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61. The improvements in the workplace, along with aggressive implementation of automation and other management
investments, have led to a remarkable growth in postal productivity that has outpaced the growth of productivity in the
U.S. economy. The result is that the Postal Service is delivering more mail to more places, with fewer employees. Postal
delivery service also has improved significantly. First-class mail performance has improved to over 95 percent of
overnight mail being delivered on time, with improvements in other categories of first-class mail as well.
62. Each element works to support the strategic objectives in a linked process. Learning and Growth (“Voice of the
Employee” in postal terms) supports improved Internal Processes (“Voice of the Business”), which supports Customer
Satisfaction (“Voice of the Customer”). Customer satisfaction leads to the desired financial outcome, which in the case of
the Postal Service is sufficient revenue to support the universal delivery service mission.
63. The Postal Service has improved its performance on those measures assessing a safe and secure environment. USPS
has been recognized as one of the best places for minorities to work. The Postal Service’s implementation of the
REDRESS (Resolve Employment Disputes Reach Equitable Solutions Swiftly) program has received national
recognition. The USPS Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA Illness and Injury rate improved to 6.3 in
2004 from 8.7 in 2000. The results of the annual employee satisfaction survey, expressed as an index for six key questions
(where a larger index indicates improvement), have advanced from 57.5 in 2000 to 62.1 in 2004.
64. The Knowledge Management (KM) approach used by ConocoPhillips centers on 140 networks of excellence (i.e.,
virtual communities of practice) aligned with business functions. Each network has a Web-based portal that includes the
following:
1. A discussion board where members can post technical questions and answers
2. A knowledge library that houses content and reference materials
3. Expertise location tools for members seeking people with specific knowledge
65. Knowledge sharing at ConocoPhillips is based on the FAST (Find, Ask, Share, Trust) model:
1. FIND—the ability to locate trusted, validated content
2. ASK—peer Q&A and problem solving through discussion forums
3. SHARE—expertise location