Vanaja Thiyagarajan, Eagan, MN
I was impressed by the “How to Pack a Box” video. It’s a great educational tool for our typical customers. […]
Mike Milligan
Posts by Mike Milligan
‘Best in class’
The top executive at a fast-growing company that ships healthy snack boxes to customers is praising the service provided by USPS. Gautam Gupta, chief executive officer of NatureBox, says the Postal Service takes the worry out of shipping. “It allows us to focus on the things we’re good at,” Gupta says in a new video. […]
Hot shot
The power of Political Mail has once again made USA Today’s front page. The newspaper has published a snapshot graphic Oct. 21 based on the recent Postal Service study that found direct mail is more helpful than other media in helping people decide how to vote. The snapshot, which appeared on the front page, shows […]
Think pink
Reminder: The Postal Service is inviting employees to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink Oct. 26. Wear Pink Day aims to raise awareness of the disease, along with the Breast Cancer Research stamp that has raised more than $83 million since its inception in 1998. Employees who participate are required to follow their facility’s dress […]
Rule of thumbs
Did you know only USPS-issued portable devices can be used to transfer some forms of postal information? Non-encrypted portable devices, such as personal flash or thumb drives, shouldn’t be used to store, process or transmit non-publically available postal information. Similarly, personal laptops, tablets and mobile devices are not permitted on the postal network. Contact your […]
Brian Halbakken, Minnetonka, MN
Customer Services Supervisor Aricka Sundstrom was recently eating at her desk in Minnetonka, MN, when she began to choke on a piece of chicken. As soon as she motioned for help, Letter Carrier Brian Halbakken stepped in to assist her. He performed the Heimlich maneuver several times until he dislodged the obstruction. When Sundstrom caught […]
Ruthann Storr, San Diego
I enjoyed the “Rail mail” article about Noel Beaudette, the retired postal employee. I remember rail mail. […]
Columbia, MD, Custodian Reginald Mitchell
“I always position ‘wet floor’ signs and rope off the area I’m mopping with high-visibility tape to prevent any injuries. In my opinion, ‘deliver the brand’ means working safely every day and following all procedures while performing your duties.” […]
SIC PO Box closed
Postal forms are no longer mailed to the Scanning and Imaging Center (SIC) at PO Box 5212, Janesville WI 53547-5212. Postal forms must be completed and submitted through the new eIWS OnLine Forms application. […]
Making changes
USPS is making changes within its Marketing and Deputy Postmaster General organizations to better serve customers. “Although the entire organization is responsible for delivering excellent service and customer experiences, the following changes will sharpen our focus to more effectively reach and engage our customers, and bring their voices and rising expectations more prominently into our […]
Time of need
When Logan Grillot lost her home in a flood last year, she turned to the only place she knew that could help — the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF). The organization, which assists USPS employees who are affected by natural disasters, helped the Elgin, SC, rural carrier get back on her feet. “I get emotional […]
Pink solidarity
The Postal Service is inviting employees to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink Oct. 26. Wear Pink Day aims to raise awareness of the disease, along with the Breast Cancer Research stamp that has raised more than $83 million since its inception in 1998. Employees who participate are required to follow their facility’s dress code […]
Home shopping network
Before there were real estate sites and apps, you could order your dream home through the mail. The Sears department store chain once operated a mail-order homes business that allowed customers to choose the house they liked and have it shipped to them. About 70,000-75,000 homes were sold during a 32-year period, according to the […]
Tammy Ernst, York, PA
A toddler’s mother recently thought he was in the backyard of their York, PA, home, but the child had gotten out and was heading straight for the street. Letter Carrier Tammy Ernst was driving by at just the right moment to avert a potential disaster. She stopped, intercepted the boy and guided him back toward […]
Defusing angry customers
If you encounter an angry customer, try to defuse the situation with a pleasant demeanor. Be courteous, calm and avoid getting into arguments. If necessary, refer the customer to a supervisor. […]
Harietta Finley, Orlando, FL
Thank you, USPS, for celebrating Diwali. The artist also is to be commended for the beauty and serenity of the stamp. […]
Pricing and Costing VP Sharon Owens
“The Postal Service is keeping mail affordable by using data and analytics to improve service and hold back costs. We always want to be the shipper of choice.” […]
Answering the call
Trine Longaker has a special message for postal employees: “Thank you for making my little boy’s day.” Last month, Link shared Trine’s request for postcards for her five-year-old son, Skyler, who has a birth defect that has affected his brain’s growth. Trine recently contacted Link to express her gratitude for all the mail Skyler has […]
Good spirits
Another survey is pointing to a big year for holiday shopping — and shipping. Sixty-two percent of consumers plan to shop online this year, up from 56 percent in 2015, according to a report this week from NPD Group, a business research firm. Online sales spikes often drive big increases in shipping. Two in 10 […]
Finding a cure
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Postal Service is reminding customers that a special stamp purchase can help fund breast cancer research. The 60-cent Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp is available year-round and sold in sheets of 20. Semipostal stamps are sold at a surcharge to raise money for specific causes. More than 1 […]
Write out
The Postal Service’s latest “Shipping Tips” video demonstrates how to properly write an address on a package or envelope. The 2-minute, 30-second segment reviews the basic format for addressing letters and packages, including writing out the recipient’s full name and address, including the ZIP Code. The sender should also include a return address and avoid […]
Atlanta Postal Support Employee Joseph Fisher
“My daily goal is to deliver a clean, well-kept environment.” […]
Read More… from Atlanta Postal Support Employee Joseph Fisher
Michele Eskridge, Grant Park, IL
I enjoyed the “Mail to Mars” article, especially since both my sons are engineers for SpaceX. I just hope neither will want to be the first to travel to Mars. […]
Ransomware attacks
Report suspected ransomware attacks immediately to the CyberSecurity Operations Center at CyberSafe@usps.gov and your manager. […]
Rebeckah Gold, Sacramento, CA
When Sacramento, CA, Letter Carrier Rebeckah Gold noticed an unusual accumulation of mail recently at a customer’s home, she and a neighbor checked on him and found him with a seemingly bruised face and brusque demeanor — but apparently OK. Several days later, though, the pile had grown. Gold asked the sheriff to check on […]
Over there
The Postal Service is offering suggested mail-by dates for customers planning to send holiday packages to military members serving abroad. The dates are listed in an Oct. 11 news release, along with information on ordering USPS military care kits and guidelines for addressing packages to Army/Air Post Offices, Fleet Post Offices and Diplomatic Post Offices. […]
Pack mentality
The latest entry in the Postal Service’s “Shipping Tips” series shows customers how to pack a box before shipping. The 2-minute, 10-second segment offers tips on selecting the right box, packing materials and reinforcements. The video also suggests including a card with the package’s “to” and “from” information inside the box in case it gets damaged […]
Going super strong
Now that USPS has released its four Wonder Woman stamps, do you know just what makes her so, well, wonderful? Few characters have the longevity and influence of Wonder Woman, who debuted 75 years ago in a 1941 issue of All Star Comics. She was introduced in a backup story meant to test her appeal […]
Safe everywhere
The CyberSafe at USPS team is reminding employees to remain vigilant against security threats no matter where they go online. Here are tips for different locations: Workstations. Use your office workstation only for business purposes, and lock your workstation or mobile devices when not in use. Always remember to erase whiteboard walls that contain sensitive […]
Debra Holdsworth, Sherrard, IL
Rural Carrier Debra Holdsworth’s route in Sherrard, IL, recently brought her to the scene of a one-car accident that left the driver seriously injured after hitting a fence. She called 911 and stayed with the young man until emergency responders arrived. He was cut out of the car, flown to a trauma center, and faces […]