A funny thing happened on my way to researching the options for the USPS. I got way laid! I must admit that this happens to me a lot, especially when I have ‘chores’ to do. This time, no chores, but I found that when I started doing research with all of my friends in the direct marketing field – they wouldn’t stop talking. I quick discussion turned into a 2-hour meeting. That was repeated multiple times, but it was well worth my time, and therapeutic for them. I left them all with the feeling that they had gotten something off of their collective chests.
What did I learn…a lot! First thing, all are passionate about what they do! They feel that they are contributing to the big marketing effort to sell goods and services, and that direct marketing is still relevant and vibrant. The second thing that I learned is that, they are nearly all wondering, what the hell happened, and this can’t be happening to me.
Where do they go from here, and where the heck do I go from here? More field work I guess, looking for real options that reflect the public mood, and the mood of the users of direct mail and direct marketing. Meanwhile, the battle continues to be waged in the halls of Congress, where hearings will go on,and talk will flow. If we could harness the energy from all of the Congressman’s lips, even on this little subject, the energy crisis would be over…tomorrow.
Seriously, this issue on the future of the USPS is real, and everyone is concerned. The answers aren’t simple, and few agree, today, on what we should do, and what kinds of USPS we should have in the 21st Century. I will continue my journey throughout December to try to bring some sense to the issues, and to try to shed some light on possible solutions, and probable outcomes. Now back to the battlefield to interview more wounded warriors. Roger and Out!
I am 
