ANNA PETELICKA

How long has Poczta Polska considered joining the International Post Corporation (IPC)?
Poczta Polska has been interested in IPC membership for a few years. However, concrete decisions on this issue were made at the meeting that took place last year in March. Since that time we have been negotiating with the IPC. A contract-agreement was signed April 11, 2004, making PP an official IPC member. We are not yet entitled to all the rights associated with membership, but step by step we are approaching full membership in the association. When that happens we will be able to reap the profits of belonging to the IPC.

What benefits and extra responsibilities will Poczta Polska gain in joining the IPC?
The first benefits of the contract signed with IPC should soon be visible. As soon as we identify PP specialists who will handle cooperation with the IPC, we will gain access to a wide range of professional information – research materials, reports and analyses – starting with legal regulations and ending with operational activities and processes. Moreover, we will get a glimpse of the newest technologies and time-tested organizational concepts pioneered by operators worldwide. IPC experts will help us analyze our mistakes and shortcomings, modernize operational activities and suggest ways for preparing our employees for these changes. The most important expected long-term benefit involves the successful completion of restructurization of PP and its transformation into a modern, competitive and client-oriented local and international enterprise.

Has the IPC outlined any conditions that must be met by Poczta Polska within a specified period?
There is no doubt that participation in certain IPC projects will involve the fulfillment of concrete conditions on the part of PP. It is hard to list all of the necessary conditions that we have to meet within the framework of this interview.

What kinds of quality related issues must be improved in the operation of PP?
Our priorities include improvements in service quality. We shouldn’t be afraid of these transformations. This is the purpose of restructurization – to change the organization for the better.

Will a representative of Poczta Polska join the IPC administration and, if so, who?
As I mentioned earlier, PP is currently an IPC member on the basis of a contract-agreement. That means we are able to participate in mandatory projects as well as get involved in facultative projects. Unfortunately, we do not have the right to choose a board or run for board membership, but on the other hand we are also exempt from the costs related to board management. Of course we plan to achieve full membership status and establish a PP representative on the board. This will certainly require a great deal of work on our part, but I am convinced that fighting to be one of the best is a worthy aim.
PP membership in the IPC will be beneficial if nothing else in light of rapid improvements in quality and processes associated with foreign post exchanges. That in turn will guarantee better customer service, higher sales figures and potentially lower costs. One other benefit involves permanent access to information and analyses by our competition on the international market. This is an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage as well as develop and sell new products. Information and analyses of global post regulations can also contribute to a new approach in Poland’s national regulations. Permanent and rapid contact with other directors and presidents of postal organizations will certainly provide a database for new ideas and concepts.