Comments on: Necessity makes for strange bedfellows http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:25:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Tom Monahan http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-824 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:27:13 +0000 http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-824 <img align="middle" src="http://www.before-after.com/images/Fed_side_of_the_moon.jpg" />

]]> by: HighJive http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-822 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:55:24 +0000 http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-822 Perhaps it’s even more about the growing ubiquity of FedEx versus any grand thinking on the USPS’ part. After all, FedEx is getting as bad as McDonald’s and Starbucks. In fact, I’ve seen FedEx in McDonald’s. There’s a drop-off box on nearly every corner in metropolitan areas. FedEx is also partnered with Kinko’s. It’s only a matter of time before we see FedEx drop-off boxes in churches. Or in UPS stores. Perhaps it’s even more about the growing ubiquity of FedEx versus any grand thinking on the USPS’ part. After all, FedEx is getting as bad as McDonald’s and Starbucks. In fact, I’ve seen FedEx in McDonald’s. There’s a drop-off box on nearly every corner in metropolitan areas. FedEx is also partnered with Kinko’s. It’s only a matter of time before we see FedEx drop-off boxes in churches. Or in UPS stores.

]]> by: Tom Monahan http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-820 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:46:16 +0000 http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-820 HighJive, I’m not surprised and I suppose I fully expected that the need for this partnership came about from a failed effort in this area, or at least an analysis that saw more economy in farming it out than going solo. I only noticed it a couple of months ago. I saw it at a couple of post offices in the Providence area. For all I know it’s in test. Or would that be giving this institution too much credit for looking before they again make the leap? Sincerely, though, I feel this is a great example of an institution’s ability to adapt, no matter how much it might have been for self preservation. I mean, this is the US Postal Service partnering with the arch enemy, for crying out loud. Not Eddie Bauer and Ford Explorer. This is the freakin’ USPS. I see hope in this. HighJive, I’m not surprised and I suppose I fully expected that the need for this partnership came about from a failed effort in this area, or at least an analysis that saw more economy in farming it out than going solo.

I only noticed it a couple of months ago. I saw it at a couple of post offices in the Providence area. For all I know it’s in test. Or would that be giving this institution too much credit for looking before they again make the leap?

Sincerely, though, I feel this is a great example of an institution’s ability to adapt, no matter how much it might have been for self preservation. I mean, this is the US Postal Service partnering with the arch enemy, for crying out loud. Not Eddie Bauer and Ford Explorer. This is the freakin’ USPS. I see hope in this.

]]> by: HighJive http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-819 Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:55:50 +0000 http://before-after.com/blog3/2007/01/25/necessity-makes-strange-bedfellows/#comment-819 Well, yes and no. The USPS/FedEx partnership only happened AFTER the USPS failed in their efforts to offer FedEx-like services. To be honest, I was not even aware of the alliance, so I’m guessing the actual audience is very defined and exclusive. In some ways, it demonstrates the awfulness of the USPS; they are, after all, supposed to be experts at delivering stuff. Yet suddenly they have serious competition from FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. These competitors technically carved their niches by exploiting the weaknesses of the USPS. Electronic communication is the next thing that is killing USPS. Seems like “strange partnerships” only happen after one party has been bleeding money. Like our own ad industry, change often occurs when things have devolved to way beyond bad. Well, yes and no.

The USPS/FedEx partnership only happened AFTER the USPS failed in their efforts to offer FedEx-like services. To be honest, I was not even aware of the alliance, so I’m guessing the actual audience is very defined and exclusive. In some ways, it demonstrates the awfulness of the USPS; they are, after all, supposed to be experts at delivering stuff. Yet suddenly they have serious competition from FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. These competitors technically carved their niches by exploiting the weaknesses of the USPS. Electronic communication is the next thing that is killing USPS.

Seems like “strange partnerships” only happen after one party has been bleeding money. Like our own ad industry, change often occurs when things have devolved to way beyond bad.

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