Just a reminder, ship out those packages early this week. Thanksgiving Day is this Thursday and the Parcel delivery companies will be closed for the holiday.
USPS: Closed Thursday November 24, 2005
FedEx: Closed Thursday November 24, 2005
UPS: Closed Thursday & Friday November 24-25, 2005
Fast-Pack will also be closed in observance of the holiday. All orders placed after 5:00pm EST on Wednesday Nov. 23, 2005 will ship on Monday Nov. 28, 2005
Upcoming Holiday closures:
USPSMonday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Monday, January 2, 2006 - New Year's Day
UPS
Christmas Day - December 25, 2005
Day after Christmas - December 26, 2005
New Year’s Eve - December 31, 2005
FedEx
Sunday, Dec. 25th Christmas Day
Monday, Dec. 26th Day after Christmas
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Packaging your brand for success
When most people hear the word “brand” they immediately think “logos” - but in fact, branding is so much more than that. A brand involves blending the image, purpose, and focus of your business, with your core marketing message, and coming up with something which will stick in the minds of people who encounter it. It is who you are and what you do, packaged neatly, clearly, and memorably. A logo is only one element that works to reinforce a brand. In a moment, we’ll talk about another tangible way to package your brand and make your brand memorable.
Practically any business or professional can benefit from a strong brand. But branding is even more important for micro businesses and competitive ecommerce businesses, because they face tighter competition and have to work harder to be seen and recalled. A well executed brand and identity can help them compete on a larger playing field, appear more professional, and stand out from the hordes of competitors.
Once you know how you want to be remembered, your image and your message needs to communicate that. The image can simply be a consistent look used in all your correspondence, a logo that marks everything that comes from your business, and the identity you use on your web site and brochure. The message can be a tag line, your 30 second "elevator speech," and woven through the content on your web site.
A logo is only one manifestation of brand identity, used to create a memorable impression, but it is useless if you have not clearly defined your audience and the focus of your business. In fact, a logo isn’t even a requirement of a brand as there are plenty of clearly branded businesses using only consistent fonts or colors in their marketing collateral.
Every concept has a color and every color represents certain feelings and emotions. For example:
Blue can be conservative, healing, soothing
Brown can be traditional, conservative
Yellow is celebratory, happy and alert
Purple is regal, mysterious and spiritual
Red is exciting and attention getting
Using color can be a powerful way to brand because with just a glance, your customers will be reminded of your business. The human memory is symbolic and abstract – in fact, memory experts often advise connecting a color, feeling or even song with something, in order to trigger a recall. As a business owner, you can take advantage of color psychology to choose the color to evoke the feeling you want – and then reinforce that color as part of your brand. This brings me to the new idea I want to share with you for branding your business!
If you’re in the type of business that sends products to your customers, you are familiar with packaging. Clear tape… brown Kraft paper… Bubble Wrap… YAWN. When your product arrives, people first look to see who sent it – read the label – and then tear it to get what’s inside. It’s job over, the packaging goes in the trash. And your brand – that probably went right over their head. If this is how YOU package things, you might be missing an incredible opportunity to build your brand!
Say you have branded your business around the color blue. You’re sending out your product to a customer wrapped in blue Bubble Wrap, with a big blue bow. With your label on the outside and bright blue packaging, you’re sure to bring a smile to their face.
Or, you send someone a copy of your book, in a box sealed in bright red tape – wow – who ever would expect that in the mail? The next time they see the delivery man coming with a box like that – they’re going to know instantly know who sent it, aren’t they?
Maybe you have a small package to send to your best customers – a copy of your signed book or CD, or a few samples of your newest product. Instead of sending it in a plain bubble envelope, you could use one of the many sizes and colors of Bubble Wrap envelopes, and really get their attention!
Customers notice these little details, believe me! If you take the time to delight them with your packaging, they’re going to want to receive things more from you than if you sent everything in clear tape or brown boxes. It is those details that make the difference when they are thinking about where to buy from again, telling their friends about you and anticipating the delivery.
Another benefit you might not realize is this: say your customer decided to spend a large sum on a “non essential” product for themselves. Not as a gift, not as a business write off but just because they wanted to. And in the days prior to arrival, they might even be thinking “Yikes – what did I just do?!” But then when it arrives it comes looking like a gift, wrapped beautifully, splashed with color. How can they possibly feel anything but wonderful at that moment?
You could also take advantage of this up front – and tell people right in your literature or web site what they or their recipient can expect. Make it part of the stellar customer service, the extra mile, that you go.
That, right there, is what a positive brand is made of.
I’ll bet you’re thinking this is going to cost more than you want to spend on packaging. You would be surprised! Colored Bubble Wrap actually costs the same as plain. You can get tissue paper and packing tape in nearly every color imaginable. Obviously, the packaging is a necessity – if you ship products, you need packaging. Why not take advantage of this chance to stand out, brand your business and please your customer?
© 2005 All Rights Reserved
###Eileen Parzek is an award winning graphic designer and writer providing both digital and print graphic design and web design services. Always found at the intersection of information, creativity and technology, her business, SOHO It Goes! Business Design Studio (www.sohoitgoes.com) helps small businesses make a big impression.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you currently using your packaging as a branding tool? We would like to hear or even see, how you are using your packaging to brand your company and any feedback that you have received from your customers. We would love to see photos of how you use our packaging products, and share them with other Fast-Pack customers. Send any images or feedback you have received about your packaging to jason@fast-pack.com . Thanks Again!
POST OFFICE Closed Friday Nov. 11th - Veterans Day
Just a reminder, The United States Post Office will be closed on Friday Novemeber 11, 2005, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday.
UPS and FedEx will still be operating, making Pick ups and deliveries.
UPS and FedEx will still be operating, making Pick ups and deliveries.
Monday, November 07, 2005
POSTAL SERVICE DOES IT AGAIN IN OVERNIGHT FIRST-CLASS MAIL DELIVERY
POSTAL SERVICE DOES IT AGAIN IN OVERNIGHT FIRST-CLASS MAIL DELIVERY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Postal Service's high level of service performance remains constant through another measurement period. Its on-time overnight delivery of First-Class Mail earned a 95 percent performance score as measured independently by IBM Consulting Services and announced today during the agency's Board of Governors meeting in Washington, D.C.
This accomplishment marks the 11th consecutive measurement period in which the organization has scored 95 percent or better for on-time overnight delivery of First-Class Mail.
This fourth quarter measurement for fiscal year 2005 also cites two-day service performance at 91 percent and three-day, which is carried by air and can be subject to delays, at 90 percent once again, up from 83 percent in the second quarter.
This report provides an independent assessment of the time it takes First-Class Mail, once it's deposited into collection boxes, to be delivered to homes, businesses and Post Office boxes nationwide.
Five of the USPS' geographic service territories reached 97 percent on-time overnight scores during this reporting period. They are Spokane (eastern Washington State and Idaho); Central Plains (Nebraska, southwest Iowa and most of Kansas); Albany (northern, eastern, central portions of New York State); Richmond, VA; and Baltimore, MD.
During the same period, customer satisfaction was also measured. At 94 percent, this score is up from 93 percent last quarter. This achievement marks the sixteenth continuous quarter the Postal Service has earned a 93 percent or better customer satisfaction measurement score.
In addition, eight Postal Service territories achieved customer satisfaction scores of 97 percent. They are Dakotas (North and South Dakota and northeast Minnesota); Massachusetts (most portions of the State of Massachusetts); Western New York (western portion of New York State, including Buffalo and Rochester); Albany (northern, eastern, central portions of New York State); New Hampshire/ Vermont (all of each state); Pittsburgh, PA; Appalachian (Kentucky and West Virginia); and Hawkeye (Missouri, Iowa and portions of Kansas).
Also, Chairman Miller noted the board had received from the Postal Rate Commission its recommendation on the escrow rate case that is intended to cover the 5.4 percent, $3.1 billion escrow obligation contained in Public Law 108-18. He said the Governors will consider that recommendation on Monday, November 7, 2005 and possibly vote on it later in the month.
In other business, the Board of Governors announced rate changes for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, and that international rates will increase 5.9 percent. Also, announced was that the HSBC North America Holdings Inc. National Service Agreement is effective today.
- Hurricane-affected ZIP Codes 700, 701 and 395 were not tested in the later portion of this measurement period. -
EXFC Overnight Service Results
July 1 - September 30, 2005 (PQ Iv, FY 2005)
EXFC externally measures collection box to mailbox delivery performance. EXFC continuously tests a panel of 463 ZIP Code areas selected on the basis of geographic and volume density from which 90% of First-Class volume originates and 80% destinates. EXFC is not a system-wide Measurement of all First-Class Mail performance.
PERFORMANCE CLUSTER RESULTS ZIP CODE SERVICE AREAS
ALABAMA 96 350, 351, 352, 358, 361, 366
ALASKA* 97 995, 996
ALBANY 97 120, 121, 122, 123, 128, 130, 131, 132, 135, 139
ALBUQUERQUE 95 870, 871
APPALACHIAN 95 240, 250, 251, 252, 253, 263, 264, 265
ARIZONA 95 850, 852, 853, 855, 856, 857
ARKANSAS 96 720, 721, 722, 723, 727
ATLANTA 94 300, 301, 302, 303
BALTIMORE 97 210, 211, 212, 214, 217, 219
BAY VALLEY 95 939, 945, 946, 947, 948, 950, 951
BIG SKY 96 590, 591, 598
BOSTON 96 021, 024
CAPITAL 96 200, 206, 207, 208, 209
CARIBBEAN 93 009
CENTRAL FLORIDA 95 327, 328, 329, 334
CENTRAL ILLINOIS 96 604, 605, 616, 617, 618, 627
CENTRAL NEW JERSEY 95 077, 085, 086, 088, 089
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 95 170, 171, 172, 176, 178, 185, 187, 196
CENTRAL PLAINS 97 515, 516, 666, 670, 671, 672, 680, 681, 685
CHICAGO 94 606, 607
CINCINNATI 95 410, 436, 450, 451, 452, 454, 458, 470
COLORADO/WYOMING 96 800, 801, 802, 803, 809, 820
COLUMBUS 95 430, 431, 432, 433
CONNECTICUT 95 060, 061, 062, 064, 069
DAKOTAS 96 570, 571, 573, 581
DALLAS 94 750, 751, 752, 754, 757
DETROIT 95 481, 482, 492
ERIE 96 159, 161, 164, 165, 166
FORT WORTH 95 760, 761, 762, 764, 791, 794
GATEWAY 94 620, 622, 630, 631, 633, 652
GREATER INDIANA 95 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 466, 468, 469, 473, 478, 479
GREATER MICHIGAN 96 486, 488, 489, 490, 493, 494, 495
GREATER SOUTH CAROLINA 96 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296
GREENSBORO 95 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 286
HAWKEYE 96 500, 501, 502, 503, 507, 511, 520, 524, 612
HONOLULU 96 967, 968
HOUSTON 95 770, 772, 773, 774
KENTUCKIANA 96 400, 401, 402, 405, 406, 471, 477
LAKELAND 95 530, 531, 532, 535, 537, 543, 544, 549
LONG ISLAND 94 115, 117, 118, 119
LOS ANGELES 93 900, 902, 903, 904, 905
LOUISIANA 95 700, 701, 705, 708, 711
MAINE 95 040, 041, 043, 044, 045, 048
MASSACHUSETTS 94 010, 011, 012, 013, 015, 016, 017, 018, 019
MID-AMERICA 95 640, 641, 658, 661, 662
MID-CAROLINAS 94 280, 281, 282, 283, 288, 297
MISSISSIPPI 96 386, 390, 391, 392, 395
NEVADA-SIERRA 96 890, 891, 895
NEW HAMPSHIRE/VERMONT 95 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 038, 050, 054
NEW YORK 94 100, 104
NORTH FLORIDA 95 320, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 96 600, 601, 602, 603, 611
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY 95 070, 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 078, 079
NORTHERN OHIO 93 440, 441, 442, 443, 445, 447, 449
NORTHERN VIRGINIA 96 201, 220, 221, 222, 223
NORTHLAND 96 540, 546, 550, 551, 553, 554, 559, 563
OKLAHOMA 95 730, 731, 740, 741, 743
PHILADELPHIA METRO 96 180, 189, 190, 191, 193, 194
PITTSBURGH 95 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 156
PORTLAND 95 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 986
RICHMOND 97 224, 225, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 238
RIO GRANDE 95 765, 767, 780, 781, 782, 784, 786, 787, 788, 789, 797, 799
SACRAMENTO 94 937, 952, 956, 957, 958
SALT LAKE CITY 96 840, 841, 844
SAN DIEGO 96 919, 920, 921, 924
SAN FRANCISCO 95 940, 941, 943, 944, 949
SANTA ANA 95 906, 907, 908, 917, 918, 926, 927, 928
SEATTLE 96 980, 981, 982, 984, 985
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 94 480, 483, 484, 485
SOUTH FLORIDA 92 330, 331, 332, 333
SOUTH GEORGIA 96 309, 310, 312, 314, 319
SOUTH JERSEY 96 080, 081, 082, 083, 084, 197, 198
SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND 95 020, 023, 027, 028, 029
SPOKANE 97 835, 837, 838, 990, 991, 992, 994
SUNCOAST 95 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 341, 342, 346
TENNESSEE 96 370, 371, 372, 374, 379, 380, 381
TRIBORO 95 110, 112, 113, 114, 116
VAN NUYS 94 911, 913, 914, 915, 916, 930, 931, 933
WESTCHESTER 96 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 125
WESTERN NEW YORK 96 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146
* No Overnight standard. Score shown is for two-day performance.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Postal Service's high level of service performance remains constant through another measurement period. Its on-time overnight delivery of First-Class Mail earned a 95 percent performance score as measured independently by IBM Consulting Services and announced today during the agency's Board of Governors meeting in Washington, D.C.
This accomplishment marks the 11th consecutive measurement period in which the organization has scored 95 percent or better for on-time overnight delivery of First-Class Mail.
This fourth quarter measurement for fiscal year 2005 also cites two-day service performance at 91 percent and three-day, which is carried by air and can be subject to delays, at 90 percent once again, up from 83 percent in the second quarter.
This report provides an independent assessment of the time it takes First-Class Mail, once it's deposited into collection boxes, to be delivered to homes, businesses and Post Office boxes nationwide.
Five of the USPS' geographic service territories reached 97 percent on-time overnight scores during this reporting period. They are Spokane (eastern Washington State and Idaho); Central Plains (Nebraska, southwest Iowa and most of Kansas); Albany (northern, eastern, central portions of New York State); Richmond, VA; and Baltimore, MD.
During the same period, customer satisfaction was also measured. At 94 percent, this score is up from 93 percent last quarter. This achievement marks the sixteenth continuous quarter the Postal Service has earned a 93 percent or better customer satisfaction measurement score.
In addition, eight Postal Service territories achieved customer satisfaction scores of 97 percent. They are Dakotas (North and South Dakota and northeast Minnesota); Massachusetts (most portions of the State of Massachusetts); Western New York (western portion of New York State, including Buffalo and Rochester); Albany (northern, eastern, central portions of New York State); New Hampshire/ Vermont (all of each state); Pittsburgh, PA; Appalachian (Kentucky and West Virginia); and Hawkeye (Missouri, Iowa and portions of Kansas).
Also, Chairman Miller noted the board had received from the Postal Rate Commission its recommendation on the escrow rate case that is intended to cover the 5.4 percent, $3.1 billion escrow obligation contained in Public Law 108-18. He said the Governors will consider that recommendation on Monday, November 7, 2005 and possibly vote on it later in the month.
In other business, the Board of Governors announced rate changes for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, and that international rates will increase 5.9 percent. Also, announced was that the HSBC North America Holdings Inc. National Service Agreement is effective today.
- Hurricane-affected ZIP Codes 700, 701 and 395 were not tested in the later portion of this measurement period. -
EXFC Overnight Service Results
July 1 - September 30, 2005 (PQ Iv, FY 2005)
EXFC externally measures collection box to mailbox delivery performance. EXFC continuously tests a panel of 463 ZIP Code areas selected on the basis of geographic and volume density from which 90% of First-Class volume originates and 80% destinates. EXFC is not a system-wide Measurement of all First-Class Mail performance.
PERFORMANCE CLUSTER RESULTS ZIP CODE SERVICE AREAS
ALABAMA 96 350, 351, 352, 358, 361, 366
ALASKA* 97 995, 996
ALBANY 97 120, 121, 122, 123, 128, 130, 131, 132, 135, 139
ALBUQUERQUE 95 870, 871
APPALACHIAN 95 240, 250, 251, 252, 253, 263, 264, 265
ARIZONA 95 850, 852, 853, 855, 856, 857
ARKANSAS 96 720, 721, 722, 723, 727
ATLANTA 94 300, 301, 302, 303
BALTIMORE 97 210, 211, 212, 214, 217, 219
BAY VALLEY 95 939, 945, 946, 947, 948, 950, 951
BIG SKY 96 590, 591, 598
BOSTON 96 021, 024
CAPITAL 96 200, 206, 207, 208, 209
CARIBBEAN 93 009
CENTRAL FLORIDA 95 327, 328, 329, 334
CENTRAL ILLINOIS 96 604, 605, 616, 617, 618, 627
CENTRAL NEW JERSEY 95 077, 085, 086, 088, 089
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 95 170, 171, 172, 176, 178, 185, 187, 196
CENTRAL PLAINS 97 515, 516, 666, 670, 671, 672, 680, 681, 685
CHICAGO 94 606, 607
CINCINNATI 95 410, 436, 450, 451, 452, 454, 458, 470
COLORADO/WYOMING 96 800, 801, 802, 803, 809, 820
COLUMBUS 95 430, 431, 432, 433
CONNECTICUT 95 060, 061, 062, 064, 069
DAKOTAS 96 570, 571, 573, 581
DALLAS 94 750, 751, 752, 754, 757
DETROIT 95 481, 482, 492
ERIE 96 159, 161, 164, 165, 166
FORT WORTH 95 760, 761, 762, 764, 791, 794
GATEWAY 94 620, 622, 630, 631, 633, 652
GREATER INDIANA 95 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 466, 468, 469, 473, 478, 479
GREATER MICHIGAN 96 486, 488, 489, 490, 493, 494, 495
GREATER SOUTH CAROLINA 96 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296
GREENSBORO 95 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 286
HAWKEYE 96 500, 501, 502, 503, 507, 511, 520, 524, 612
HONOLULU 96 967, 968
HOUSTON 95 770, 772, 773, 774
KENTUCKIANA 96 400, 401, 402, 405, 406, 471, 477
LAKELAND 95 530, 531, 532, 535, 537, 543, 544, 549
LONG ISLAND 94 115, 117, 118, 119
LOS ANGELES 93 900, 902, 903, 904, 905
LOUISIANA 95 700, 701, 705, 708, 711
MAINE 95 040, 041, 043, 044, 045, 048
MASSACHUSETTS 94 010, 011, 012, 013, 015, 016, 017, 018, 019
MID-AMERICA 95 640, 641, 658, 661, 662
MID-CAROLINAS 94 280, 281, 282, 283, 288, 297
MISSISSIPPI 96 386, 390, 391, 392, 395
NEVADA-SIERRA 96 890, 891, 895
NEW HAMPSHIRE/VERMONT 95 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 038, 050, 054
NEW YORK 94 100, 104
NORTH FLORIDA 95 320, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 96 600, 601, 602, 603, 611
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY 95 070, 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 078, 079
NORTHERN OHIO 93 440, 441, 442, 443, 445, 447, 449
NORTHERN VIRGINIA 96 201, 220, 221, 222, 223
NORTHLAND 96 540, 546, 550, 551, 553, 554, 559, 563
OKLAHOMA 95 730, 731, 740, 741, 743
PHILADELPHIA METRO 96 180, 189, 190, 191, 193, 194
PITTSBURGH 95 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 156
PORTLAND 95 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 986
RICHMOND 97 224, 225, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 238
RIO GRANDE 95 765, 767, 780, 781, 782, 784, 786, 787, 788, 789, 797, 799
SACRAMENTO 94 937, 952, 956, 957, 958
SALT LAKE CITY 96 840, 841, 844
SAN DIEGO 96 919, 920, 921, 924
SAN FRANCISCO 95 940, 941, 943, 944, 949
SANTA ANA 95 906, 907, 908, 917, 918, 926, 927, 928
SEATTLE 96 980, 981, 982, 984, 985
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 94 480, 483, 484, 485
SOUTH FLORIDA 92 330, 331, 332, 333
SOUTH GEORGIA 96 309, 310, 312, 314, 319
SOUTH JERSEY 96 080, 081, 082, 083, 084, 197, 198
SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND 95 020, 023, 027, 028, 029
SPOKANE 97 835, 837, 838, 990, 991, 992, 994
SUNCOAST 95 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 341, 342, 346
TENNESSEE 96 370, 371, 372, 374, 379, 380, 381
TRIBORO 95 110, 112, 113, 114, 116
VAN NUYS 94 911, 913, 914, 915, 916, 930, 931, 933
WESTCHESTER 96 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 125
WESTERN NEW YORK 96 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146
* No Overnight standard. Score shown is for two-day performance.
MEXICO’S VOTE BY MAIL REGISTRATION.
MEXICO’S VOTE BY MAIL REGISTRATION. The Postal Service is supporting Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) to help Mexicans in the United States vote by mail in their presidential elections next year. Mexicans living abroad who wish to vote by mail can pick up applications at any Mexican embassy or consulate throughout the United States, or download them from the IFE website. Completed applications must be sent via Registered Mail for them to be accepted by the IFE in Mexico. With the $7.50 Registered Mail fee, plus 85-cents postage, applicants will pay $8.35 at USPS retail windows for every piece of IFE mail.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
USPS: HURRICANE WILMA UPDATE
HURRICANE WILMA UPDATE. Officials say it could be mid-November until power is restored to portions of Wilma-ravaged Florida as residents continue to line up daily for ice and basic necessities. Throughout the state, USPS is restoring retail and delivery service in areas where it is safe to do so.Many Florida Post Offices are running on portable generators so delivery and retail services can resume. Click here for service updates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)