Customer Relations

Mail Alert

The mailings below will be deposited in the near future. Offices should honor the requested delivery dates. Mailers wishing to participate in these alerts, for mailings of 1 million pieces or more, should contact Business Service Network Integration at 202-268-3258 at least 1 month preceding the requested delivery dates. The Postal Service™ also offers electronic Mail Alerts via ADVANCE. For more information, see the ADVANCE Notification & Tracking System Technical Guide on the Internet at http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/advance/advtech.pdf or contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150.

— Business Service Network Integration, Customer Service, 9-14-06

ANNOUNCEMENT

National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15

Hispanic Americans: Our Rich Culture Contributing to America's Future is the theme of this year's National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The annual event highlights past and present contributions by U.S. Hispanics, who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish- speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Since the discovery of America, Hispanics have had a significant role in the development of our great nation; their culture, heritage, and perspective have influenced our way of life. As we acknowledge these contributions, let us renew our understanding of ethnic diversity and the role it has in today's world.

Hispanics in America — 42.7 Million and Growing!

The Postal Service™ is committed to maintaining a tight focus on core products to ensure that universal, affordable postal services continue to have the power to communicate, reach key audiences, and help bind America together. The Postal Service takes great pride in serving one of the most diverse markets in the world. As a universal service provider, the organization serves the needs of all communities, across an array of cultures and customer backgrounds. Everyone has access to our product and services - no matter who they are or where they live.

One of our major focus areas is reaching the nation's Hispanic market segment. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau report, the estimated Hispanic population of the United States (excluding the 3.9 million residents of Puerto Rico) as of July 1, 2005, was 42.7 million, constituting 14 percent of the nation's total population. It is projected that by the year 2050, the Hispanic population in the United States will represent 24 percent of the nation's total population. On another front, the number of Hispanic- owned businesses grew 31 percent between 1997 and 2002 - three times the national average for all businesses - according to a report released on March 21, 2006, by the U.S. Census Bureau. The nearly 1.6 million Hispanic-owned businesses generated approximately $222 billion in revenue, up 19 percent from 1997. Reaching this valuable market segment with products and services continues to be an ongoing challenge to corporate America.

In light of this challenge, the Postal Service continues to identify emerging market strategies that will build awareness within the Hispanic community of our products and services, and continues to make our products accessible to consumers when, where, and how they prefer. In many instances, the "how" can be in how we communicate. And in many cases, that message may have to be in another language.

In-Language Communication Makes Good Business Sense

Rapid growth in the multicultural consumer market has made it even more apparent that businesses need to look at developing in-language communication tools that can effectively target America's culturally diverse customer base.

To meet this need, the Postal Service has developed and made available a menu of in-language communication tools that are designed to inform customers about the services we provide, and assist them in doing business with us. The Multicultural Outreach page on the Postal Blue intranet (http://blue.usps.gov/diversitynet/multicultural/welcome.htm) contains news and information about the multicultural market. One of its most helpful offerings is its menu of in- language translation tools.

The Multicultural Outreach page also offers translation aides for Special Services and product fact sheets for selected Postal Service-products in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Russian. In-language tools provide our non-English speaking customers with a brief description of the products and services offered by the Postal Service, along with step-by-step instructions on how to use Special Service forms.

These translation aides and fact sheets are easy to use and can be printed locally by postmasters and station managers.

Join us as we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.

— National Diversity Initiatives,
Employee Development and Diversity, 9-14-06