News & Views

Here’s the BrightKey scoop—from the view from the top in our quarterly President’s Message to the outside perspective from our clients. We report on client successes not just to strut our stuff but also to prompt ideas for programs that will increase your success. With a large client base and more than three decades of experience, we have lots to share about effective practices.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superpower!

Collaboration with AI...

If you’re at all like me, you think a lot about your organization’s priorities. A recent consultant report¹ captured top CEO priorities for 2024; eight responses rose to the top. The wide-ranging list includes everything from technology to global geopolitical order. The one that resonated with me the most? Focus on your Superpower.

BrightKey’s superpower can be summed up by our tagline: We’ll handle it for you. That’s been our key strength and guidepost for nearly 36 years. Our success—thanks to our wonderful team, clients, and partners—comes from the determination and ability to provide end-to-end outsourced solutions that empower our clients to focus on their priorities.

So what does our superpower mean for you? Here’s news you can use . . .

New EPA SmartWay partnership brings increased efficiency, cost savings, and reduces your carbon footprint: We’ll be working with the major freight carriers to increase supply chain efficiency and reduce fuel costs, with annual performance data that shows what we accomplish. And, we’ll be inviting those clients who qualify to join the program (and help them purchase carbon credits in the meantime.)
New fulfillment strategies deliver dramatic cost savings: BrightKey’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles recently resulted in a shipping consolidation from 10,000 to 2,500 shipments — a 75% reduction! Lower cost for the client, less environmental impact—a great example of doing well by doing good.
New accounting services let you focus on your core mission: This financial service puts our expertise to work for you. We’ve been meeting growing requests for providing accounting assistance … offering the scalability necessary to match busy and slower periods. You have dedicated support only when you need it!
New partnerships mean better solutions: Our recent participation in the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) annual conference solidified partnerships with major corporations. Our presence not only demonstrates our commitment to support women-owned businesses but also expands our capabilities and reach.
New support in the Big Apple: We’ve just added a new financial services client for mail screening in New York. Remember, BrightKey goes where you need us to be.

So what’s YOUR superpower?

Helping you do what you do best—that’s our superpower. We not only want to keep our eye on the ball to help you succeed now … but also want to align our capabilities to meet your growing needs. So let’s talk! (And if you have an environmental impact initiative and need to keep a sharp focus on your bottom line — let’s see what we can do to deliver a fulfillment strategy that lowers your environmental footprint and saves you money at the same time.)

Want to stay in the know? Join our newsletter!

All the best,

Rita Hope Counts
President and CEO

P.S. Have you heard? The USPS just proposed a rate hike for July 14, 2024, an increase of approximately 7.8%. Let us help you with a plan to mitigate these increased postal costs.

1 What matters most? Eight CEO priorities for 2024, McKinsey & Company, December 23, 2023.

What's Trending (At a Glance)

Our broad client base provides a great view of what’s going on in many different areas. Each month, we send out a news brief with a quick read on hot topics, emerging trends, and action steps. Here’s just a taste of What’s Trending…

What's Trending for January 2024?

2024 Global Meetings/Events Outlook
The 2024 outlook for global meetings and events foresees a significant rise in attendance, with internal meetings expected to experience the largest growth in attendees. This resurgence aligns with a 70% prediction of attendance returning to pre-2019 levels. The year is marked by a strong emphasis on AI and sustainable practices, aiming to streamline and environmentally optimize meetings. The year promises a blend of heightened engagement and innovative solutions as the industry leans towards more efficient, strategic meetings. Ensure your team is prepared to capitalize on this opportunity and avoid getting bogged down by administrative minutiae.

Shipping Alert: USPS New Rates for 2024
Starting January 21, 2024, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is set to implement price adjustments across a range of services. Notably, the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 66 cents to 68 cents. Additionally, USPS Shipping Services will experience a broad rate increase, with USPS Ground Advantage prices rising by 5.4%, Priority Mail services by 5.7%, and Priority Mail Express services by 5.9%.

What's Trending for December 2023?

Navigating the Personalization Wave
According to Accenture's 2024 Life Trends Report, the 'Great Interface Shift' marks a significant move towards personalized digital experiences driven by generative AI. This trend is predicted to be pivotal in 2024, signaling a shift from transactional to intuitive, user-centric online interactions. Understanding and integrating this technology will be vital for organizations to create deeply resonant digital experiences. For those planning digital strategies, this means anticipating user needs with a blend of AI-driven insights and empathetic design. Embracing this shift now is essential to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Shipping Alert: UPS Rate Hike in December 2023
Starting December 26, 2023, UPS will implement a 5.9% General Rate Increase (GRI), a departure from the usual 3.9%-4.9% increases of the past decade. This change comes in response to rising labor costs following extensive labor negotiations. Shippers should note that this increase will also affect minimum charges and surcharges, potentially impacting overall shipping expenses.

What's Trending for November 2023?

Embracing the CARE Philosophy for Membership Retention
As we pivot our strategies to embrace the upcoming year, let’s embed the CARE philosophy into our membership retention efforts. By Communicating early, Anticipating needs, Reinforcing value, and Engaging personally, we set a standard of excellence and show genuine dedication to our members. It’s this forward-thinking, CARE-driven mindset that transforms the challenge of membership churn into an opportunity for growth and community strengthening. Remember, foresight is the foundation of member loyalty—CARE to plan ahead and watch your membership thrive. And if you're looking for a partner to help execute your CARE plan with precision and passion, turn to BrightKey—where nurturing membership is not just a service, it's our promise.

Mail Alert: Prepare for the Next USPS Stamp Price Hike in January 2024
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled a proposal for another stamp price increase—the fourth in just two years. Starting January 21, 2024, the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp may jump to 68 cents, a 2-cent uptick aimed at offsetting inflationary pressures and remedying past pricing models. Here’s a quick breakdown of the expected changes:
• Metered 1-ounce letters could cost 64 cents, a 1-cent rise.
• Domestic postcards are projected to reach 53 cents, up 2 cents.
• International mail rates are slated to climb by 5 cents to $1.55.
Despite these adjustments, USPS has decided not to add extra holiday surcharges this year, a relief for seasonal shippers. Need assistance navigating these updates? Contact BrightKey for expert advice on optimizing your mailing strategy in this shifting postal landscape.

What's Trending for October 2023?

Peak Season 2023: Understanding UPS and FedEx Surcharges
For businesses gearing up for the peak shipping season, it's crucial to be aware of the surcharge adjustments introduced by major carriers:
UPS: Demand surcharges will be in effect from October 29, 2023, to January 13, 2024. Additionally, surcharges for packages requiring special handling or those oversized will be applicable from October 1, 2023, to January 13, 2024.
FedEx: Peak season surcharges vary based on the shipment date. The surcharges will be $1.60 per package from October 30 to November 26, 2023, and December 11, 2023, to January 14, 2024. However, from November 27 to December 10, 2023, the surcharge will increase to $2.60 per package. Additionally, businesses shipping over 20,000 residential packages in a week will be subject to a residential delivery surcharge from October 30, 2023, to January 14, 2024.

Valuing Top-Tier Members with Holiday Appreciation Kits
The holiday season is an ideal time to recognize the invaluable support of your top-tier and highest revenue-generating members. Personalized appreciation kits not only express gratitude but also reinforce their significance to the association. This tailored approach is a strategic investment in deepening member loyalty. If you're contemplating such a gesture, BrightKey is poised to assist with both innovative ideas and seamless fulfillment.

What's Trending for September 2023?

Stay Informed, Stay Ahead: BrightKey's AI Expertise at Your Fingertips
Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the modern workforce isn't just a trend—it's a transformative shift reshaping industries and redefining operational efficiencies. However, the rapid evolution of AI can be daunting for many organizations. The recent release of ChatGPT Enterprise underscores the potential of AI-driven solutions to streamline processes and enhance customer interactions. At BrightKey, we're at the forefront of this AI revolution. If you're curious about the capabilities and implications of AI for your organization, don't hesitate to reach out. From a brief crash course to an in-depth lecture, we're here to demystify AI.

Don't Let IT Delays Define Your Year-End
The absence of adequate internal IT services in many organizations isn't just an operational hiccup; it's a significant impediment that can have cascading negative effects on efficiency, innovation, and growth. Such deficiencies often lead to project delays, misaligned priorities, and missed market opportunities. BrightKey recognizes these profound challenges and is poised to offer end-to-end IT solutions tailored to your needs. As the year-end looms, don't let resource constraints hold you back. Partner with BrightKey and ensure your projects conclude successfully and on time.

Testimonials

“In my ten years of managing teams and handling customer services for large territories and being reliant upon partners to get the job done, I can honestly say that I have never received such raving compliments as I have received since working with BrightKey. There is absolutely zero exaggeration when I say that I receive daily positive feedback. Not one time since this has all begun have I received any questionable or negative feedback on the team at BrightKey.”

Manager, Membership Sales
Association Client

“I’m very pleased with the services that BrightKey provides. The smooth and productive transition to BrightKey was impressive. But I can’t say enough about BrightKey’s staff, to the degree of quality service they provide to our 2,000 associates her as well as around the globe.”

Senior Facilities Manager
Commercial Client

“After the first day of our telemarketing campaign, I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to hear how many renewals BrightKey has processed! We got a better response I none day than we were achieving with our previous vendor in an entire month. I am very impressed with the retention call program already and am looking for to GREAT SUCCESS! Thank you for your team’s hard work.”

Membership Manager
Nonprofit Client

“Words cannot express my gratitude for all the hard you do on our behalf. You’ve always gone above and beyond what is expected, and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your superior level of service. I feel as though with your leadership we’ve built a strong partnership. I look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”

Coordinator for Fulfillment
Nonprofit Client

“I wanted to take a moment to tell you how pleased I am with all aspects of our business relationship. You and your staff could not have been more responsive in light of the terrible weather conditions you experienced. Your staff stayed in touch with our staff, and we were able to make sure our customers were aware of delays. We were also able to keep senior management aware of what was happening and what was being accomplished. You should be very proud of the professional, courteous, thoughtful staff you have. Thank you and all of BrightKey’s staff.”

Vice President, Member Support
Association Client

BrightKey Delivers Results

Key-on-Site:
Aligning with the Times

FOCUS: A leading provider of residential servicing in the mortgage industry experienced unprecedented growth over the years but lacked efficiency in the mailroom. As a result, they sought expertise with streamlining incoming mail processes and the logistical complexity of handling the increased workload.

SKILL: BrightKey’s experts in mailroom operations and document scanning workflow, completed an onsite assessment of current operations and presented recommendations to enhance the essential mailroom operations. BrightKey assisted with procuring and installing state of the art mail processing and accountable mail tracking equipment in addition to deploying standard operating processes and procedures, and volume and performance tracking dashboards.

RESULTS: BrightKey continues to work with our customer to identify additional document workflows and expects to maximize the existing capacity to meet the demands of their growth. In addition, the implementation of new technology and the development of standard operating procedures and reporting provided the corporate operation with a well-oiled mailroom which turns around inbound mail the same day it is received.

Process Improvement and Efficiency:
Reducing Cost While Creating Efficiencies

FOCUS: A quasi-government organization encouraged our onsite team to evaluate the printing, mailing, supply processes, and equipment and make recommendations for process and efficiency improvements and anticipated cost savings.

SKILL: BrightKey’s Project Team researched costs for printer and coil machine replacements, designed supply workrooms for standardization, and identified a new approach to shipping and mailing.

RESULTS: By replacing a printer that allowed for in-house services rather than outsourcing, Brightkey helped save money and organize production within. In addition, Brightkey helped standardize the workroom for efficiency and supply management which allowed for ensuring standardization of both supplies and industrial equipment. Our team standardized supplies for tracking and reordering as needed which improved productivity. Brightkey advised using FedEx ground home delivery services vs FedEx express for employees working from home, reducing delivery costs for shipping.

Continuity of Mail Delivery During the COVID 19 Pandemic:
Following COVID Protocols While Remaining Engaged

FOCUS: In the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, BrightKey’s client reassigned most of its employees to remote work. As a result, hundreds of employees no longer had access to their mail which contained time sensitive work product and various documents that must be processed or require dispositions. This presented a significant continuity challenge for our clients and anticipated cost savings.

SKILL: BrightKey worked closely with our client to outline their requirements. This resulted in timelines for completion and definitive performance standards for delivery and security. BrightKey also consulted with the client to develop a customized migration to their preferred file sharing application and implemented the solution within five weeks of initial request.

RESULTS: BrightKey developed a customized mail digitization program that allowed employees to work seamlessly from home or any location with internet access. Employees received their digitized mail by 1:00 pm on the same day received. All mail images were migrated via an encrypted network. Additionally, all hard copies were indexed, filed, and stored in a secure location, making hard copy retrieval fast and efficient.

Ongoing Process Improvements:
Enhanced Reporting for Mail Services

FOCUS: Client is in need of real-time reporting for the mail services BrightKey is currently providing.

SKILL: BrightKey implemented an online, customized Reporting Dashboard. No client resources were required to implement this solution. Our solution provided a customized dashboard and tabular reports along with drill down capability into report data, daily refreshing of reporting data, and export functionality. These capabilities allowed for improvements in real time data reports, accompanied by secure usernames and passwords for staff to access data when needed.

RESULTS: The dashboard provides daily data on both inbound and outbound mail volumes. The dashboard tracks items such as total shipments, mass mailing, and mail screening. With the help of BrightKey, the company was able to digitize some of the current flow of mail, facilitating the clients current flow of mail and mail tracking.

Win back members:
Last Chance Fellow Recovery

FOCUS: A one hundred-year-old, prestigious medical association that sets the standard for patient care and provider education sought to recover lapsed Fellow members. After numerous email and direct mail campaigns, the nonprofit wanted to invest in one last push with an outbound calling campaign to retain these expired members.

SKILL: BrightKey’s Strategic Outreach team collaborated with the medical nonprofit to develop an outbound calling campaign to transition the lapsed members. Campaign design strategy included calling Fellows near benefit expiration to create a sense of urgency, a compelling script that highlighted powerful member benefits, clear rebuttals that combined a discount on renewing membership, and strategic collection of member feedback to tailor strategy throughout the current and future campaigns.

RESULTS: The three-week, two attempt, outreach campaign approach ensured that every member received a form of communication, which included direct conversation, voicemail, and email follow up. The campaign success was measured by payments received over the phone, members who pledged to pay, and payments made after the first call. With a final campaign ROI of $34.73 for every dollar spent, the customized approach to the outreach campaign proved to be a successful win back effort.

We'll handle it for you.

We'll handle it for you.

News & Views

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superpower!

Collaboration with AI...

So what does our superpower mean for you? Here’s news you can use . . .

So what’s YOUR superpower?

What's Trending (At a Glance)

Testimonials

BrightKey Delivers Results

Speak with one of our experts today.

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