POAAL SA/NT Branch Chairman Tim Walsh with some of the Licensees at the POAAL meeting in Adelaide[/caption]POAAL's Bob Chizzoniti was the special guest speaker at the POAAL meeting in Adelaide on 14 February, where Licensees talked about the issues most important to their businesses.POAAL SA/NT Branch Chairman Tim Walsh opened the meeting, giving an overview of his experience running two LPOs, and noting some of the changes in post office operations he has observed over the years.The local SA rep from Brands Australia spoke on passport photos and gave a demonstration of the Brands Australia ID system.Bob Chizzoniti and Tim Walsh led a wide-ranging discussion with Licensees, covering:
Carded articles and underpayments - Bob reminded Licensees of the need to follow the scanning instructions and to regularly check the scanning fees paid by Australia Post. A number of Licensees present reported that scans were not being completed correctly by delivery personnel and their local Delivery Centre.
Insurance - as small business owners, Licensees need to mitigate risks in their business and be adequately insured.
Security - Bob urged Licensees to be alert to the risks posed by drug users under the influence of ice/methamphetamines and noted that POAAL has brought to the attention of Australia Post as it is a duty of care matter.
Staff wages - Licensees were reminded of the recent 7/11 convenience stores headline story of failure to pay staff the correct wage rates. With POAAL membership comes access to free over-the-phone advice regarding staff issues and Licensees were urged to take advantage of this service.
LiPOMS replacement programme - Bob explained the advantages of the new system, to be called POMS, and the ability to examine transactions at a micro level. A number of Licensees were concerned about their end of month stock account and how this would affect the payment of such accounts.
Minimum Order Quantities – This is an initiative suggested by POAAL to AP and the trial period was successful and popular. It has now been extended to all States.
Future trends for post office business - Discussed the decline of some over-the-counter business, trends in stamp sales at LPOs since the price rise, ownership of Australia Post, operating LPOs in conjunction with another business, network planning, and many other matters.
Licensees raised a range of other issues, including:
Last notices for carded items not being sent priority
Licensees would like to be able to get a scan report daily from their hand held scanner
Notification times by SMS or email to customers is too quick - no time to sort or store items before customer arrives to collect the carded item
On transfer of an outlet, AP is not cancelling any standing orders the outgoing Licensee had
Rejection of passport photos by the corporate office near them
Supply of gift cards
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
POAAL Post Office Agents Association Limited PO Box 190 Carlton South VIC 3053 Tel: 03 9654 4533 ACN: 006 382 314
