Are you interested in discovering the secret of the success of UPS?
Short for United Parcel Service, UPS is the largest package delivery service in the world. The company has been operating for more than a century and started as a small messenger service.
Today, branches of UPS can be found all over the world. The company boasts clear mission and vision statements as well as a set of comprehensive core values.
To gain an insight into this prominent company, let’s make a comprehensive UPS mission and vision statement analysis.
UPS History
UPS started life as the American Messenger Company in 1907 in the city of Seattle. The company was founded by James Casey and Claude Ryan. Originally deliveries were made on foot, while bicycles were used for longer journeys.
The company originally focused on package delivery for retail stores and special delivery mail for the U.S. Post Office. The company’s first delivery vehicle was a Model T Ford, which was purchased in 1913. The name was changed to United Parcel Service in 1919 when the company expanded to Oakland. In this year, the company’s cars were painted brown to represent professionalism, class, and sophistication.
First national delivery company!
In 1975 UPS became the first package delivery company to offer services to every address in the continental United States. This impressive coverage and reliable service became known as the Golden Link. UPS also started offering services to Canada in the same year.
The popular UPS Next Day Air service was launched in 1985. The air service was available throughout the 48-contiguous states as well as Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The first intercontinental air service between the United States and Europe was also launched in 1985.
Taking it international…
In 1988, the company launched UPS Airlines and introduced a fleet of distinctive Browntail airplanes. UPS expanded its services to Africa, Asia, and Europe in 1989, followed by the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific Rim. Today, UPS operates in over 220 countries around the world. Customers can find thousands of outlets in prominent locations like shopping malls, airports, and train stations.
UPS Mission Statement
“Grow our global business by serving customers’ logistics needs, offering excellence and value in all that we do. Maintain a financially strong company with broad employee ownership that provides a long-term competitive return to our shareowners. Inspire our people and business partners to do their best, offering opportunities for personal development and success. Lead by example as a responsible, caring, and sustainable company making a difference in the communities we serve.”
This is the full mission statement of UPS. This statement has been added to and refined over the years to paint a full picture of the company. The mission statement can be broken down into five main elements that can be explored in more detail.
Excellence
The commitment to excellence is an important part of the company’s mission statement. This can be seen in the first-rate service that the company has become famous for. All employees are expected to reflect this mission and uphold it at all times.
Value
Customers can be sure that they will receive value for money when they choose one of the company’s services. UPS offers a range of different services at different values for customers to choose from. No matter which service they choose, customers can be sure their parcel will be delivered in perfect condition.
Philosophy of Operations
The company has adopted the now popular People Led business module. This business module allows for employee ownership and a share of the profits. This allows employees to directly benefit from the success of UPS and be considered as part of a family. This philosophy of operations has led to enhanced employee satisfaction and consequently commitment, development, and growth.
Organizational Culture
The company’s organizational culture includes the ability to inspire employees and business partners to do their best at all times. This is key to the survival of the business and has allowed UPS to thrive over the years. Today, UPS boasts nearly 500,000 loyal employees around the world who are all committed to excellence.
Social Responsibility
UPS embraces the responsibility to positively contribute to society. The company has created a number of projects that enhance the communities and societies that they serve. This commitment to social responsibility helps customers feel good about using UPS’ products and services.
UPS Vision Statement
“Helping customers pioneer more sustainable solutions, delivering packages more efficiently, creating more connections around the world and finding more ways to take action and give back.”
This is the full vision statement of UPS. Over the years, the vision has been refined to the phrases ‘Customer First, People Led, and Innovation Driven’. Let’s explore each of these statements in more detail.
Customer First
UPS recognizes that customers play an essential role in company success and growth. The company puts the needs and satisfaction of customers at the very front of its vision. Putting customers first when creating new services has helped the company to become the industry leader.
People Led
While customers are the most important factor, UPS also places a lot of value on its employees. Workers of all levels are provided with shares in the company and are inspired to help make a difference. This helps to drive employee commitment and loyalty, which helps the company to thrive.
Innovation is Driven
Even though it is the industry leader, UPS is always striving to improve its services. UPS has developed a sustainable strategy based on innovation. The company invests heavily in research and development, helping them to anticipate and provide for changing needs.
Core Values
The company has developed a set of core values that influence and drive how it operates. All UPS employees are expected to embrace these values at all times. Exploring the core values provides an interesting insight into how the company operates.
Integrity
It is no secret that UPS is trusted by people all around the world. The company’s commitment to providing transparent services and cost platforms helps to maintain its reputation for integrity. This forms a key part of the training of new employees so that they treat all customers with respect.
Teamwork
All employees are actively encouraged to work closely as part of a team. UPS invests in special team-building exercises that teach employees how to relate to each other. This minimalizes conflict in the workplace and fosters a collaborative working environment.
Service
Customers can be sure that they will receive a first-rate service at all times. The various services that the company offers are designed to meet the needs of all types of people. This helps to foster company loyalty and ensures that UPS receives a high level of repeat business.
Quality and Efficiency
UPS is dedicated to providing efficient and convenient services. These are designed to cover every aspect of parcel delivery, from parcel wrapping to dropping off packages. Parcels are secured so that there are no breakages at any time, giving customers pure peace of mind.
Safety
Safety is at the core of everything the company stands for and delivers. UPS employees go the extra mile to make sure that all parcels are safe and secure at all times. The company’s record reflects that there are less than 0.01% of damaged parcels overall.
Sustainability
The company invests in discovering and developing more environmentally friendly packing materials. This helps to reduce the excessive demands on trees that are increased by many competing companies. UPS is constantly searching for innovative methods to be greener and help protect the planet and communities.
Innovation
Like any company that has been operating for decades, the secret to the success of UPS is innovation. Companies that find a winning formula and stick with it over the years run the risk of becoming outdated. UPS has maintained its most successful elements while also investing in innovative services, products, and delivery methods.
Why Not Try The “Trucking Life!”
If your heart is set on working at UPS, then our UPS Application Online Jobs Career Info will come in handy! But, if you do have a criminal record, please read up on Does UPS Do Background Checks, or Does UPS Hire Felons, as well as Does UPS Drug Test Package Handlers, before applying.
Next, we’ve heard there is great money to be made as a truck driver! So, check out the Trucker’s Guide for the Beginning Truck Driver, the Trucking Life: An Entertaining, Yet Informative Guide to Becoming and Being a Truck Driver, as well as the $100,000 and Freedom Too: Why Truck Driving Might be Right for You to decide for yourself!
If you’re still not sure, we recommend reading up on Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving, which I found very informative, along with A Trucker’s Tale: Wit, Wisdom, and True Stories from 60 Years on the Road, and The Long Haul: A Trucker’s Tales of Life on the Road all available online in 2023.
Final Thoughts
The name UPS is synonymous with reliability, speed, and accuracy. The company puts integrity, teamwork, and service at the head of its core values. The commitment to quality and efficiency allows customers to have faith in the company and has allowed UPS to thrive.
UPS boasts a clear and simple logo that is instantly recognizable to people all around the world. When customers see the gold letters on the brown background, they instantly associate it with the company.
The shield that the bold letters are printed on serves as a strong reminder of what the company stands for.
All the very best with your new career at UPS!
