Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses

Chapter 6. Business Mail Procedures

Since letters tainted with the deadly bacteria anthrax were delivered through the U.S. Postal Service in October 2001, safety concerns prompted many businesses to reconsider their procedures for handling incoming mail. As time passes and threats recede into memory, complacency creeps in. The purpose of this chapter is not to revisit old fears, ^[13] but to reinforce a pragmatic approach to processing business mail, an essential part of your preparedness strategy. Let's begin by considering efficient mail handling to reduce the flow of junk mail to your workplace.

REDUCING JUNK MAIL

Reducing the volume of mail to your business site reduces the number of letters and packages that must be screened by your mailroom. But, apart from concerns about mail safety, there are other pragmatic reasons for filtering junk mail to your business site. If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of messages reaching you, you are not alone. Two out of three workers surveyed reported that they felt "overwhelmed" by the quantity of information they must process each day. ^[14] As a member of the small business community, your resources and time are precious. Filtering out unnecessary messages frees your time for other more productive work. I remember receiving a deluge of mail solicitations (and telephone calls) after registering my business with the county clerk's office. The volume was excessive and I resented the unwanted intrusions. It resumed when I obtained telephone ...