Juan Ayala is always on the lookout for ways to help business customers along his route.
During the past two years, the Irvine, CA, letter carrier has submitted 28 sales leads through Customer Connect, a partnership between USPS and the National Association of Letter Carriers that encourages carriers to identify sales opportunities.
Ayala’s leads have resulted in more than $1.3 million in new revenue for the Postal Service.
Most recently, he noticed trucks from competing shipping companies at the loading dock of one of his customers — a company that makes espresso machines.
After speaking with the company’s shipping manager, Ayala submitted a lead through Customer Connect.
Martin Espinoza, a business development specialist in Santa Ana District, followed up with the customer. Irma Leonard, a field sales representative, then closed a shipping deal with the company, valued at more than $555,000.
Revenue generated from Customer Connect leads is counted toward the Postal Service’s Race for a $Billion campaign goal.
The initiative — which aims to raise $1 billion through employee-provided sales leads before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30 — passed its goal on Aug. 12 and stands at $1.2 billion, according to a Sept. 17 ranking of all district contributions.
“Juan is Irvine’s very own ‘Million Dollar Carrier,’” said Mary Anderson, small-business engagement director at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. “He is proof that leads are out there, and a few questions can result in a happy customer and new revenue for the Postal Service.”
The Sales Blue page has more information about Customer Connect and the Postal Service’s other lead-sharing programs, which include Business Connect, Clerks Care, Mail Handlers, Rural Reach and Submit a Lead.
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