Ever watch an ad on YouTube and think, “I don’t get it?” It’s likely the ad was directed at a certain customer segment – like, say, millennials. Companies target their advertisements in a variety of ways to reach different types of customers, and age segmentation is one of the most common.
A microbusiness is just what its name implies. Very small. As in nine employees or less. But don’t let size fool you — microbusinesses are essential to the U.S. economy, making up roughly 75 percent of private businesses.
You can find microbusinesses in agriculture, law, and online marketplaces. They have a range of needs, some common to all businesses but some quite unique. For example, time and resources are in tight supply for microbusinesses.
This holiday season it’s a buyer’s market and online retailers are pulling out the stops to woo customers, most notably with free shipping. Free shipping is a perennial holiday perk, yes, but this year some retailers have waived a minimum order to get free delivery.
One small upside to losing 26 percent of mail volume and relaxing delivery service standards over the past decade is that the U.S. Postal Service should experience a significant decline in its costs as well. Except that hasn’t happened for transportation costs.
In fact, Postal Service...
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Regular readers of “Pushing the Envelope” know this OIG is a firm believer in the power of data. We use data analytics to identify the root causes of problems or inefficiencies, and then develop solutions that get to the heart of the issue.
Data analytics include data mining, risk...
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In a recent blog, we noted how we organize our work. Our blogs tend to feature our audit work because it allows us to seek input and feedback that can shape ongoing or future work.
That doesn’t mean it’s quiet in the Office of Investigations. In fact, there’s always a lot going on there....
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The mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to support and protect the Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail.
Postal inspectors are...
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The Postal Service hires non-career employees and temporary employees to supplement its regular workforce to help reduce staffing costs. The non-career employees earn lower wages than full time staff. The turnover rate of non-career employees is higher than the Postal Service wants. Reducing non...
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The Postal Service uses mail transport equipment (MTE) -- containers, sacks, trays, flat tubs, sleeves, and pallets -- during processing or to transport mail between USPS facilities, customers, or contractors. The mail transport equipment service center (MTESC) network comprises 14 independent...
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