The Post Office network – more than meets the eye?
Written by: Previous staff on 4 September, 2009Yesterday, the FSB launched a new report urging the Government to transform post offices into small business hubs. A number of interesting ideas were put forward, including establishing a business desk at each Post Office with specially trained staff or offering meeting room facilities to start-ups and micro businesses.
I welcome the report and its call for action. A number of the points resonate with proposals Intellect put forward in its response to the Business and Enterprise Committee’s inquiry into the future of the PO network. For example, Intellect’s response suggested:
• Allow Post Offices to provide a collection and drop-off point for parcels and packages for other carriers alongside Royal Mail Group.
• Introduction of ‘internet booths’ in some Post Offices (these could be paid for through on-screen advertising or sponsorship). By providing increased opportunities for access to the internet this would not only draw people into the Post Office but, crucially, help reduce the ‘digital divide’.
• Additional services that could benefit both individuals and SMEs include ‘hot desking’, Skype facilities and video conferencing. Depending on the size of the Post Office, small meeting rooms could also be made available for hire.
• It could provide a wider range of financial services, such as cashing cheques for internet banks.
From an ICT point of view, some of the suggested new services would lead to increased investment in technology within Post Offices, which could help to create a network fit for the 21st century. Not only would this increase the number of benefits, but would also see the upskilling of staff, providing them with a new skill base and strengthening the Post Office’s ‘human’ infrastructure.
Obviously, some of the proposals may not be possible in all Post Offices for logistical reasons but these types of ideas need to be considered to help take the network forward with a view to improving its financial viability.
Tags: Post offices
4 September, 2009 at 1:02 pm
our village post office is already equipped with a digital noticeboard which holds archives of historic and current photos. It has an email postcard facility and a tickertape of local events. It is a focus point for the community. Our problem is getting the backhaul into to village to support it. Rural communities are severely disadvantaged with the current obsolete infrastructure, and are limited to the facilities they can access and provide. Making te post office a hub with a good internet connection would be a great step forward to ensuring they stay competitive in the new global village.
4 September, 2009 at 1:14 pm
That’s interesting to know about the digital noticeboard. I’d been keen to hear from others about examples like this.
You raise a valuable and powerful point about the lack of an effective infrastructure. This is a hurdle that needs to be overcome, especially if the POs are to be transformed in the way I’ve alluded to above.
Considering the geographical spread of the POs and the trust that citizens have in the network they are well-placed to deliver so much more and, as you say, ensure that they stay competitive in an increasingly challenging environment.