I had heard a lot about the Pitney Bowes Postal Education Center in Peachtree City, GA, and I wanted to check it out for myself. After nearly 30 years in the mailing industry, I didn't think they could tell me much I hadn't already heard but it was late winter in Wisconsin, we had purchased a couple of Pitney products and we had a free training session coming. I figured as long as we only had to come up with the transportation costs there were some good airfares available I might as well go ahead and check it out.
Flexible, Yet Thorough
I contacted our Pitney Bowes sales representative and asked what was available. She had several options. I picked the one that seemed to best fit my schedule, and she said she would take care of it. Several days later I received a confirmation letter from the training facility with seminar details and directions to the Aberdeen Woods facility in Peachtree City. So far it seemed simple enough.
Having attended far too many seminars and conferences that just didn't quite live up to billing, I was prepared for just about anything. I needn't have worried.
Refreshing Facilities & Services
Upon arrival at
The facility is located in an absolutely beautifully wooded area with a large centrally located lake. It features a large, modern training center, two modern lodge/hotel buildings and a fantastic dining/lounge building complete with swimming pool and the works. An amphitheater, as well as basketball, volleyball and tennis courts are available. Bike and hiking trails abound, and with mountain bikes available at the lodge's front desk, a hike or bike ride through some of the 90-plus miles of Peachtree City's picturesque trails is a must.
The service was impeccable, from the bus driver, check-in and hotel staff through the dining area hosts, chefs, waiters and bartenders. Everyone was courteous, knowledgeable and helpful. The buildings are modern, roomy, clean and comfortable. The lodge had all the amenities of any four-star hotel, with plenty of lounge and game areas. A workout room, pool tables, ping-pong, most anything you could want for entertainment is available. I haven't stayed in a better hotel. The rooms are large and comfortable with great views of the woods or lake.
Scrumptious Dining
I arrived late in the evening before the seminar, got settled in my room and headed over to the dining building. I knew I was a bit late for dinner but was hoping to grab a last bite to eat. A "last bite to eat" was a bit of an understatement. These people know how to put on a feed. It was seafood night and you could pretty much take your pick of any number of tasty options in that area. But a wide variety of other food options, from salads to delicious combination dishes, were also available. I happened by the chef's area and was offered a filet mignon that was far too appetizing to turn down.
So far I had a steak (with all the trimmings), some jumbo peel- and-eat shrimp, a bit of snow crab and a number of other goodies and I wasn't even sitting down yet! On my way to a table, I went through a desert area that made it clear I had picked the wrong time to try to start another diet. As it turned out breakfast and lunch were just as plentiful (and tasty). They definitely didn't want you hungry when in class.
From my late dinner, I wondered over to the lounge and enjoyed a night cap in front of a giant fireplace overlooking the lake aaah, life is tough.
Industry-Recognized Staff
By now I was almost forgetting just why I came in the first place. The two-day session is designed to give supervisors and managers ideas on postage savings and on management methods to most efficiently run their mailing operations. Don Archer, CMSDM, CMM, national sales director of Pitney's Postal Education Center, has over 20 years service with Pitney Bowes and is a nationally recognized expert in postal management and operations. His many industry awards are testimony to his expertise in presenting postal knowledge. Margaret Fiorenzo, director of Pitney Bowes Postal Education Center, adds 15 years Pitney Bowes experience and is a frequent presenter at Postal Forum and PCC sessions. Together, they have authored The Complete Reference to Postal Knowledge, a comprehensive collection of hows, whys and ways to assist mail center managers with day-to-day operations.
The two possess a wealth of information to be disseminated in just a two-day seminar. It's all business and it's all valuable. I'm always amazed at the complexities of managing a modern mailing operation and this seminar was a solid reminder of that fact. So much has changed in this industry over the past five years that it is virtually a new industry.
Essential Information
From managing a mail center to designing mail for automation, taking advantage of presort options, using barcodes, using planet codes (wow - the uses of these things are limitless), priority mail, express mail, overnight options, two and three day options, parcel delivery savings ideas, international mail options, periodicals, Standard A, Standard B, reply mail, on and on it goes. I couldn't even begin to cover a portion of what we discussed in the seminar.
To say there is plenty for anyone to learn is an understatement. The class size of 30 participants worked well. The exchanges between participants was enlightening and refreshing. We were given the value of other viewpoints, a different method, a whole new approach. The frequent refreshment breaks, in a well stocked (ice cream, snacks, soda, coffee, fruit, etc.) refreshment area, kept everyone fresh and on their toes.
As we pushed steadily on to cover the myriad of information available, I realized there were plenty of new ideas for everyone, from supervisors new to the industry to veterans with 30-plus years experience. Although I had feared Pitney might use the opportunity to do a little sales pitching on the side, such was not the case. The discussions were open and unbiased.
Pitney Bowes also offers an Advanced Mail Management Seminar at the site. The advanced seminar gets into more complex management issues. Disaster recovery, security, merging print and mail operations, list and time management, electronic commerce, hiring and a host of other issues are covered. There is no doubt some of our training budget for the next couple of years will be used to attend this seminar.
To say that I was favorably impressed by the whole operation would be an understatement. This facility was run right! Everything was very professional and nothing was left to chance. The comfort and concern of the attendees was the first priority. I don't think I'm easily impressed and impressed I was. I would highly recommend the seminar and plan to attend the advanced version as soon as possible. I've already sent another of our Mail Center supervisors to Peachtree City and the rest will attend shortly. I don't know if it was Pitney Bowes know-how or just southern hospitality, but whatever it was, it worked!
For additional information on training sessions, contact Don Archer at archerdo@pb.com.
