Comments on: The USPS – Death Spiral of an Industry? http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html Unbiased insights on Customer Strategy & Loyalty Marketing Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:11:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bill Hanifin http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html/comment-page-1#comment-9735 Bill Hanifin Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:02:28 +0000 http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/?p=3050#comment-9735 Hey Dean, I have officially tossed my phone books and am not sure how much longer the Yellow pages business model will survive. With every day of further smart phone penetration, the value of paper based directories weakens. For me, I touch my Maps icon on my iPhone, search for a business name or type and the GPS returns choices in the area. I can click on the name of a business, get their phone number and address, and I'm on my away. I know it's old hat for some, but I still find the power that exists in the smart phone to be amazing. I'm sure we've just scratched the surface. Hey Dean, I have officially tossed my phone books and am not sure how much longer the Yellow pages business model will survive. With every day of further smart phone penetration, the value of paper based directories weakens.

For me, I touch my Maps icon on my iPhone, search for a business name or type and the GPS returns choices in the area. I can click on the name of a business, get their phone number and address, and I’m on my away.

I know it’s old hat for some, but I still find the power that exists in the smart phone to be amazing. I’m sure we’ve just scratched the surface.

]]> By: Winds of Change for Loyalty Marketing | Loyalty Truth Blog http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html/comment-page-1#comment-9734 Winds of Change for Loyalty Marketing | Loyalty Truth Blog Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:58:14 +0000 http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/?p=3050#comment-9734 [...] announced it is selling more Kindle books than hardcovers, the US Postal Service is in jeopardy, and Continental Airlines will begin allowing travelers to scan themselves on board flights. As [...] [...] announced it is selling more Kindle books than hardcovers, the US Postal Service is in jeopardy, and Continental Airlines will begin allowing travelers to scan themselves on board flights. As [...]

]]> By: Brandon at Access http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html/comment-page-1#comment-9728 Brandon at Access Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:51:43 +0000 http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/?p=3050#comment-9728 Definitely stunning when you consider the numbers. There will always be a need to ship physical items back and forth, but you're right - if the big ticket shippers and marketers decide to cut back, USPS is going to raise their prices into oblivion (assuming they keep this model). On the bright side, perhaps a different agency or private company would then take over the mail infrastructure and create a model that's sustainable. I don't think I'm alone when I say that I pay a great deal of attention to a well done mail piece. Definitely stunning when you consider the numbers. There will always be a need to ship physical items back and forth, but you’re right – if the big ticket shippers and marketers decide to cut back, USPS is going to raise their prices into oblivion (assuming they keep this model).

On the bright side, perhaps a different agency or private company would then take over the mail infrastructure and create a model that’s sustainable. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I pay a great deal of attention to a well done mail piece.

]]> By: The Dude Dean http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html/comment-page-1#comment-9727 The Dude Dean Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:25:35 +0000 http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/?p=3050#comment-9727 Direct mail and phonebooks both need to die. Direct mail and phonebooks both need to die.

]]> By: Tweets that mention The USPS - Death Spiral of an Industry? | Loyalty Truth Blog -- Topsy.com http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html/comment-page-1#comment-9726 Tweets that mention The USPS - Death Spiral of an Industry? | Loyalty Truth Blog -- Topsy.com Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:58:07 +0000 http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/?p=3050#comment-9726 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bill Hanifin and Barry Kirk, Bill Hanifin. Bill Hanifin said: Is it the end for the USPS? Tom Rapsas offers his view on Loyalty Truth Blog - http://spr.ly/6015E6x [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bill Hanifin and Barry Kirk, Bill Hanifin. Bill Hanifin said: Is it the end for the USPS? Tom Rapsas offers his view on Loyalty Truth Blog – http://spr.ly/6015E6x [...]

]]> By: Bill Hanifin http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/2010/07/26/the-usps-death-spiral-of-an-industry.html/comment-page-1#comment-9725 Bill Hanifin Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:45:10 +0000 http://blog.hanifinloyalty.com/?p=3050#comment-9725 The thought of the USPS going the way of the milk man is somehow disturbing, even with the economic considerations pointed out by Tom in this post. There is still a kitchen table in most every home and people like to read and share information while they are gathered up for a meal or a short break. That said, I have not talked with a client in the past year who wanted to test a concept beginning with white mail & the emphasis on cost cutting has accelerated the preference for lower cost channels, mostly email. There is some irony in the fact that USPS publishes a pretty good magazine "Direct" covering the DM space. Pity that they may not be a viable option for many brands in the future. The thought of the USPS going the way of the milk man is somehow disturbing, even with the economic considerations pointed out by Tom in this post.

There is still a kitchen table in most every home and people like to read and share information while they are gathered up for a meal or a short break.

That said, I have not talked with a client in the past year who wanted to test a concept beginning with white mail & the emphasis on cost cutting has accelerated the preference for lower cost channels, mostly email.

There is some irony in the fact that USPS publishes a pretty good magazine “Direct” covering the DM space. Pity that they may not be a viable option for many brands in the future.

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