A sales lead from a letter carrier in California has resulted in a local shipping deal worth more than $20,000 for the Postal Service.
While delivering mail to a pharmacy on her route, Melanie Sheratte, who works at the Reseda Post Office, took an opportunity to talk with the owner about the Postal Service’s new commercial package delivery program.
Called USPS Connect Local, which began a national rollout in February, the program offers businesses affordable next-day delivery, as well as same-day delivery, Sunday delivery and pickup options in select locations.
After the owner expressed interest in learning more, Sheratte submitted a lead through Customer Connect, a joint USPS and National Association of Letter Carriers program that encourages participants to identify sales opportunities.
Margaret Reynolds, an inside sales representative, followed up with the customer and closed a Connect Local shipping deal worth $20,540 in new estimated annualized revenue for the Postal Service.
Sales generated from Customer Connect leads are included in the USPS Every Lead Counts campaign to raise revenue through sales leads from employees.
“After learning about the new Connect Local program, Melanie knew it could help this customer and she began a conversation with him about it,” said Dorothy Muir, small-business specialist at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. “Letter carriers like Melanie get to know their customers and their needs — and want them to succeed.”
The Postal Service is encouraging as many employees as possible to submit at least one lead through any of its six lead programs by Sept. 30.
The Small Business and Lead Generation Programs Blue page has more information about Customer Connect and the other employee lead programs: Business Connect, Clerks Care, Mail Handlers, Rural Reach and Submit a Lead.
