National Consumer Protection Week. For consumers, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) was held March 3–8, 2013. The Postal Service joined the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, AARP and other organizations to educate consumers on how to guard against fraudulent foreign lottery scams. The theme for 2013 was “Dollars and Sense — Rated A for All Ages.” Post Offices displayed educational posters and “take-one” brochures in their lobbies. Offices were also invited to hold local events and discussions with their customers. By educating customers, the goal was to help them avoid being scammed, as well as to provide information on what to do if they become victims of a scam. The Inspection Service also aired educational news segments on fraudulent foreign lottery scams in 84 major broadcast markets.
Consumer Alert News Network. To inform and protect the public, the Postal Inspection Service has launched a Consumer Alert News Network (CANN). Each month, 12 news stories are created featuring Inspection Service investigations of fraud — such as bogus job offers, sweepstakes swindles and fake charities. Inspectors, as well as victims, discuss the cases to educate consumers on how to avoid being scammed. Fines collected from convicted criminals fund CANN productions. Each story reaches about 3 million TV viewers. In its first year, 144 episodes have been airing on 111 TV stations. That is twice the number of stations planned and surpasses the third-year goal of reaching 100 stations. Many episodes are available on station websites, providing exposure to even more consumers. An Inspection Service public service announcement is aired for every segment to reinforce the consumer-awareness message.
National Postal Forum. From March 17–20, 2013, 3,300 large and small business customers attended the annual National Postal Forum held in San Francisco, CA. Since 1968, the National Postal Forum has been the preeminent mailing industry meeting bringing together the Postal Service and its major customers — including corporations, state and local governments and nonprofit groups. The four days of business sessions featured more than 130 educational opportunities and explored topics ranging from strategy to operations and marketing to technology. Senior managers of the Postal Service also met with industry customers to resolve mailer’s issues, and the USPS sales force used the NPF to identify and close high-value revenue opportunities. Organized by a separate not-for-profit educational corporation, this once-a-year event presents a unique opportunity for existing and prospective customers to meet and interact with USPS management and hear about existing and upcoming USPS products and services.
Mailing Industry Dialog. The Postmaster General’s Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) is a venue for the United States Postal Service to share technical information with mailers and to receive advice and recommendations from mailers on matters concerning mail-related products and services in order to enhance customer value and expand the use of these products for mutual benefit.
Postal Customer Councils (PCCs). Postal Customer Councils are made up of Postal Service leaders and business mailers who work together to promote the value of mail, address mailing concerns and exchange ideas to maximize the benefits of the U.S. Postal Service products, programs, services and procedures used by all businesses that touch the mail. Through regular meetings, educational programs, mailer clinics and seminars, PCC members learn about the latest Postal products and services that will help them grow their businesses. There are more than 170 active Postal Customer Councils nationwide.
National PCC Week is an annual event that brings together thousands of mailers, industry partners and customers nationwide to recognize their contributions to the Postal Service, outline future plans and goals and hear the annual state of the business address by the Postmaster General and CEO.
Business Service Network. The Business Service Network (BSN) is a nationwide network dedicated to providing service support to the U.S. Postal Service's largest customers for service issues, information and request needs. The BSN is strategically positioned to have an impact on customer satisfaction, and revenue growth and retention.
The Business Service Network provides customer service for the Postal Service's 22,000 largest customers. BSN customers have a combination of complex issues across multiple areas, generate extremely high Postal revenue and are assigned to an Account Manager or National Account Manager.
