At the same time as the US Postal Service (USPS) is saying that its precarious financial situation requires that the cost of a first-class stamp should go up three cents to 49 cents, a move that would raise $2 billion in additional annual revenue, comes a Reuters story saying that the USPS is paying more than a half-million bucks to a futurist to provide "analysis and recommendation on the future of stamps."
The futurist: Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve.
The precise cost: $565,769.
The rationale: "As part of its ongoing innovation efforts, the Postal Service regularly seeks advice and counsel from mailing industry, marketing and innovation experts," says USPS spokeswoman Toni DeLancey. "This is an important activity that helps the organization anticipate changing mailing and shipping behaviors, as well as long-term changes to the evolving communication marketplace it serves."
The futurist: Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve.
The precise cost: $565,769.
The rationale: "As part of its ongoing innovation efforts, the Postal Service regularly seeks advice and counsel from mailing industry, marketing and innovation experts," says USPS spokeswoman Toni DeLancey. "This is an important activity that helps the organization anticipate changing mailing and shipping behaviors, as well as long-term changes to the evolving communication marketplace it serves."
- KC's View:
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I hereby volunteer to provide this sort of insight to the USPS in exchange for 10 rolls of Forever stamps. Doesn't take much research, or even much insight. Just a little common sense, and some experience using email and ordering online.
