The Postal Service’s Business Connect program has surpassed $4 billion in total revenue since its creation, the fourth sales milestone the organization has achieved this year.
Business Connect, which began in 2005, is the Postal Service’s lead-sharing program for Postmasters, managers and supervisors.
A recent example of a Business Connect sales lead: Aline Conrad, officer in charge of the Northridge, CA, Post Office, noticed a large number of parcels were being returned to a business customer for postage due.
She contacted the company, which ships cellphone accessories, to discuss options to resolve the problem.
After Conrad submitted a lead through Business Connect, Sierra Coastal District sales representatives Elizabeth Hernandez and Tony Thompson followed up with the customer. They were eventually able to put together a First-Class Mail package shipping deal for the company.
The deal, which will generate $2.2 million in estimated annualized revenue for USPS, helped Business Connect cross the $4 billion threshold last week.
“Business Connect gives our local postal leaders the ability to go the extra step to help their customers save money and grow their revenue,” said Mary Anderson, small-business engagement director at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. “Local leaders like Aline Conrad know the needs of their customers. They can quickly spot problems and offer ways the Postal Service can better deliver for them.”
Conrad’s shipping deal has also been added to the total for the Postal Service’s Race for a $Billion campaign.
The initiative — which aims to raise $1 billion through employee-provided sales leads before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30 — passed its goal on Aug. 12. The total now stands at $1.05 billion, according to an Aug. 27 ranking of all district contributions.
In March, the Clerks Care program passed $1 billion in revenue since its creation in 2013. In July, the Customer Connect program surpassed the $3 billion mark since its inception in 2003.
The Sales Blue page has more information about Business Connect and the Postal Service’s other lead-sharing programs, which include Customer Connect, Clerks Care, Mail Handlers, Rural Reach and Submit a Lead.
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