Suppose that you are in charge of a large mailing to the alumni of your college, inviting them to contribute to a scholarship fund. The letters and envelopes have been individually addressed (mailing labels were no used). The letters are to be folded and stuffed into the correct envelopes, the envelopes are to be sealed, and a large commemorative stamp is to be placed in the upper right-hand corner of each envelope. Make a process chart for this activity, assuming that it is a one-person operation. Estimate how long it will take to stuff, seal, and stamp 2,000 envelopes. Assume that the person doing this work is paid SB per hour. How much will it cost to process 2,000 letters, based on your time estimate? Consider how each of the following changes would affect the process:
• Each letter has the greeting “Dear Alumnus or Alumna,” instead of the person’s name.
• Mailing labels are used and have to be put on the envelopes
• Pre stamped envelopes are used.
• Envelopes are stamped by a postage meter.
• Window envelopes are used.
• A preaddressed envelope is included with each letter for contributions.
a. Given your time estimates, which of these changes would reduce the time and cost of the process?
b. Would any of these changes be likely to reduce the effectiveness of the mailing? If so, which ones? Why?
c. Would the changes that increase time and cost be likely to increase the effectiveness of the mailing? Why or why not?
d. What other factors need to be considered for this project?