. Help your staff prepare for projects and mailings that you know will be occurring.

11. Hold daily huddles to review priorities. The daily huddle is the cornerstone of effectove team communication - whether it is a team of 2 or a team of 200.

12. Capitalize on core competencies and smart-sourcing. Select the right operation for the right job, internally and externally.

13. Implement a chargeback system. Department managers are more mindful of their requests when the costs – labor, print and postage – directly impact their budget.

14. Review/renegotiate contracts with vendors. Ensure that you are getting the best possible solution at the best service levels and the best possible price.

Technology

15. Implement an address management program – internal and external. Properly addressed mail pieces get delivered quicker and less expensively.

16. Start using the Full-Service Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb). While not mandatory, using the Full Service IMb qualifies mailers for USPS incentive programs and an additional $0.003 per piece discount.

17. Utilize an automated inbound package/accountable mail tracking system. Speed up delivery times and eliminate phone calls with a web-based tracking system.

18. Promote the use of desktop shipping software for overnight and priority packages. Systems will help end-users select the right vendor for the right service at the lowest cost.

19. Implement a work order or job tracking system. Managers and employees are more efficient when they know what work needs to be completed and where jobs are in the process.

20. Review all equipment for replacement/upgrades. Newer technology usually means faster processing speeds and lower cost-per-piece processing.

Bonus tip: remember to keep track of all your savings, and be sure to include individual and combined savings in your monthly budget reports.

Do you have a tip to share? Please join the conversation and leave a tip in the comments section below.

When choosing a disaster recovery provider for print/mail services, all of the rules pertaining to selecting an outsourcing vendor apply. An important additional rule: actual experience in disaster recovery. An experienced vendor knows how to stay calm and react appropriately in times of crisis.

Without an accompanying press release, Federal Register notice or advisory, the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) released the new postal rates on the “Postal Explorer” page of their website. On the left hand navigation bar of the page, users can download the rates in either Excel or .CSV format. Also, the new postage statement forms have been posted.

The new rates are consistent with the December 24, 2013 decision of the Postal Regulatory Commission (“PRC”) to conditionally approve the USPS request for an exigent rate case. Under the decision, the USPS will be able to raise rates by approximately 6%, and maintain those rates until they recoup the calculated $2.8 billion loss due to the “Great Recession” of 2009.

For almost 2 weeks, the mailing community has been waiting for some type of decision by the USPS. Through the Postal Customer Councils, the USPS released a statement that they were disappointed in the PRC decision, and were going to take time to analyze the new rates. However, there was no follow-up communication.

Under the new rates, the greatest impact will be on mailers who meet don’t presort their mail to the higher levels. As the table below shows, First Class Mail single piece rates will increase by 6.52%, and mixed AADC rates by 7.41%. On the other hand, AADC/3-Digit rates will only increase by 5.73% and 5-Digit rates by 5.83%. This means that the savings for AADC/3-Digit presort improves to $0.084 per piece, and 5-Digit to $0.109 per piece.

On Tuesday, December 24, the Postal Regulatory Commission (“PRC”) conditionally approved the US Postal Service’s request for an exigent rate increase. This means that on January 26, 2014, postage rates will increase an average of 6.0%.

According to current laws, the US Postal Service (“USPS”) may increase postage prices at the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). If there are “exceptional or extraordinary” circumstances, the USPS may request and additional, or exigent, rate increase. The USPS filed such a request in 2010, citing the impact great recession of 2009 on mail volumes. The PRC rejected the request. The USPS filed an appeal in court, which directed the request back to the PRC. There was no action by either party at that time.

On September 26, 2013, the USPS re-filed the 2010 exigent rate request, while also filing for the CPI increase. 

In this latest decision, the PRC found that the Postal Service experienced financial harm as a result of the recession and is legally entitled to implement price increases in excess of the CPI cap. In an unexpected move, the PRC denied the Postal Service’s request to make the increases permanent. It found allowing the increases to remain in effect indefinitely would be inconsistent with fundamental postal policies underlying the price cap.

In brief, the PRC determined that the USPS didn’t adequately break out losses due to electronic diversion from the losses due to the recession. The PRC analysis determined that the recession caused the loss of 25.3 billion pieces with a value of $2.8 billion. The exigent rate increase will stay in effect until the USPS recovers the $2.8 billion, with the additional requirement of reporting quarterly on revenues generated by the rate increase.

This decision will be greeted with dismay by most mailers. After the November PRC ruling that the USPS couldn’t implement Full Service IMb requirements concurrently with the proposed increased rates, it looked like the PRC would also deny the exigent rate increase. Major mailers and mailing associations will probably use the decision to put more pressure on Congress for postal reform legislation.

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) is the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which has authority over the USPS. He recently stated that he expects postal legislation to be approved in January by his committee – with bipartisan support. However, the bill is very different than the proposed House legislation. Also, there’s significant opposition by members of both parties who don’t want to see cuts in service to their constituents.

It will be an interesting 2014.

Outsourcing is neither the magic bullet depicted by some vendors and consultants, nor the evil villain feared by many operation managers. It’s a strategic tool for enhancing performance that should be considered by all companies. As with any strategy, it should be reviewed on a regular basis for consistency with the organization’s mission, shifts in technology and vendor performance.

Let's dispel certain myths about outsourcing:

Myth – Outsourcing is easy.
Reality – Outsourcing requires significant planning and resources to be effective. This is especially true when transitioning from an internal operation to an outsourcing vendor.

Myth – Outsourcing shows a failure in management.
Reality – Outsourcing is an effective tool used everyday by competent managers. Most shops outsource some functions, like couriers, presort or offset printing.

Myth – Outsourcing can't be done in a union shop.
Reality – Outsourcing exists in all environments. I visited a shop that was half-union, half-vendor. And it worked.

Myth – Outsourcing will solve all my management problems.
Reality – Outsourcing relationships need to be managed to be successful. The function may have been outsourced, but the responsibility for success remains internal.

Myth – Outsourcing will solve all my human resources problems.
Reality – Outsourcing staff are people too. The vendor may have responsibility for the actual hiring and firing, but the customer will have to work with the employees.

Myth – Outsourcing is guaranteed to save me money.
Reality – Outsourcing may cost you more if not used properly. The manager must keep accurate records of service levels, volumes and charges to ensure the vendor is in compliance with the contract.

Myth – Outsourcing is inevitable.
Reality – Outsourcing is only one choice among many. Vendors will often cite statistics that show how quickly outsourcing is growing. However, there are also companies that insource after failed outsourcing attempts, and many companies that decide to keep their internal operations.

Myth – Outsourcing is a topic I should never bring up with management.
Reality – Outsourcing options should be reviewed on a regular basis. Putting your head in the sand will only guarantee that you won't see what hits you. Face the outsourcing challenge, and make the appropriate business decision for your company.

On November 21, 2013, I gave a presentation of Full Service Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) to the Postal Customer Council of Lincoln, NE. I was asked if there was any possibility the USPS would delay the requirement that all mail presented at a discounted postage rate have a Full Service IMb by January 26, 2014. I said, "Probably not. The US Postal Service (USPS) has not shown any indication they will delay the date." That same afternoon, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) ruled against the January date.

On September 30, 2013, the US Postal Services (USPS) filed their annual request for a rate increase. Also, they refiled a 2010 request for an exigent rate increase higher than the rate of inflation. That means on January 26, 2014, postage rates may go up by 6%.

Contrary to rumor, this doesn't mean the end of print and mail as we know it.