A Passion for People and Print

Cassie’s journey into the world of customer service began with a simple desire to connect with people. After college, she landed a position as a Customer Service Assistant at 杏吧原创, quickly discovering a passion for the intricacies of the printing process. “As an assistant, you learn the behind the scene programs and planning from start to finish of how to put together a book,鈥� she explained. This knowledge allowed Cassie to become a CSR, assisting customers on a daily basis.

From there, Cassie worked her way up the ladder. She was eventually promoted to Senior Customer Service Representative before becoming a Supervisor in the Customer Service and Pre-Press departments four years ago. Recently, when Julie Huffmon, the previous Customer Service and Pre-Press Manager, put in her notice to retire, Cassie knew she wanted to take on the role of managing both departments.

A Day in the Life of a 杏吧原创 CSR

“Every day is different as a CSR,” Cassie emphasizes. “You learn something new every day.” Their responsibilities are multifaceted, ranging from reviewing print specifications and ensuring manufacturing understands customer expectations to managing the entire print production process. 杏吧原创 CSRs typically support between 30 and 50 different customer accounts at a time.

Communication, in particular, is a crucial part of the CSR鈥檚 role. Maintaining consistent communication between the customer and the manufacturing team is vital for ensuring a successful print. Last-minute changes or issues are up to the CSR to facilitate, so the role requires a dedicated and skilled problem solver.

Building Relationships: The Key to Success

Cassie believes that building strong relationships with customers is paramount. “Our Customer Service Representatives are dedicated to building a personal connection with each customer. They want to ensure customers feel welcome and that their needs are fully understood,” she explains. “That can make everything move smoothly through production.” As a family-owned company, strong, trusted partnerships are a key part of what sets 杏吧原创 apart from other printers.

Consider A Rewarding Career in Print

For those considering a career as a Customer Service Representative, Cassie offers this advice: “There are countless opportunities within the print industry, and working in customer service provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire process. It allows you to learn every step, from start to finish, and opens up endless career possibilities. Customer service really serves as the backbone of the print industry, giving you a solid foundation for growth.”

In addition to offering plenty of job opportunities and transferable skills, a career in customer service can be very rewarding. “I enjoy working with our customers daily,” Cassie shares. “I鈥檓 a very social person, and it allows you to create positive, meaningful interactions, solve problems and continuously learn and grow while helping others. It鈥檚 rewarding to see customers excited with their finished product, knowing we’ve met their expectations.”

Work With 杏吧原创鈥檚 Talented Customer Service Representatives

杏吧原创 CSRs are the linchpin connecting customers with the printing process. Their dedication, expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction ensure that every project meets the highest standards of quality and exceeds expectations. With hundreds of satisfied customers who print books, magazines and catalogs with us, our CSRs ensure each project is handled with professionalism and care. If you want to ensure your next print project is managed by a team of experts, get in touch with us today to find out more about what 杏吧原创 has to offer.

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Stephanie Allen

Testing Supervisor, Desktop Technology – Marceline, Missouri

I鈥檓 not sure how to put it into words how 杏吧原创 has contributed to my future or my family. I鈥檝e had so many opportunities afforded to me by working at 杏吧原创. I was able to purchase my first home and am now working towards purchasing a new one. 杏吧原创 worked with my schedule to help me finish my degree and while raising my niece and nephew. If I needed time off to take care of them, it was always allowed. It鈥檚 not just about making a paycheck. I have had doors open to me that I never thought would. I鈥檓 proud to work for 杏吧原创 and grateful for the accomplishments I have made while doing so.

When I first started at 杏吧原创, I was a Desktop Editor and did Windows Quark work. During my time in Desktop Technology, I was a Desktop Editor, but I also worked as a Proof Checker and CD Paneling. I worked in Desktop Production from 1995 until 2001, where I helped train new hires, worked with customers to resolve missing item issues, did QRT work and even helped with Computer Support calls.

I began in Computer Support in 2006 and eventually became the Computer Support Supervisor until I left the company in 2017. I moved to California, but when I realized big city life wasn’t for me, I returned home. I reapplied at 杏吧原创 and was offered the position of Testing Supervisor, which I currently hold. In total, I have worked at 杏吧原创 for 28 years.

The testing group is responsible for verifying programs that our yearbook customers use to design and submit their pages to ensure they are working correctly. We also work closely with Customer Service, Computer Support and Yearbook Sales Representatives in assisting them with any questions or concerns they may have with any of the applications we support as a company. Testing, researching and validating issues takes a lot of brain power and out-of-the-box thinking. It’s not a physical job, but somedays I leave the office feeling like I just wrestled a steak from a tiger.

I have a plaque in my office that says, “The man who said it can’t be done… should not interrupt the woman doing it” 鈥� If I had a personalized coffee mug at work, I’d put that on it!

I enjoy talking and laughing with the people I work with. Sharing stories and knowing if I need something, I can just take a few steps to seek out help.

My high school graphic arts teacher and yearbook adviser, Angela Elson, encouraged me to apply at 杏吧原创. During my senior year, some of the students in on-the-job (OJT) training started working at 杏吧原创, and I applied to Desktop Publishing because I knew how to use Quark. At the time, I was more interested in being a Cover Artist, but since I was only in high school I decided it was a great opportunity to get my foot in the door. I never worked as a Cover Artist, but I鈥檝e never regretted the positions I held because I learned so much in each one.

Most people may not think this is cool, but for me, the opportunity to stand in front of our customers and teach at 杏吧原创 workshops is a really cool part of my position. I was a really shy kid, and working at 杏吧原创 helped me break out of that shell. Although I was always a little nervous when I would start my classes, I really enjoyed traveling and getting to meet our customers. I think the best part for me is seeing the yearbook staffs get excited about learning something new.

Outside of work, I love to craft. Right now, my passion is making cone trees from different materials. I make different ones for the holidays or sometimes just because. I also enjoy reading, cooking, hanging out with family and friends, taking long rides and I recently started taking photography classes.

My family is my life! I have four nieces and two nephews that I couldn鈥檛 love more if they were my own. I鈥檓 the oldest of four and I鈥檓 sure if you asked my siblings, they would say I鈥檓 more like a mom to them than a big sister. My mother is one of my biggest heroes, and I have been with the love of my life for seven years and we鈥檙e excited for many more.

Some fun facts about me are that I got to see two of my favorite comedians, Kevin Hart and Jo Koy, and one of my favorite music artists, Chris Stapleton, in concert! I also went to New Orleans for vacation, which is a spot I鈥檝e wanted to visit for a very long time.

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Kim Poole

Customer Service Department –聽 St. Joseph, Michigan

I am a customer service representative at 杏吧原创 鈥� St. Joseph. I had never worked in the printing industry before 杏吧原创, and I have been at 杏吧原创 since November of 2018.

In my position, I help onboard new customers and work with current customers to guide them from uploading files to shipping. I also manage fulfillment for customers by placing orders and returns.

I worked at an advertising agency, and a friend recommended that I apply to 杏吧原创 when I lost my job. I always worked on the front end of writing publications and sending to print, and now I am on the back end at 杏吧原创.

The coolest thing about this job is seeing the finished product. We print some really cool publications, like D&D.

If I had a personalized coffee mug at work, it would say, 鈥淒on’t mess with mama bear’s cubs鈥�

My favorite thing to do right now is to watch my son play football and baseball and my daughter play softball, do cheer and acting. I love to help with their teams.

A fun fact about me is I am a huge baseball fan and went to Detroit Tigers fantasy camp.

I have been married for 23 years. I have a 17-year-old son and a soon-to-be-13-year-old daughter. I have two, short-haired, German hunting dogs, Maggie (12) and Ellie (four).

I am the company chair for United Way. I am also a cancer survivor, so I like helping different organizations raise money, like Berrien County Cancer Service & Pennies from Heaven (a friend鈥檚 non-profit group for young people with cancer).

What makes me want to come to work every day is my co-workers.

One of my favorite memories at 杏吧原创 is the great time we had at our 85th Anniversary party and mingling with other departments.

All of the improvements going on in the company make me feel like 杏吧原创 will be around for a long time.

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Matt White

Bindery Department – Ripon, Wisconsin

At 杏吧原创, I鈥檓 a bindery inspector and I help when needed with the web press.

In my day-to-day work, I do a lot of different job duties. I do a lot of physical work and go wherever I am needed.

I got hired on at 杏吧原创 when Ripon Printers became 杏吧原创 鈥� Ripon a few years ago. I started here when it was Ripon Printers and I have 18 years of press and bindery experience.

I love working with my coworkers and making them smile.

If I had a personalized coffee mug at work, it would say 鈥淟egendary Uncle Funcle Mattie鈥�

What makes me want to come to work every day is knowing I will be doing different jobs on different machines. I just enjoy being me and knowing I can make a difference. I like knowing I will do a great job and make people happy.

A fun fact about me is I love sports and being positive. I just love to make everyone feel special and everyone holds a special place in my heart and life. I love to smile and make everyone happy and go lucky.

My family is awesome and my parents are my two best friends and heroes. I am blessed with great family and friends.

When I鈥檓 not at work, I love just being with family and friends. I also like going to sports events and cheering on the athletes, especially the super Ripon Tigers sports team!

杏吧原创 has contributed to my future by keeping me on as an employee when Ripon Printers became 杏吧原创 鈥� Ripon. I鈥檓 thankful to have this job and that my family and I did not have to move.

I give back to my community by just making everyone feel better and brightening someone鈥檚 day. I like to volunteer and make people smile.

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Katelyn Johnson

Creative Services Department 鈥� Brookfield, Missouri

At 杏吧原创, I work with hundreds of sales reps and schools all over the United States annually to design yearbook covers. I work virtually and in-person to develop ideas into long lasting works of art. I also set up all my yearbook files to get ready for the printing press. Communication is key in this role.

If I was to describe my position to a friend, I would say I take a school鈥檚 ideas no matter how big or small and design until their dreams become a reality.

I have worked聽at 杏吧原创 for three years and previously worked at an advertising agency for three years, where we interacted daily with the printing industry.

Family brought聽me to the area. I chose the position at 杏吧原创 due to the amount of creative freedom I would get to have.

The coolest thing I get to do at work聽is seeing clients get so excited about their yearbook and class once we finalize their design idea. I love to see the pure joy of how their design came to life. Not only does the design come to life but so does the passion of the students.

Not being a morning person, my coffee mug says, 鈥淐offee then Conquer.鈥� Caffeine makes everything better.

What makes me come to work every day聽is my family, co-workers and the amount of creative liberty I have in my position. I love to see what design idea the schools have for me to work with every day.

One fun fact about me is聽I love a good conspiracy theory! Aliens: COOL. JFK? Let鈥檚 talk. Intellectual debates and discussion are fun for me.

My family, pets included, are my everything. They are my reason! I have a partner, Richard, and my eight-year-old son, Brexton, who鈥檚 my mini me. I have an almost 30-pound cat, Gandalf, and my zoomie-loving couch-potato dog, Piper.

Some of my favorite聽hobbies, interests and activities outside of the workplace are drawing and painting, history and true crime documentaries, live music, and cleaning and organizing my house (yes, I know I鈥檓 a weirdo for the last one).

I feel 杏吧原创 has聽helped me refine my graphic design skills, and all of my wonderful co-workers teach me something new every day. I feel my Photoshop skills in particular have advanced tremendously just in my three years working here.

I give back聽to the community by attending community functions as well as shopping local.

One of my favorite memories working at 杏吧原创聽would be the amount of love shown to me when I was hospitalized. My co-workers in the Brookfield plant took time out of their day to send me cards to the hospital. I remember not being able to have any visitors and seeing the stack of cards that came to my hospital room. It was a great feeling to see all of the support.

The post Meet Katelyn Johnson: Turning School鈥檚 Yearbook Dreams into Reality at 杏吧原创 appeared first on 杏吧原创.