Some days ago, it was all over the news that USPS lost $8.5 Billion and may be “broke” by this time next year. This news did not come as a surprise to most in the mailing business and not to ‘Postal Sanity” either. However, the $8.5 Billion figure is big enough to compel us throwing our 2 cents on top, with a productive intent, that is. So we compiled a list of our past posts, pointing the way to some obvious, and some rather unusual means to generate additional and much needed revenue for the U.S, Postal Service.
(click on headlines to get to the articles)
U.S. Postal Rates excel in International Comparison
Yes they do. And U.S. mailers are getting a true bargain. Modest postal rate increases are called for. Too bad that the PRC had to decline rate increases in its latest decision.
Smart phone apps increase sales of USPS hybrid postcards
Smart-Phone users can send their treasured snapshots as postcards. USPS just needs to provide an easy to use application for the iPhone or the Android. All other necessary infrastructure is already in place. This is low hanging fruit.
Table of worldwide Paperless Mail Providers
Deutsche Post made a splash with their electronic letter “E-Postbrief”. The shift from paper based information into the digital realm will continue. And USPS may as well get on board early on, after all: The early bird catches the worm. But instead of re-inventing the wheel it may make sense to license a proven technology listed in this table.
USPS closing in on five-day delivery service
The potential savings here are huge. Most postal operators are eying this possibility, and it will eventually be implemented as mail volumes continue to decline.
USPS goes green, for free, and locks in attractive electricity price
(Solar) Power Purchase Agreements provide positive cash flow from day one, with no upfront investment. Long term energy cost control for power hungry sorting centers.
United States Postal Service Lottery – Potential revenue in excess of $500 Million
Our most ludicrous idea to date. Nevertheless, it has a huge revenue potential and the implementation is very simple and cheap.
Streamlining the USPS point of sales operation
Reducing wait times and increasing customer service availability. Savings in labor and form management costs.
Electric and hybrid vehicles for USPS
This one has been in the news again lately. It goes hand in hand with (Solar) Power Purchase Agreements (see above)
Expanding USPS services outside the “box”
Grocery delivery services for remote areas yield additional income for routes already traveled during the last mile mail delivery. An interesting trend exists in Japan where online groceries, worth $15.6 billion, are sold.
Technical Feasibility of Mobile Postal Sensor Network Services
Renting out sensor space on the USPS vehicle fleet to collect data about weather, air quality, gas leaks and more
#1 by Charles Prescott on December 13th, 2010
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The grocery delivery idea was implemented by Swiss Post a while back to make “double use” of their idle delivery fleet. They deliver groceries in the early evening when there is always someone home. Would our postal unions go along with this?
Time on line? There shouldn’t be. Why doesn’t the USPS put in envelope scales next to the stamp machines so I can figure out how much I need for a “slightly heavier” envelope? Why not a “small parcel black box” into which I insert my parcel, it weights it and offers me a number of options, I choose and pay with a card or cash, and the machine spits out a label and the parcel, which I then deposit.
In both these cases, do they really think I will buy something else when I get to the counter and hear the “upsell” pitch that the staff have been taught to deliver.