Many years ago I ran a project entitled the 'Post Office of The Future' which focused on making the PO into the hub of the local business community... Actually it is plain common sense. But , I am afraid that I was way ahead of my time. I am delighted to see that the same idea has now resurfaced. Hopefully the timing is right!
The article in brief:
"The future of hundreds of post offices around the country could be safeguarded by transforming them into small business hubs...
"The future of hundreds of post offices around the country could be safeguarded by transforming them into small business hubs...
To protect the vital service that post offices offer many firms, the FSB said it believes the network needs to be remodelled as a series of small business hubs...
Under the FSB’s recommendations, a business desk would be set up at each post office with specially trained staff able to advise businesses on banking, government services, insurance and sending and receiving parcels...
Each branch would also offer dedicated advertising facilities to help small businesses reach other local businesses and potential customers...
There would be a range of financial services available, including business banking and, where possible, meeting room facilities for start-ups and micro businesses..."
8 comments:
Moving on, great idea BUT
can you imagine another government/state-run organisation being any better than Business Link at delivering what small businesses really want?
I hate to drown the idea at birth.
Nick
In principle the PO/Royal Mail franchise should be able to do wonderful things by using the PO as a hub. (Some colleges have BL hubs aimed at reaching start-ups.) It is a natural fit.
For the BLs one of the keys must be 'market reach' and penetration and the PO has the best footprint in terms of touching small businesses. That's in principle. The reality may be somewhat more mediocre.
Most buisnesses trying to access the 'small business market' would give their right arms to have their brand in as many places as the PO has outlets. For access to the small end of the small business market the PO should be one of the places to be. What's stopping this from happening?
Jeremy
PS Too many mentions of the word 'should', I know.
Bland, boring, dull. Why would POs (leftovers form the fifties) be any better than BLs?
Madge
Sounds somewhat Utopian, at best. The Post Office has hardly been the most credible of entities for many Years now.
How could we take something that has struggled to reinvent itself and wasted so much money so seriously as to entrust our business affairs to it?
There is also a very dangerous proposition in placing so many services with one service provider. Even if the Post Office were anything near capable, any business that gives over control of so many functions to one entity, (especially a State run one, as Nick correctly propounds) is asking for a great deal of trouble.
Anyone who recommends that a business looks to engage such a monstrous entity, doesn't know much at all about the practicalities of business.
SW
I do like the idea of the PO taking on this 'community' function. Maybe this would appeal to small local businesses. Nothing too ambitious.
Many local POs are in effect small businesses and may be able to interact with other small businesses.
I am not aware that the PO currently does any of the standard business networking things (BNI,BRE etc) and this probably gives the game away: POs are not really interested in working with the small business community.
Madge
I agree with Madge: "Many local POs are in effect small businesses and may be able to interact with other small businesses."
And a lot of those small PO businesses are located in small communities, small business communities (like our own village). Essential that both continue to exists (village PO and village businesses).
New idea could work, as long the property from which the local PO is operating is suitable for it/or can be 'made to fit' better.
Many of the businesses in our village find the PO essential and we've combined forces in a local business association - with the PO master as very active member!
Rural business communities need active PO masters ;-)
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business
Sounds somewhat Utopian, at best. The Post Office has hardly been the most credible of entities for many Years now.
How could we take something that has struggled to reinvent itself and wasted so much money so seriously as to entrust our business affairs to it?
There is also a very dangerous proposition in placing so many services with one service provider. Even if the Post Office were anything near capable, any business that gives over control of so many functions to one entity, (especially a State run one, as Nick correctly propounds) is asking for a great deal of trouble.
Anyone who recommends that a business looks to engage such a monstrous entity, doesn't know much at all about the practicalities of business.
SW
In principle the PO/Royal Mail franchise should be able to do wonderful things by using the PO as a hub. (Some colleges have BL hubs aimed at reaching start-ups.) It is a natural fit.
For the BLs one of the keys must be 'market reach' and penetration and the PO has the best footprint in terms of touching small businesses. That's in principle. The reality may be somewhat more mediocre.
Most buisnesses trying to access the 'small business market' would give their right arms to have their brand in as many places as the PO has outlets. For access to the small end of the small business market the PO should be one of the places to be. What's stopping this from happening?
Jeremy
PS Too many mentions of the word 'should', I know.
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