Innovation, Design, Creativity, and the United States Postal Service
Innovation, Design, Creativity, and the United States Postal Service
OI 361 Innovation, Design, and Creativity
July 9, 2012
Benefits and Drivers Just as in nature, in business it is survival of the fittest. The key to success and longevity for businesses in the modern world is to be innovative and creative. To be innovative, it is imperative that a company develop a culture that encourages new ideas, welcomes the latest technology, and implements pioneering processes. For the United States Postal Service (USPS), an independent government agency responsible for providing postal services in the United States, the innovative culture and thrive that once was is today losing its edge. The United States Postal Service has to close the gap between its competitors, Fed Ex, and UPS. To close the competitive gap the government agency will need to reexamine how innovation, design, and creativity support the government agency’s current goals and objectives as well as identify internal and external drivers that will either get the proverbial wheel of innovative ideas turning or coming to a screeching halt. The United States Postal Service was formed in 1775. Its first postmaster general was Benjamin Franklin. Despite the USPS’s primitive beginning with the use of steamboats to carry mail, the agency could recognize the need to expand. Therefore, in 1832, railroads were implemented in the mail service process. In 1847, another act of innovation and business perception gave the United States and its postal system the first stamp. Stamps are still purchased today; there are even a few collected as rare and priceless art. Heading into the 20th century, the United States Postal Service continued to innovate and improve their operations. In 1918, the agency seized air mail service from
OI 361 Innovation, Design, and Creativity
July 9, 2012
Benefits and Drivers Just as in nature, in business it is survival of the fittest. The key to success and longevity for businesses in the modern world is to be innovative and creative. To be innovative, it is imperative that a company develop a culture that encourages new ideas, welcomes the latest technology, and implements pioneering processes. For the United States Postal Service (USPS), an independent government agency responsible for providing postal services in the United States, the innovative culture and thrive that once was is today losing its edge. The United States Postal Service has to close the gap between its competitors, Fed Ex, and UPS. To close the competitive gap the government agency will need to reexamine how innovation, design, and creativity support the government agency’s current goals and objectives as well as identify internal and external drivers that will either get the proverbial wheel of innovative ideas turning or coming to a screeching halt. The United States Postal Service was formed in 1775. Its first postmaster general was Benjamin Franklin. Despite the USPS’s primitive beginning with the use of steamboats to carry mail, the agency could recognize the need to expand. Therefore, in 1832, railroads were implemented in the mail service process. In 1847, another act of innovation and business perception gave the United States and its postal system the first stamp. Stamps are still purchased today; there are even a few collected as rare and priceless art. Heading into the 20th century, the United States Postal Service continued to innovate and improve their operations. In 1918, the agency seized air mail service from
References: Demerica, J. (2010, March). How the Internet has affected the US Postal Service. Retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/1760973-how-the-internet-has-affected-the-us-postal-service Encarta (2009). World English Dictionary. New York, NY: Author. Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity B. Stamm Wiley, 2003 Leadership (2012). United States Postal Service. Retrieved from https://www.usps.com/