With 100,000 drivers on the road throughout the world, we have mastered the art and science of fuel conservation. Via a combination of technology and driver behavior, UPS avoided driving more than 63.5 million miles in one year with an associated emissions avoidance of 68,000 metric tonnes.

Here are some helpful suggestions on how to reduce fuel consumption and your impact on the environment.  

• Plan your route - Use GPS, maps and internet sites to plan the most direct route possible. Some navigation resources even allow you to select the most fuel efficient route – in addition to the shortest route.

• Avoid left turns and peak traffic times- Waiting to turn left and idling in a traffic jam waste gas. If you can plan your routes and stops with this in mind – like UPS does – you can save fuel, time and money. UPS saves an estimated 29 million miles and 3 million gallons of fuel per year by avoiding left turns.
• Maintain your car - Car maintenance is essential to fuel economy. Following the maintenance schedule in your car’s owner’s manual will keep your car properly tuned, which helps you burn less fuel.
• Check your tires - Check the condition of tires before any road trip to make sure they are properly inflated.  Use the tire pressure guide in your owner’s manual or on the driver’s door jam to fill them to the proper PSI (pounds per square inch). Too much wear also affects miles per gallon.
• Ditch the gas guzzler- If you have more than one car, use the one that gets the best gas mileage. Or walk, bike or take public transportation when you can. UPS drivers use bicycles, mopeds and even “walkers” to make deliveries in dense urban areas.
• Reduce the weight of your vehicle- Unnecessary items in your trunk can weigh your car down and reduce fuel efficiency. Be sure to remove extra gear before your next trip.

Bonus Tip! Drive responsibly –Avoid speeding, jackrabbit stops and tailgating to improve fuel usage and keep you safer. Check out UPS’s Safe Driving Tips for advice on how to remain safe on the road.

Small business Speech Privacy Systems helps solve problems like that.  They sell equipment that masks and reduces the travel of speech.  Systems range in scale from personal devices to systems that discreetly cover entire facilities.  They are especially useful in environments where speech is either distracting to others or needs to be obscured due to the confidential nature of what is being said. 

“Our clients expect world-class service.  And we can give them that because of our relationship with UPS,” said Danny Dollyhigh, sales manager at Speech Privacy. 

Speech Privacy is participating in our Customer Technology Program, and is utilizing Quantum View Manage to get proactive email alerts if a package is going to be delayed. The UPS Billing Center is helping them pay invoices online.

Watch this video to learn how Speech Privacy has used our services to save time, reduce costs and satisfy customers.

We weren’t surprised to find that most small business owners want to work with other small business owners who best understand their complex needs. As a network of franchised locations, each individually and locally-owned, we see this every day in our close relationships with the small business customers in the communities we serve. Interestingly, almost 75% of survey respondents say it is important to have support from a business resource who understands their issues because they, too, are a small business owner. Yet, only 52% percent of small business owners currently work with such a resource.

Additionally, while nearly half (46%) of small business owners would like to work with a local resource who can help make their lives easier, no more than one in four respondents receive any kind of support from a resource partner in running their business.

If you’re one of these small business owners looking for a resource partner who really understands what you need, look to your local UPS Store. Each of our franchise owners understands the needs of other small businesses because they’re franchised small business owners themselves. They help fellow small business owners in their communities with packing, shipping, printing, marketing and more. And, with more than 4,300 locations nationwide, you’re likely to have one right in your neighborhood.

On behalf of The UPS Store and UPS family, we thank the small business community and look forward to continuing to serve you.

To learn more about what UPS can do for your small business, click here.

(click on the infographic to view full size)

UPS has helped Orbit Micro expand its customer base globally with “the opportunity to go places that we couldn’t normally go,” according to COO Ashley Smith.  In addition, the company uses UPS’s Flexible Parcel Insurance to protect systems that are often custom-built for deadline-driven projects. 

Watch the video to see how UPS has partnered with Orbit Micro to streamline operations and enhance reliability; featuring an appearance from UPS Driver Alan Mitha and Account Executive Kami Horton.  And don’t miss a cameo of the CEO’s daughter, who hand-selected her brown dress because she loves UPS!

Q: Adam, so many of us have ideas for great products which never come to fruition. What made you actually start the process of creating Good Nite Lite?

A: Simply put, I wanted to know if I could do it. Like others, I have had ideas that I’d put aside, thinking “wouldn’t it be nice?” The idea for Good Nite Lite was unique and personal. Also, this idea was particularly interesting for me. I have a background in software and this was the first time I’d be creating a consumer product. I figured if I didn’t try it, I’d never know.

Q: How did you fund the product?

A: We started at a difficult time in the economy, so it was challenging to get funding, which is why we self funded.

Good Nite Lite

Q: Can you tell me about some of those challenges?

A: The US dollar was at an all-time low. Then we had another obstacle, the product is plastic, so it’s petroleum based. Well, guess what’s at an all-time high when we came up with the product? Not to mention banks weren’t giving out any money.

Q: A philosophy you lived by while creating Good Nite Lite was, “Fail cheap. Fail quick.” Why is that important?

A: It’s really easy to get wrapped up in figuring out the details. You can get lost in the process. With Good Nite Lite, I didn’t over think it. I pulled the trigger to see what would happen. Since the launch I’ve retooled it based on customer feedback

When testing a product you have to focus on what you can control. Otherwise you end up spending money unnecessarily. 

Q: I understand that you thank the “little people” when it comes to your product.

A: Yes, the little people—by those I mean my children, because without them I probably wouldn’t have come up with this idea. And, now I thank all of the little people who are probably under the age of five. But, let’s face it, Good Nite Lite is a product for parents disguised as a product for children!

Q: How has The UPS Store helped with the logistics of running your business?

A: We have a mail box at our local The UPS Store. I think it’s essential to have a real address for your business, it gives you credibility and people take you and your business more seriously.

To hear more about Adam Nelson and his product, Good Nite Lite, check out a portion of his acceptance speech at the Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur of 2011 Awards. And don’t forget to follow the Twitter hashtag #UPSmallbiz this week to get our Small Biz Daily Deals!

Online shoppers can take advantage of deals on the food you’ll need for the grill, outdoor gear and flowers delivered right to your front door. Many of the customers are also offering free shipping with special promo codes.

White Flower Farm has a special on Casa Blanca Lily bulbs: order 1 dozen and get the 2^nd dozen half price.

White Flower Farm is a small business in Connecticut that has flowers and plants from all over the world.  They count on UPS to transport their delicate deliveries. 

“We’ve worked with UPS for almost 31 years,” says Lorraine Calder, president of White Flower Farm. “When we’ve tried to switch carriers based on price, service or claims, we’ve been disappointed and always come back.”

UPS small business solutions help manage the farm’s year-to-year growth and seasonal business needs. “UPS is willing to go from zero to 120 [miles per hour] and back to zero again with us,” Calder says.

Learn more on how UPS helps White Flower Farm’s business bloom here.

Here’s a few other Small Biz Daily Deals:

• Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies is offering 10 % off sweet treats through June 13. Use promo code business
• Get 10 % off your order at Anderson Seafoods through May 31 using promo code SMALLBIZ10  
• Kansas City Steaks is bringing the steakhouse to your house with free shipping on all orders with coupon code TWTRFS
• Stock up on outdoor gear at Ramsey Outdoor with 15% of any order using promo code UPS15 through June 4

Follow the Twitter hashtag #UPSmallbiz to save big when you shop small!

My role in the NASCAR sponsorship was recently expanded, and I’m now responsible for one of the more notable elements of the sponsorship, the Trackside Services Program.  As the Official Logistics Provider of NASCAR, we have the privilege and responsibility to provide exclusive shipping for customers within the NASCAR garage at all 38 Sprint Cup race event weekends. Check out the infographic below to see more of what we do.

Each week, local UPSers become part of the UPS Trackside Services program. We take care of shipping and receiving everything from promotional items for sponsors to fire suits for teams and drivers. We even assist in overnight shipping of critical parts for teams.

If you are a fan of UPS, NASCAR, or both, we encourage you to ‘Like’ our UPS Racing Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Be sure to check out the Facebook page for the new Trackside Services video coming soon!

(click on infographic to see full size)

Subscribe to the upside blog

Now that summer is approaching, I’m sure I’m not the only one with trips on the horizon. Summer vacations, Memorial Day and Labor Day getaways, Fourth of July trips – they are great, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to take a trip without worrying about what’s going on at home?

On May 18, UPS is proud to be a part of the Girls’ Lunch Out (GLO) party. It’s a networking event for women, and an opportunity to break from the blogging and connect with other busy women, moms and business owners who want to find the same solutions.   

And UPS is here to deliver help. Services like UPS My Choice™ can act as the personal assistant you wish you had. I signed up soon after registering for my wedding. It didn’t take long for packages to start coming to my house, and I was almost never there to sign for them. Now I get advanced delivery notices, I can waive the signature authorization, I can reschedule my deliveries based on my schedule, and I can redirect my packages to the nearest The UPS Store location. Genius!

With My Choice, you won’t miss those must-have shoes or that new laptop for your business while you’re out of town. No more waiting on the delivery when you have important places to be, like for example, the Girls’ Lunch Out party!

The UPS Store also helps women on-the-go with professional printing of business cards and other materials, and mailbox services, which include a mailbox with a real street address, package receiving from any carrier and text and email notifications when you have packages. There’s also The UPS Store Luggage Box, a convenient way to leave the suitcase behind and ship your clothes, souvenirs and conference swag home, reducing the hassle of long lines, security searches and, potentially, luggage fees.

So register for the Girls’ Lunch Out party to mingle with other women in social media and for your chance to win some great prizes! UPS is giving away two gift cards to Zappos worth $300 and $200! Both prizes include a premium membership to UPS My Choice so you can shop for great products and enjoy the convenience of delivery on your terms!

Join Girls’ Lunch Out and UPS on May 18 at Marathon Grill for a free networking event. Register here.

Jim took part in a conversation with other business leaders addressing a range of topics from supply chain practices and trends to how online commerce impacts the global economy. According to comScore, U.S. retail e-commerce spending reached a record $161 billion in 2011.  And Goldman Sachs forecasts e-commerce to be nearly $1 trillion by the end of next year. Before he left, I asked Jim for his thoughts about e-commerce.

The forum is only open to invited guests, though some of the footage will be available after the event. Be sure to visit Upside next week when we’ll have excerpts from Jim’s talk.

Either way, you’re probably not thinking about Nicaragua and Honduras.  But here’s something to consider: 

Did you know that…

• Coffee is one of the main export commodities in Nicaragua and Honduras?
• Nicaragua is the fastest growing exporter to the U.S.?
• Honduras is one of the top 3 largest suppliers of textiles and automobile wiring harnesses to the U.S.?

Source: CIA World Factbook

Global Trade Growth Opportunities in Latin America

Both countries are definitely top-of-mind for UPS.  Today we announced the expansion of UPS Express^SM Freight services to these markets.  Their young and rapidly urbanizing populations have increasing needs for U.S., European and Asian consumer products, which make them active players in the global economy.  Also, main imports to these countries include machinery, equipment and raw materials.  With access to UPS’s wide network and portfolio of transportation and logistics services, companies there can be connected to many more major trading cities around the world and experience international trade in a new way. 

So hopefully, the next time you get a whiff of freshly-brewed coffee or take another sip from your cup, you’ll make a mental connection to Brown.

Learn more about today’s announcement by visiting our press release.  To view a demo about how international air freight works, click here.