Postal Services' August 1 address validation requirement changes

WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page: "The Postal Service relies on certified address-matching software to help ensure the accuracy of addresses on mail pieces that qualify for postage discounts, through the assignment of a proper nine-digit ZIP code. Beginning on August 1, 2007, the process by which a nine-digit ZIP code is added to an address will carry an additional requirement that the address include verified primary number (or delivery point) information, such as street, PO Box numbers, and Rural Route Box numbers. Addresses that do not have confirmable delivery point information will no longer be eligible for postal discounts.

'Put simply, mailers who are not prepared to meet the new delivery point requirements as of August 1, 2007, are likely to see a two-to-five percent decrease in the number of mail pieces eligible for postal discounts,' said Christopher Baker, president of Group 1 Software. 'We strongly encourage all mailers to take advantage of the consultation opportunity at NPF to educate themselves on the implications of these changes and to learn about the technologies that are available to lessen the impact of these changes on their bottom-line.'

More information on the Postal Services' August 1 address validation requirement changes, including tips for maximizing postal discounts in this new environment, are available online at www.g1.com by typing 'Address Quality Hub' into the search box."

How to Write Engagement Letters

How to Write Engagement Letters: "Managing Client Expectations

There are many ways that you and your clients can communicate the details of your consulting engagement, ranging from formal Request for Proposal (RFP) from the client with your written response, to an informal phone call or short meeting where your client decides to engage you.

The Importance of Written Communication

Regardless of how you and your client communicate, the key to a successful engagement is to set the client’s expectations, and then, at a minimum, meet those expectations, and hopefully, exceed them. The most important factor in managing the client’s expectations is to put your agreement in writing. Putting it in writing also has the side-effect of eliminating post-delivery disputes over what was expected, making your billing method highly visible to your client, and finally, reinforcing your professionalism.

The Engagement Letter – a Basic Communication

The engagement letter is the simplest form of written communication designed to clarify client expectations."

ENGAGEMENT LETTER

ENGAGEMENT LETTER: "The purpose of the engagement letters is, in part, to get certain things in writing to protect both parties legally. However, an equally important reason is to be genuinely certain that the prospective client (and then client) and I truly have matching expectations. I like my clients. I do not want them angry with me. The engagement letter is one way to avoid misunderstandings. Toward that end, I try to make the engagement letters readable (not lawyer-speak). I try to keep them as short as I can and still cover what needs to be covered. Typically, one of my engagement letters fills both sides of a single 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper."