While I share the frustrations of many Oak Parkers with the Post Office, having received my Jan. 26 Wednesday Journal on Tuesday, Feb. 1, we ought to cut service businesses some slack in these days of pandemic staffing shortages. The USPS employs many best-in-class operating practices. In fact, I can imagine the following memo from another world-class organization sent to their drivers:
Dear Valued Amazon Prime Delivery Associate,
As part of our continuous review and optimization of our operations, we are immediately implementing certain best practices utilized by the United States Postal Service:
1. We will achieve a documented 100% on-time delivery record. Should a delivery not be completed on time, do not document it.
2. If you failed to complete your route yesterday, don’t start today where you left off yesterday. Start at the beginning of the route. People at the end of the route who dislike sporadic delivery are free to relocate.
3. Upon arrival at a block, spend at least 5 minutes scrounging around your vehicle to find the items to be delivered on that block.
4. Should the sender fail to designate “North” or “South” Whatever Avenue, flip a coin. There’s no reason in principle that a single-family home can’t have an Apartment 421.
5. We are a Customer Centered Organization. Own the Problem. If a Customer raises a concern, pass them off to somebody else who will then Own the Problem. Failing that, encourage the Customer to shove it.
Sincerely …
Bob Stigger
Oak Park