OK, I’ll be the first to acknowledge that I’ve been known to stick a finger or two in the postal service’s eyes every now and then. Some of my commentaries have been…well, a bit contentious. But hey, that’s why I’m known as an industry advocate rather than just a postal lapdog.
Seriously, though, there’s something that really needs to be said that many of us on the industry side of the fence fail to say. And that is, thanks.
Thanks to the many postal people we’ve worked with over the years who have helped us get our points across to the powers that be, who have helped us negotiate the challenges of postal classification and other knotty issues, who have worked especially hard to show that “service” is more than just the USPS’ last name.
Yes, some of these very same people have felt the sting of the words from my keyboard. I hope I can say in all justice that when they stung, it was appropriate. The trouble is, often after we get done telling people what’s wrong, we forget to convey our thanks for the many, many things that get done right.
It’s easy to make the U.S. Postal Service the butt of our jokes, but let’s never forget that without it, many of our businesses simply wouldn’t be.
Now, I’m sure you’re beginning to think that Gene must be getting ready to meet his maker. After all, why else would he take this time to help set the record straight?
Well, I can assure you that I’m in perfectly good health and have no intention of exiting this earth or retiring prematurely. (I can hear the groans coming from postal corridors even as I write this.)
So, to help convince you of my well-being, I’ll let this stand as my effort to make peace, and I’ll get back to postal eye-poking as and whenever it might be warranted.
Hey, no kidding, postal folks. Thanks for the enormous support you’ve given those of us in the private sector. Without your hard work and concern, it would have been impossible for direct marketing to become one of most vital and vibrant industries in America.
GENE A. DEL POLITO is president of the Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom) in Arlington, VA.
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