Fulfillment

Did you know that fulfillment is an excellent path to becoming a part of direct marketing top management?. In days gone by fulfillment employees in the National Geographic Society, the National Wildlife Federation and the National Rifle Association became either the CEO or next in line to the CEO of their respective organizations. Fulfillment people were also the pioneers who brought computerization to many companies and associations.

The much maligned term 'Customer Service' originated in the bowels of fulfillment departments around the nation. 'Complaint clerks' talked by phone or replied by formletters to irate customers who failed to receive a product, publication, membership card or change of address.

The real objective of fulfillment departments today is to promptly, accurately and cost effectively fill orders generated by the creative side of a business or association. New challenges have occurred for products and services sold on the World Wide Web where the fulfillment materials are not always stacked in a convenient warehouse, ready to be shipped.

The Direct Marketing Association of Washington maintains a close relationship with local and national fulfillment organizations. It includes topics important to fulfillment operations in its meetings, seminars and conferences.