Re: Cindy Wingo
In my inbox this morning was a copy of an email regarding Xpedx releasing Cindy Wingo due to “Changing dynamics in the Printing industry combined with increased financial scrutiny from the economic downturn”. While a huge shock, even more curious was the statement that they’ve “eliminated the Sales Specification position”.
For those in the Indianapolis area who have worked with paper reps, there’s a good chance you’ve not only worked with Cindy but have found her to be an incredible resource. As a relatively new face in the crowd, I’ve only had a limited amount of exposure to Cindy but I can confirm several things about her. First, she has a commitment to helping customers. As a spec rep, she helps us as designers choose the right paper for the job. And that’s important, it’s what gets “please spec xpedx” on the print requests. Last month, for example, I was spec-ing a paper and needed to know if it was FSC certified. The job required the use of an FSC certified paper, and without Cindy doing the research to tell me that the mill updated the product line and that I needed to spec the new version of a paper I would have failed or Xpedx would have lost the sale to the printer. Because Cindy was committed to helping me get the job done correctly and creatively, they got the benefit of providing the paper for the job. Second, Cindy Wingo is an incredibly nice person. It’s no secret in the world of sales that some people are nice to get your business or conversely that some people are rude simply because they don’t need your business. Whatever the case may be in regards to Xpedx needing our specification for their house, Cindy was always nice because that’s who she is. I don’t know her personally outside of a professional relationship, but I can testify a second time on her behalf acknowledging that she is the kind of rep that any person would want to buy from. She was jovial and prompt. She was committed to finding an answer and detailing the case. She was ready and happy to make sure you knew what you were doing. Like the first case, this also affects Xpedx’ ability to receive specs. Cindy’s attitude and professional demeanor both encourage designers to work with her in getting the job done.
The bottom line is this: without a person operating in Cindy’s position designers have no reason to spec Xpedx and now we’re more compelled to ask the printer to just spec the lowest priced paper. Not only that, but because of the handling of this release designers like myself have no clue whether or not Xpedx is going to be able to provide us spec help and answers. That further encourages us to look elsewhere. And, perhaps most important of all, without someone like Cindy in that position they’re going to do the opposite of what they intended by cutting her position. Designers and directors all over the city know and love the work Cindy does for them, and several emails from a wide variety of sources this morning have only confirmed her ability to make Xpedx successful.
For the lay-person, this is like (sort of…) cutting out the Barista at Starbucks (at least if your experience is like mine here downtown at the Conseco store). Where before you came in to people who knew your name and preferences and who could recommend new drinks or new styles of your favorite drinks, now you just get a person at the register who tells your order to another person without any of your input. You don’t know whether that Americano is a double or triple shot. You don’t know if that Vanilla Latte is using 1% or whole. You don’t know if you’re getting bold or regular. And, not only that, but you don’t know if there are new drinks and there’s no one to ask. What’s the point? I can get that service at the gas station for $.99.
It’s a curious position for Xpedx to take, to say the least. The economic downturn has been hard on everyone, and I’m sure this cut was a very difficult decision to make, but it’s mind boggling and appears to be working against becoming profitable in a hard time. For those out there who may read this, Cindy is a great asset and I encourage her hire while she’s available because she’s been a great asset both for Xpedx and designers like myself who have worked with her.
Xpedx might be cutting off any premium paper sales as well since they are now left with only printer-oriented reps that will simply fill orders for low-profit commodity paper.
Cindy has truly been an outstanding resource for us as well. We are sad to see Cindy let go, but fully expect to see her again when someone else recognizes her value.
I received the email last night as well, as was shocked. As I responded to the representative from Xpedx, like so many others, I never bought paper from Xpedx, I bought it from Cindy. She was the face of the company to me and every other designer in town. This was a bad business decision on their part, and they’re going to see falling profits because of it.
Good luck Cindy!
(Quick, everybody buy a painting from her.)
Bravo!
All of the e-mails talk about Cindy’s impact on the Indianapolis market, but down here in Bloomington, we’ve also come to depend on her expertise. I can count on her to visit us at least once or twice a year (it used to be more, before they recently added other responsibilities to her job). She would give us a quick overview of the new papers out there and their capabilities. She would also update my swatch cabinet. And I’m just talking about my department within IU Bloomington. I know she visited others on campus. So XpedX could be losing a big part of IU’s business. Tsk. Tsk.
Cindy, I hope that you’re reading all of these comments and emails. They are a true testament to your incredible work ethic and your overall vibrant personality. I was so disappointed to hear the news last night, but apparently, I’m not the only one. I hope you realize how many people you have helped along the way. I have no doubt that you will find your niche some where soon. Any company would be fortunate to have you! Best of luck! And please keep in touch!
Hmmm…I’ve been watching the email traffic fly all day today. And now the blog posts. First of all, personally and professionally, I wholeheartedly agree with every sentiment in every post I have read thus far. And then some. To the tenth power. Cindy Wingo is a gem of a person and a crazy solid professional. Like many of you, I have know her since arriving in the Indianapolis design world nearly 15 years ago. I consider it an absolute calamity to me and our entire creative community that xpedx has served her walking papers.
My second thought on this issue is really to ask us all to back up to an even broader view. Let’s face it, we’re not likely to rant enough that Xpedx reconsider (though I suppose we can hope). So beyond supporting our friend I thought we might as well see what else we can take away here.
You see, for most of us, business is still personal. Unfortunately, for companies the size of Xpedx, it’s become anything but. A neighbor of mine has been a DJ for his entire career and has worked for the last 11 years for a station here in town that is now (as they all seem to be anymore) nationally-owned. I won’t mention any names here, but Cumulus decided to reward him for his years of prominent service as the morning show guy by giving him the boot just in time for the holidays. And the folks here in Indy were just the courier pigeons of doom. The order came from on high along with orders to pink slip all of the premier talent working at Cumulus nationwide. Ugly business.
My guess is that a similar fate has befallen our friend and esteemed colleague, Cindy Wingo. Which brings me to my next thought. So let’s ponder this. We’ve been talking…frankly ranting…all day about how important CINDY is to us. But our perspective only matters to Xpedx to the degree that WE matter to Xpedx. Beyond whatever personal blow this “position elimination” is to Cindy, it could also be read as a clear statement about how little we actually matter to Xpedx (from a business perspective, of course…wink wink).
So how did this happen? I’m certainly no analyst, but I did a little digging and here’s what I found. In 2007, printing papers represented less than 30% of sales for International Paper (IP), Xpedx’s parent company. A number that is continuing to decline as IP looks to broaden its industrial and consumer packaging divisions. I would speculate that the creative print work that is specified and produced through agencies is a relatively small bite of even the printing paper slice of the pie. So our importance fades fast when considered relative to the vast offering of IP products. From packaging to copy paper to toilet paper.
So it seems Xpedx has deemed it a better business decision to make money on shit paper than to give a shit about paper…or people for that matter. Again, it’s not personal…and that’s sad. I know I’ll think about this the next time I’m tempted to make one of those decisions that I rationalize as “just business.”
Cari,
I think you’ve really hit on the bigger issue, and it’s really unfortunate. Hopefully this won’t become a trend.
Thank you to everyone who has, over the past 24 hrs., emailed, called and blogged regarding xpedx’s lack of support of the design community and me. Your heart warming messages meant so much.
I have been blessed to work with you all over the past 12 yrs., not only discussing paper but sharing in your personal lives with weddings, babies and many job changes. Keeping up with you all has certainly kept me on my toes. (o:
The one great thing that has come from this is that a number of you have told me that since you all received the entire 400+ email list, ha!, you’ve talked with friends that you had lost track of over the years, upon seeing their name. I encourage you all to keep talking to each other about what inspires you and what doesn’t. As for me…I’ll keep you informed as to where I am and if you want to chat
my new info is 508-1967 cell and cindywingo@earthlink.net.
It’s been a pleasure serving you. Many thanks.
Cindy
Cindy has always been nothing but helpful, knowledgeable and a pure pleasure to work with. I’ve never seen such e-buzz upon someone’s “release” from duty. You go, Cindy. Obviously, you are very well thought of and you’ll land on your feet, probably somewhere even better.
I was truly sorry to hear of Cindy’s passing. I’m sure she’ll end up in a better place than… oh, wait. My mistake. It wasn’t Cindy that died, it was Xpedex’s commitment to the creative industry that met it’s demise! So now I suppose we’ll be specifying paper from 3 year old books or asking for that stuff the Indy Star is printed on. How sad. I’ve only been in Indy for 4.5 years and Cindy was one of the first people I met, and was a great resource. Not only that, she laughed at most of lame jokes, so that’s a positive. I’m originally from Buffalo, where we had an Xpedex location. They gradually whittled their reps down to one person. A person much like Ms. Wingo. I would assume that the same thing has happened in WNY that has happened here.
And Xpedex. What the hell kind of name IS that anyway? All warm and fuzzy? No. Very impersonal Sounds more like the name of a distant planet. “King Neenah of the planet Xpedex has decreed that all representatives to the community of creatives, be henceforth banished from the solar system, to live out their lives in exile in the land of Sappi!” Xpedex! even Duck Dodgers of the 21st and a half century would have difficulty keeping the spit in check when he pronounces it.
“EXTHHHH-PA-DEXXXTHHH”
Anyway, too much carrying-on here. Bottom line is, we’ll a miss Cindy’s presence and expertise. I personally wish you all the best and hope to see you in some artistic capacity in the future! Keep painting! And one last bad joke… you can’t spell “Cindy” without “Indy”
I was stunned when I received the e-mail about Cindy being let go. I have worked with Cindy for at least 12 years and consider her a friend and colleague. In today’s market where quality and expertise are disappearing in the wake of quick and cheap. It makes you wonder what they are going to teach the Designers and Art Directors of tommorrow.
Cindy is one of the few professionals left that will go the distance with you when you have a question about paper. This means, size, color, printability, availability, printed samples, price comparisons, recycled content. All the questions art directors need answers to in order to still try to produce a beautiful product that we can be proud of and still meet the small budgets we are allotted.
She can help with all of your questions and still have a smile on her face and a kind word.
Cindy is one of a kind and I hope her next opportunity comes along quickly and that she will be appreciated.
The best to you, Cindy! I wouldn’t have gotten my “lattes” from anyone else.