October 2008

A Letter from the Postmaster General/CEO and the Chairman of the Board of Governors 

Vision 2013 is a new approach from previous Strategic Plans the U.S. Postal Service has developed.  
Amid the current challenges, Vision 2013 offers a broader perspective of what it will take to advance
 the Postal Service and the postal industry as a whole. The goal of Vision 2013 is to maintain 
affordable universal service for the country.

The customer is at the center of all our efforts.  In planning and executing future programs and 
policies, success means engaging all stakeholders—from businesses and consumers, to employees and 
labor leaders, to industry and public policy leaders.  In this time of uncertainty, we see opportunity
 to build on a solid foundation of service and operational excellence.  We will continue to invest 
in the Intelligent Mail Barcode, flexible processing and transportation networks, the new Flats 
Sequencing System, and other initiatives that promise new gains in service, efficiency, and customer 
value in the years ahead.

At the same time, we know we must deliver additional value and develop new, innovative ways for 
businesses and consumers to use our products and services. Our new marketing structure will allow 
us to adapt and respond more quickly to tap new sources of revenue and volume.

The Postal Act of 2006 gives us new tools and clearly was a first step in providing flexibility to 
adapt our products and pricing to market requirements.  We need to build on these fundamental 
principles and work with lawmakers to assure we have the necessary flexibility to meet future customer
 needs.

Serving the customer is the objective and Vision 2013 is the roadmap.  As we move down this road 
over the next five years, we expect change to be the hallmark of the postal industry.  Embracing 
change will require innovation and collaboration on an unprecedented scale.  The management team is 
ready and looks forward to working with everyone who has a stake in maintaining the world’s best 
Postal Service.

John E. Potter Postmaster General, Chief Executive Officer

Alan C. Kessler, Chairman, Board of Governors