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Postcomm forward work plan 2008-11

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

The forward work plan sets out our overall strategy for 2008-11, along with detail on the specific projects we intend to undertake. It describes Postcomm’s mandate and goals, and its priorities for the year. There are a number of top priority workstreams, which must be completed, as well as potential projects/workstreams that are contingent on factors beyond our control, for example, access determinations, or appeals against any Postcomm decisions. If we are required to divert resources to such projects, then others – which are desirable but not an absolute priority – may be re-evaluated.

Postcomm’s Forward Work Plan for 2008-11 sets out our overall strategy for 2008-11, along with the detail on the specific projects we intend to undertake.

Our projects and workstreams fall into four corporate goals:
– ensuring a universal service
– protecting customer interests (for more detail, see our web pages on Royal Mail standards and prices and postal licences and operators)
– replacing regulation through the promotion of sustainable competition
– advising on the Post Office network.

The achievement of these four goals is supported by building effective stakeholder relations and by using and developing resources effectively.

We will also continue to inform our decisions through international benchmarking, wherever possible.

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Q-Post releases ‘perfume’ stamps

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

Q-Post yesterday launched its latest version of stamps, which it labelled as “traditional perfume”.

The stamps, released in a set of four, each of which priced at QR 1.50, ooze fragrance of four traditional perfumes produced in Qatar.

The four perfumes include Al Marash, Oud oil, Agar wood and Al Moghass.

Describing it as a unique set of stamps, chairman of Q-Post Ali Mohamed al-Ali said the idea of perfume stamps was conceived long back by Qatar Foundation vice-chairman Dr Saif al-Hajri. “Our initial plan was to bring out stamps, perfumed in a liquid made of Sidra. However, that did not materialize.”

Each of the four perfumes is dear to Qatari people, said al-Ali.

The stamps would be available from the country’s post offices from today onwards.
Khalid Fikri, head of philatelic bureau of Q-Post, designed the stamps.

Over 80,000 units of the stamps have been released for sale. Along with, 2,000 First Day
Cover of the stamps were also released, each priced at QR7.

The chairman also announced that Q-Post would also release nine stamps on the Qatar Islamic Museum, the work of which is progressing fast.

Al-Ali said that the postal corporation would launch next year a “petroleum” stamp, which would have fragrance of petrol.

One of the nine stamps would be on the complex housing the museum and the other on antiques to be showcased there, said al-Ali.

The museum is expected to be ready by November.

Besides al-Ali, Fikri and public relations manager Abdulla al-Hajri also attended the meeting.

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Turkish Post Representatives to Visit Baku

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

The Turkish Postal Administration delegation will visit Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Communication and IT Ministry reported.

They are expected in Baku on 1 April and will hold meeting in the Communication Ministry and Azerpocht state building.

The aim of the visit is to familiarize themselves with the reforms in the postal sphere of Azerbaijan and to strengthen relations with Azerpocht.

Azerbaijan will familiarize the Turkish representatives with the postal principles of Azerpocht, as well as the work implemented by World Bank through the project ‘Development of Financial Services’.

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Survey results reveal businesses waiting on USPS before implementing Intelligent Mail Barcode System

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

A survey of more than 294 executives and IT managers in the high-volume mailing industry shows that 42 percent of respondents are waiting on the announcements regarding further mailing discounts from the United States Postal Service (USPS) before making major purchasing decisions on how to implement the new Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) system. The survey was conducted jointly by Pitney Bowes Group 1 Software and Mailing Systems Technology on March 18, 2008 as part of a webinar on the business impact of IMB.

Starting in May 2009, mailers will be required to use the Intelligent Mail Barcode to earn the greatest automation discounts on postage, according to the latest USPS proposal. This barcode will replace the current POSTNET and PLANET barcodes. IMB will have a tremendous impact on business operations depending on whether companies strive to meet the minimum Intelligent Mail requirements, or reach for maximum efficiency improvements by making the most of this mandate to add value to the mailstream.

The results of the survey show that companies are already thinking about migrating to the new Intelligent Mail Barcode, but they require more information and discount incentives to help guide the investments in the technology that will enable them to meet the new postal mandate in 2009.

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E-BOX is condemned for damaging La Poste and counterfeit

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

La Poste initiated a legal action against E-Box on 6 June 2006 and requested the cancellation of trade marks arguing the similarity to La Poste brands and claiming it could create confusion to the consumers. La Poste also requested EUR 215,000 for compensation.

In response, E-BOX replied claiming that La Poste has unfair competition and abuse of dominant position for the realization of the self service project 24/7 proposed by EBOX from 2001 to 2004 (in partnership with La Poste). E-BOX also requested EUR 2 million for compensation.

The brands subject to the legal actions were presented to the pertinent French authorities after the promulgation of the postal law in May 2005 which created the ARCEP organization (French postal regulator).

E-BOX considers that the simultaneity of the action forces in justice against E-BOX and the launch of CITYSSIMO (www.cityssimo.fr) in 2006 (automatic delivery of parcels of La Poste) is not a coincidence.

On 11 March 2008, after 2 years of legal procedures, the Court of Justice issued its decision (This sentence is provisional since one of the parts can still appeal):

The tribunal:

– Condemns E-BOX for counterfeiting by imitation of the following brands: ’agence postale rapide ebox’’, agence postale jaune’’, agence postale orange’’,’’agence postale erte’’, ‘’point poste jaune’’, ‘’point poste orange’’, and ‘’point poste vert’’. E-BOX must pay to La Poste EUR 20,500.

– Declares inadmissible the counterclaim of EBOX against La Poste

In revenge the tribunal:

– Don’t approve the nullity of the ’agence postale rapide e-box’’ brand
– Declares the validity of the following E-BOX brands: ‘’post ebox’’, “e-box, l’ autre poste’’, et ‘’e-box, une autre idée de la poste’’.

E-BOX is not going to appeal to this sentence due to the lack of financial resources.

In 2006, E-BOX in a context of opening to the competition of the postal markets, several times nominated to “World Mail Awards” for IT innovation, nourished a legitimate ambition of development of its concept of fast station and self-service service 24/7.

After 2 years of legal process, E-BOX:

– Stopped the exploitation of the first point French automated parcel on October 30, 2007
– Proposes the dismissal of the full time employees
– Presents negative Capital stocks at the end of 2007 in spite of a strong capitalization (EUR 1.680.000).

E-BOX will call to a General Meeting at the end of April 2008 to discuss the possibility to declare the company in bankruptcy.

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TNT drives to top of Britain's best employers list

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

TNT, which employs 1,800 people in the county and has its UK headquarters in Atherstone, features in a line up of the finest employers in the land in a new book that highlights best practice in human resources management.

The book, entitled ‘Britain’s Top Employers 2008’, published last week, follows months of assessments by global independent research experts the Corporate Research Foundation (CRF).

TNT ranks alongside some of the leading brands in Britain’s business world including household names such as Cadbury Schweppes, Innocent, Asda and the John Lewis Partnership.

Not only did TNT feature in the list of more than 70 top UK companies, it also received a special award from CRF for Sustained HR Excellence.

The Corporate Research Foundation’s judging panel rated each company on nine defined categories: Pay and benefits; Career development; Leadership; Company culture and style; Knowledge management; Employee Relations; Recruitment strategies; Diversity; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Following the rigorous assessment from the researchers, marks were awarded in each category and TNT’s performance was particularly strong in the areas of career development, employee relations and CSR.

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Greek Post Bank 2007 profit declines 68 pct

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

Greece’s Post Bank (TT) reported a 68 percent drop in 2007 profit as increased interest income was offset by a trading loss, the state-controlled lender said on Monday.

Net profit for the full year fell to 43.5 million euros (USD 68.56 million) versus 137.2 million euros a year earlier, while net interest income rose to 294.4 million euros from 253.6 million euros, according to a financial statement.

The lender also said it will propose a dividend of 0.25 euros a share on 2007 earnings, compared with 0.6 euros for 2006.

Greece in July sold a 20 percent stake, raising about half a billion euros and cutting its stake in the lender to 45 percent and has said it plans to sell a further stake this year.

On Friday, Greece’s second-largest lender EFG Eurobank said it raised its stake in TT to 5.7 percent as part of its investment plans, but did not say whether it planned to increase its stake.

Greek media have said in the past, without citing sources, that EFG was looking at holding a major stake in TT if the government sold part of its stake.

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First Financial Bank chooses DHL as exclusive air and ground delivery provider

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

DHL announced today that it has been chosen by First Financial Bank, N.A. as its exclusive delivery services provider. First Financial will now leverage DHL’s U.S. express and ground delivery services for transporting loan, mortgage, and other financial materials to and from its banking centers and clients.

With assets of USD 3.4 billion, First Financial is the second-largest bank headquartered in the Greater Cincinnati area, operating 81 banking centers in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. First Financial chose to consolidate all of its express delivery needs with DHL after a competitive review of the quality, service, and value offered by all major U.S. providers. First Financial was also attracted to DHL due to its strong network in the U.S. and in the region, which includes its primary air and ground hub based in Wilmington, Ohio.

DHL recently conducted customized training for First Financial associates on using the DHL web-based shipping products and began shipping immediately.

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