We live in a different age now than we did fifteen years ago. Technology has replaced traditional means of doing business, making certain businesses more efficient. Just like downloadable music has done to the CD, and downloadable books has done to the paperback, email has decreased the amount of physical mail that is sent through the postal system. With the US Postal System realizing a 20% decrease in mail volume, the
US Postal Service has asked Congress to eliminate 120,000 jobs, resulting in a 30% decrease in it's workforce. While Congress oversees the
US Postal Service, the company does not receive government funding and runs itself much like a private company. The drop-off in mail volume has cost the
US Postal Service $20 billion in losses over the past four years and it is now threatening to become insolvent if there aren't drastic changes to the business model.
The
US Postal Service is often the subject of jokes about horrible customer service, and often times rightfully so. However, this situation appears dire. Eliminating 30% of a workforce is going to have a direct effect on customer service. In a business that relies heavily on human interaction with actual mail delivery coming directly from a human, it's inevitable customers are going to see delays, longer lines, and more frustrating experiences when it comes to mailing a letter or package. The good news, the company is already aware of the issue and is proactively trying to solve the problem. While we never want to see jobs eliminated, companies need to evolve or they are eliminated. By forcing the company to look at it's current business model, and allowing them to realize it no longer works and to launch a proactive plan to reorganize, it will only help them provide better service and products in the future. While this plan may result in a bumpy ride for almost all of us in the near future, hopefully the end result is a leaner, stronger, more efficient product in the future.
For more on the Post Office's proposal to Congress,
click here.
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Posted by GetHuman on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 2:25pm