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.