USPS employees shared peer-to-peer wisdom through Link’s “Best practices” column this year.
Here’s a look at some of their tips:
• Take it outside: Apple Valley, CA, Postmaster Bobby Kimball delivers stand-up talks in his Post Office’s parking lot, where employees are required to stand in a circle so everyone faces each other. “It’s great for everybody being involved,” he says.
• Come prepared: Jefferson City, MO, Retail Associate April Burger is always prepared for passport transactions, including keeping a growth chart on hand so customers can measure their children’s height for applications. “It helps everyone,” she says.
• Make a game of it: To promote workplace cohesion, Aurora, IL, Vehicle Maintenance Facility Manager Jill Jessen helped create You Are Awesome, a game in which employees give cards to co-workers who do a good job. “I want everyone to feel like they’re on a team,” Jessen says.
• Dress for success: Worcester, MA, Letter Carrier John Magliaro believes that as a face of the Postal Service in his community, he should always look his best, so he wears a tie and keeps his shoes shined. “I take pride in my uniform,” Magliaro says.
• Keep it positive: Carol Stream, IL, Retail Associate Tyra Clemons-Lawson has a simple trick for delivering excellent customer service: She smiles.
“If you give [customers] your positive energy, you will get it back,” she says.