Estimated annualized Customer Connect revenue,
through April 26, 2013:

…and counting

Since 2003, letter carriers have used Customer Connect to take advantage of their special relationship with businesses, encouraging business patrons to ship with the U.S. Postal Service instead of with a private delivery service.

Click here to download the Customer Connect lead card.

Improving Customer Connect

Click here to check out Vice President George Mignosi's column in the November 2012 Postal Record.

	Region 8 National Business Agent Pete Moss (r) presented Florence, AL Branch 892 letter carrier Robert Harrington with a certificate in appreciation for generating a $49,404 lead for Customer Connect.
	Region 8 National Business Agent Pete Moss (r) presented Customer Connect certificates of appreciation to Florence, AL Branch 892 letter carriers Larry Murphy (l, ($37,052 lead) and Robin Grissom ($52,000 lead).
District, union and sales-team leaders recently converged on the Temple City, CA post office to congratulate the office for being the first in the Santa Ana District to achieve 100 percent letter carrier participation in Customer Connect. In reaching this milestone, Temple City also became the first office to receive breakfast presented by Santa Ana District leaders in the district-wide “In it to WIN it!” Customer Connect contest. “In the current fiscal climate, we need every one of our employees to be an advocate for our products and services,” District Manager Gerry Ahern said. “And letter carriers are a crucial part of that effort, because you’re at every business door every business day. As you become an effective lead-generating force, we become unstoppable. That’s why your accomplishment in Temple City is so significant. You’ve set an example that I’m going to share around the District.” Temple City was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a letter of congratulations that identified them as a team of “trailblazers” who understand that their relationships with customers are the key to retaining and growing revenue. Representing the NALC was Anita Guzik of Los Angeles Branch 24, who she urged carriers to “keep up the good work bringing in leads,” and reminded them that “the revenue you generate funds our paychecks.” The district’s goal this year was to have every carrier provide at least one quality lead. That’s 5,970 carrier leads, almost seven times more than last year’s goal of 883.” Since Temple City made 100 percent, Rancho San Clemente and Irvine’s Northwood Station have also hit the mark, with others like Harbor City, San Gabriel and La Verne are closing in on the goal. The “In it to WIN it!” Customer Connect contest runs until Sept. 30. Winning post offices receive breakfast sponsored by the district. To win, each carrier must submit a quality lead. Quality leads are those that identify new revenue opportunities.
	Brooklyn, NY Branch 41 letter carrier John Cruz made a Customer Connect presentation at a recent branch meeting.

Persistence pays off—to the tune of nearly half a million

When Hartford, CT Branch 86 letter carrier Derrick Reeves (pictured, left) recognized a possible Customer Connect lead at Canine Fence, a local business on his route, he submitted it to Branch 86 Customer Connect Coordinator Alan Horowitz (right), and it resulted in a new sale. Fellow Branch 86 member Kim Barreno (center) provided Reeves with the contact information, and the sale was the fifth-largest in the nation for the first week of February 2013. 

Canine Fence uses an automated reorder system to ships batteries for dog collars that work with an “invisible fence.” After much work and evaluation, Canine Fence was able to redesign its package as a First-Class flat so it can ship competitively using USPS. Canine Fence’s flexible packaging was approved, and Reeves’ persistence paid off, resulting in a $426,972 sale.

“Congratulations to each and every one of you,” Connecticut Valley District Manager Kimberly Peters wrote. “Your quick response and postal expertise provided the Postal Service with additional new revenue that is critical to the success of our organization.”

Northern New England top performers
are helping the Customer Connect cause

	A lead slip from Presque Isle, ME Branch 2394’s Tim Oldenburg resulted in $56,000 in new postal revenue.
	New Hampshire Merged Branch 44’s Jeanne Gauthier turned in a lead that developed into a new $23,000 account.

Here are just a few of their accomplishments:

• Jim Harding, Boston Branch 34: $225,000
• Richard Bucci, Boston Branch 34: $91,160
• Guy Mills, Worcester, MA Branch 12: $85,000
• Raymond Haaker, Worcester, MA Branch 12: $26,000
• George Ditson, Lawrence, MA Branch 212: $25,000

Honorable mentions: David Peris, Southeast Massachusetts Merged Branch 18; John Williams, Boston Branch 24; Terrence Connolly, Boston Branch 34.

Ashland letter carriers submitted 46 new leads in the third week of February, with Framingham carriers submitting 33 leads, and Woburn carriers submitting 22.

Recent million-dollar carriers

Congratulations to two recent Million-Dollar Club "inductees" from Michigan—

Michael Chevillot, Western Wayne County Branch 2184
Westland Post Office, Westland
Company: Heartland America
Estimated annual revenue: $1 million

Sandra Mulkey, Mt. Clemens Branch 654
Clinton-Macomb Annex, Macomb Township
Company: JMA Services
Estimated annual revenue: $1.2 million

Million-dollar sales

Greg White, president of Gulfport, MS Br. 1374 and president of the Mississippi State Association, approached Grace Healthcare about its use of UPS for its shipping needs. White said that USPS could offer Grace a better product at a better price. At first, White’s news seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. But sometime later, he was delivering the company’s mail when the store manager asked White for more information on Priority Flat Rate Shipping. The manager realized UPS was charging a fuel surcharge for its package pick-up service. White gave the manager a Priority Flat Rate sales pitch, then provided a Customer Connect information card, adding that the Postal Service actually delivers quite a number of UPS packages. The manager’s response: “I think it’s about time to eliminate the middle man.” USPS now picks up in excess of 100 Priority Mail and First Class packages a day from Grace Health Care, generating approximately $1.2 million in new postal revenue. “City carriers are told we should always be professional,” White said. "Being ‘professional’ also means knowing your company’s products.” Picture with White is Gulfport Station Manager Cherie Ferguson, whom White said was—and is—instrumental in keeping Grace Healthcare satisfied with our service.

	Melbourne, FL Branch 2689 letter carrier Janet Paschette does a lot of online shopping at Christmas time. Her son Joseph is a national sales rep in the skateboarding industry. For Christmas, she bought Joseph presents from several companies, which were delivered to her house by UPS and FedEx. Janet took pictures of the return address labels and gave them to the NALC Customer Connect Coordinator Mike Clark. Mike submitted the lead in December 2011; after working the lead for a year, the USPS sales rep finally closed a sale to one of the companies, Diamond Supply, which will now ship with USPS to the tune of $941,700 using Priority Mail. This is the largest sale the Melbourne installation has ever had since the inception of Customer Connect. Great looking out, Janet.
	Bay City, Michigan Branch 187 President Dean Kukla unloads his LLV containing more than 400 parcels from Kukla's Customer Connect lead Boozin Gear, which ships hundreds of parcels per day.
	At a breakfast recognizing Customer Connect leaders, Fort Wayne, Indiana Branch 116 member Jeff Burns was recently singled out for securing a lead that led to $3.2 million sale. Pictured with Burns are Branch 116 President Becky Riley and Region 6 National Business Agent Pat Carroll.
	Philadelphia Branch 157 member Terry Scudder (c) was recognized for her Customer Connect lead that turned into a $1.3 million account from uniform company Flynn and O'Hara. Pictured at the Torresdale Station in Philadelphia are (from l) NALC Region 12 National Business Agent Bill Lucini, Scudder, and Branch 157 President Randy Zebin.
	Region 15 NBA Larry Cirelli (l) presented Branch 6000 letter carrier Robert Losco with a certificate from NALC President Fredric Rolando honoring Losco’s submission of a Customer Connect lead at the Plainview Post Office that resulted in a $2,828,800 sale.
	Region 15 NBA Larry Cirelli (l) presented Branch 6000 letter carrier Glenn Forst with a certificate from NALC President Fredric Rolando honoring Losco’s submission of a Customer Connect lead at the Dear Park Post Office that resulted in a $1,178,814 sale.
	Region 11 NBA Dan Toth (l) and Columbus Branch 78 President Todd Hornyak present Branch 78 letter carrier Marsha Johnson with a certificate from NALC President Fredric Rolando honoring Johnson’s submission of a Customer Connect lead for Synergy Media Ltd. at the Short North Station. The lead resulted in $1 million in revenue for the Postal Service.
	NALC President Fredric Rolando congratulates Alexandria, VA Br. 567's Eduardo Flores for recent admission to Customer Connect's Million-Dollar Club.
	USPS Suncoast District Manager Nancy Rettinhouser (l) and NALC Region 9 National Business Agent Judy Willoughby (r) present Clearwater, FL Br. 2008 letter carrier Michelle Molen with a certificate honoring her capture of a million-dollar Customer Connect lead.
	Region 9 NBA Judy Willoughby joins South Florida Branch 1071 President and National Trustee Mike Gill (r) in honoring Carmen Frongillo for Customer Connect lead-generation leading to at least $1 million in revenue for the Postal Service.
	Syracuse Branch 134 member Gary Savage (left) of the Franklin Square Station receives congratulations from Region 11 RAA Ron Adams. Gary joined the Million-Dollar Club with a $1.3 million Customer Connect sale to Dupli Graphic. It took multiple attempts to finally get the sale but Gary's perseverance paid off.

Kingsport, TN

Kinsgport, TN Branch 1999 letter carriers are thrilled to be honored for their Customer Connect contributions. Pictured are (from l) Timothy Hatcher, Tommy E. Smith, and James K. Feagins.

Colorado’s first million-dollar Customer Connect carrier

Colorado’s first million-dollar Customer Connect carrier, Matt Damian of Arvada Branch 4405, submitted a lead for FulCircle Fulfillment after owner and Damian's longtime friend J.R. Jones asked

Pictured from l: NALC Vice President George Mignosi, Br. 4405's Matt Damian, Arvada Postmaster Jose Negron and Region 4 National Business Agent Roger Bledsoe.

him about shipping with the Postal Service. Damian informed Jones of our product and services and put him in touch with the CO/WY Customer Connect coordinator. A meeting was set for Jones to meet with a mailing solutions specialist and a shipping solutions specialist to work out the details.

FulCircle was interested in fulfilling orders for a client who sells video games. Impressed with our Regional Rate “A” box weight capabilities, and the cost of First Class parcels, FulCircle is currently sending 11,000 parcels for the one client with an anticipated growth of more than 10 times that number. Estimated annual revenue from this sale is $1.18 million.

Way to go, Matt, for keeping an eye out for that golden nugget and for submitting your Customer Connect lead. We look forward to your next million-dollar lead!

Region 13 RAA Hugh McElroy addresses Richmond, VA letter carriers to remind them they do not have to be a sales person to participate in Customer Connect. (From Cap Metro Leader)

Customer Connect Informational Sales Talk
Weeks of Oct. 1 and Oct. 8, 2012

SUBJECT:   How to find a great Customer Connect Leads

As we continue to look for new business and new revenue, we have provided the list below to help you identify businesses on your routes that may have the potential to use the Postal Service for their shipping and mailing needs.

These types of businesses are most likely to have the most potential to ship packages or advertise using Every Door Direct Mail:

• Books, manuals, photo supplies
• Cellular phones and accessory outlets
• Clothing / jewelry stores
• Computer repair, memory, printer ink cartridges, etc
• Medical/dental supplies
• E-Bay Sellers
• Fishing supplies and other retail sporting goods
• Music/video CDs/DVDs
• Small replacement parts
• Small Office Home Office (SOHO)
• Vitamins/supplements/health products

These are a few examples of the many types of business customers that might be found on your route.

Our new lower online pricing, convenient flat rate products, no fuel or residential surcharges are just a few reasons why your customers will be interested in using the U.S. Postal service for their shipping and mailing needs. They can save time and money.

The next time you visit a business that uses one of our competitors, ask them if they would be interested in someone contacting them about ways the Postal Service can save them money and help them gain new customers. If they are interested, simply complete a Customer Connect Lead Card and submit it to your manager. The Sales Team will contact the customer within days. 

Thank you for your support!

2012 Million-Dollar Club

From Fiscal Year 2008 to date, there have been 49 million-dollar sales for Customer Connect. Click here to view an Excel spreadsheet containing the details.

Below are the names and stats of nine letter carriers who, during FY 2012, have submitted Customer Connect leads that subsequently became million-dollar sales. Thanks and congratulations to these carriers who contributed to our effort to preserve letter carrier jobs and benefits.

Click here to view the OIG's report on letter carrier contributions to Customer Connect.