Print+Promo Marketing 2022: Supply chain issues, price increases and pandemic fallout continue to affect the print and promo industry, but these 11 CSRs are up for any challenge
The disruptions and difficulties that have plagued global supply chains haven’t eased as quickly as people had hoped. Inflation is only amplifying concerns. People are stressed, which is why earning customer trust has never been more important.
If we think about it, we are all in customer service, simply doing our best to make clients feel heard, understood and supported. But, customer service representatives (CSRs) in the traditional sense typically are at the front line fielding the brunt of criticisms. Who you invest in matters.
Print+Promo Marketing’s 2022 collection of CSR All-Stars exemplify the traits an employer would want their first point of contact to have. They’re able to anticipate, act quickly and resolve efficiently. More importantly, they bring a human element to their work.
Read on to learn how these 11 CSRs keep calm, navigate challenges and more.
Leanna Moore
Hit Promotional Products
Largo, Florida
Key Account Executive
Her Approach to Customer Service: I have always found that customer service is the first voice or first representation of my company. It is important to remember the customer would not be calling if they were not interested, so let me keep them interested.
Anita Strickler
American Solutions for Business
Glenwood, Minnesota
Expanded Services Coordinator/Expanded Services Remote Offices
Her Best Advice: Face the day and your customer with a smile — the results are usually positive. Remember that you, and they, are human and that perfection is an illusion.
Jennifer Kemp
Cap America
Fredericktown, Missouri
Account Executive
Her First Instinct When Things Get Complicated: I’ve learned it’s important to work through one problem at a time. You can’t fix everything all at once, so break down the problem into smaller, more manageable tasks and then complete them one at a time.
Andrea Volker
ID Line & ActNow Media by Halls & Company
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Account Executive – NE Territory
Her Best Advice: Know your product, print processes and materials. Own your mistakes and use them as a nudge toward personal and professional growth.
TinaMarie Cino
Gordon Sinclair
Valley Stream, New York
Inside Sales Manager/Director of Client Services
Her Proudest Career Achievement: To me, … what I am most proud of are the relationships I have formed. It really is rewarding, and it is so important to me to know that I have the respect of my management, my customers and my peers.
Brittney "Bre" Marvel
XLDesign4U
Richmond, Virginia
Senior Accounts Specialist
Her Best Advice: Don’t have any expectations. This is an industry that is always changing and evolving. No matter what role you have, you will grow professionally and individually.
Erin Wright
Pinnacle Branding
Wilmington, North Carolina
Customer Service Supervisor
Her Approach to Customer Service: I try to be as proactive as possible. I do my best to anticipate any hiccups that might arise and plan accordingly. Unfortunately, that is not how the world is working at the moment.
Katie Woznak
Liquid Screen Design
Minneapolis
Branding + Swagging Architect
Her First Instinct When Things Get Complicated: It’s incredibly important to ground yourself and make your mental health a priority. Once you take a moment for yourself, dive back in and step into the issue with a clear mind.
Ruth Roome
Printegra, a Div. of Ennis Inc.
Fairport, New York
Customer Service Representative
Her Proudest Career Achievement: I am proud that I have developed a strong rapport with many distributors that I deal with throughout the years, and because I am dependable and reliable, we have a good working relationship.
Jennifer Velasquez
Peerless Umbrella
Newark, New Jersey
Customer Care Specialist
Her Best Advice: I would advise [those new to customer service] to be patient and always use positive language — even with [themselves]. This helps create a sense of well-being during the day. That feeling will radiate to the clients.
Kim Duplessis
Barker Specialty Company
Cheshire, Connecticut
Account Manager
Her Best Advice: At the beginning of the position, it may seem difficult, but stick with it. It is rewarding. Also, knowing the direction you would like your career to go in is helpful.
