Two Illinois Postmasters have submitted more than 50 sales leads between them this year.
The Postal Service recently recognized Mardi Hudson of Galena, IL, and Jo Bittinger of Sterling, IL, for the revenue their leads, submitted through the Business Connect program, have brought in.
The organization has designated August as Business Connect Month to celebrate the program, which is a way for Postmasters, managers and supervisors to initiate discussions with customers about USPS products and services.
The Postmasters shared some advice on reaching out to local businesses.
“Go to the stores,” said Hudson. “Observe what’s coming into your office. If you don’t know what your customers are mailing, you’re not going to be successful in our business.”
Bittinger agreed about the importance of having conversations.
“Especially now, when companies are looking for ways to get their product out,” she said.
Since its inception in 2005, the Business Connect program has generated more than $3.95 billion in new estimated annualized revenue, including more than $320 million for the current fiscal year.
This year’s Business Connect revenue is counted toward the Postal Service’s Race for a $Billion campaign goal.
The initiative — which is at $965 million, according to an Aug. 6 ranking of all district contributions — aims to raise $1 billion through employee-provided sales leads before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
“Mardi and Jo know the importance of talking to our customers,” said Mary Anderson, small-business engagement director at USPS headquarters. “When we know what their businesses need, we can make a difference for them.”
The Sales Blue page has more information about Business Connect and the Postal Service’s other lead-sharing programs, which include Clerks Care, Customer Connect, Mail Handlers, Rural Reach and Submit a Lead.
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