CPI Corporation Employer Reviews

I would check the server for incoming work. Assign all proofers according to the work needed that day. Once they were all working I would proof, answer questions and trouble shoot any computer problems.
I learned so much from the people in this company, it's hard to give a few. Software programs, management, people skills, color management and much – more... much more.
I was management for 5 years so, I have to say they were a great bunch of people.
For the past 8 years I trained many new proofers. The hardest part of the job was when I realized they weren't going to make it.
The most enjoyable part was when I realized the new people were going to make it. Because I never knew the kind of person that was being hired. – less

Worked hard for years only to have the carpet pulled out from under us by the board of directors. Company could have had a successful business model with correct leadership and investments in people rather than trainer less training programs and micro managing oversight.

I loved my regional and had faith and loyalty in this company.

CPI Corp officially closed it's doors in a vote on the night of 4/3/13. It shuttered all US Sears, Pictureme, and Kiddie Kandids over night. On the morning of 4/4/13, the employees saw "Your studio is closed. Do not attempt to clock in." on their computers.They were then told to go to the web page where a letter from the CEO, told them they had closed – more... the entire US operations down effective immediately. Last pay day was 4/5/13, last date of insurance 4/5/13. No date given when the prepaid orders will be sent to the host stores for them to distribute. – less

Coworkers were often high school kids with little to no work experience or ethic. Calls to my home every time I had a day off or was not at the studio.

Horrible Bullies run the show.The supervisors don't care about the culture .Its just like a schoolyard

I worked mostly first shift but during the Christmas rush every year I was working second shift as a lead person in the bagging department. I learned all about processing film and all the differant steps to run the business.Our main plant was in St. Louis, MO. We were a very close company with management and higher-ups.
My co-workers and I were very – more... close and we still are. Working very long shifts at Christmas was the hardest part of the job, we worked from Thanksgiving thru Christmas without any days off and 12 hour days. The most enjoyable part of the job was meeting such great people and bosses to work with for 24 years. – less

I had many talented managers and coworkers. Unfortunately the photography industry has declined and many people lost jobs when departments were eliminated.

worked with children making them smile, ran everyday business was manager to 24 employees

At one time CPI was a great place to work. Due to the advance technology in digital photography, this business is slowing sinking.

Started working as seasonal, moved into management about a year later. Since then, I've been through 3 realignments and 4 DMs. The company went through 2 DMS in less than a month. 2 of them wouldn't stay with the company due to the directions from the higher ups stating that they had to verbally abuse managers because that's how work gets done.

Day – more... includes getting sits...getting sits...getting sits. Begging for people to come in. When people sign up, the company sends free merchandise for a variety of sizes and wants employees to upsell. STOP sending out free stuff, doing the same thing different ways is INSANE. – less

CPI gave me many opportunities to stretch my abilities within the areas of design, construction, facility management,and real estate.

I have worked for CPI for 2 years. I moved from seasonal to management really quick. And regardless of my abilities I can't help but feel like the fast track to management wasn't due to the faith my DM had in me but rather the need to fill a position. I took over my first studio and was faced with a filthy studio that was poorly managed, I worked hard – more... and turned things around. I moved to a closer studio and again walked into filth and poor management and turned that studio around as well, then I moved to a third studio and this one was the worst of all three! Not only was it dirty and unorganized, it was in the hole! I worked really really hard and not only made my ridiculously high goals, but I also managed to get it out of the hole! CPI has recently gone through its third realignment in a year and are preparing for more studio closures...we, the field management, do not yet know which of us will be losing our jobs! A factor they have yet to clue us, the employees actually getting the job done, in on! The company owes so much money to its lenders I honestly see the only option would be for the company declaring bankruptcy! – less

Very busy environment, if you enjoy working independantly, this is the place!

Constantly over staffed. Managers work 60 hours a week but are not valued for a job well done. The company itself is not doing well. They refuse to make advances to keep up with rival companies.

The most enjoyable part of my job was working with the public, working with the customers to help preserve their moments in time.

• Lead and support a district culture focused on sales, customer satisfaction, retention and growth.
• Develop an annual business plan for the district with individual goals for each studio focused on building revenue and controlling expenses.
• Attract, recruit and hire studio managers who are superior to those of our competitors.
• Ensure effective – more... training and development of the studio management team.
• Develop and implement a sound succession plan for open positions.
• Ensure each studio provides a consistent and satisfying customer experience. – less

 •Lead and motivate store teams and manage performance to ensure the highest level of achievement of the Company’s sales plans for his/her store. •Clearly define and communicate the Company’s objectives and standards to each Store Manager to help him/her understand our overall business strategies, expectations, and how he/she can make improvements – more... that will directly impact their business results.•Provide leadership training and guidance to Store Managers to ensure that the Company’s sales goals and operating standards are being effectively communicated to every employee at his or her location and that he/she is managing staff to the highest levels of performance and teamwork. •Give direction to Store Managers to improve problem solving, planning, management and decision-making skills. •Oversee the recruiting, hiring, and orientation of staff at each location to help Store Managers identify talent and to ensure that each store has the most qualified management and sales teams – less

A great oppertunity to travel and experience things and places i,ve never had in the past. The oppertunity to handle projects on your own , by blueprints/ schimatics with very little supervision. Overall exciting experience.

a typical day at work would include opening procedures and testing equipment, checking inventory of all shipments. Confirm and plan daily appointments and check for any messages from the day before.Contact and follow up with staff as far as goals meet or not meet. To check in and process all shipments.
Contact and perform outreach calls to increase – more... business and ensure sales. Greet, shoot, sales and deliver portrait packages to customers with both appointments and walk-ins smoothly while maintain high levels of customer service to ensure returning business.Clean studio and adjust employees schedule based on business and sales for the next day.Attend conference calls and evaluate performance. My job involved a great deal of multi-tasking which is one of the things I loved because it was always something different and you never got bored.The hardest part of the job was finding the right people to fit.The most enjoyable part of the job was seeing a mother shed a tear because you made her vision come to life and also watching my employees grow into leaders like myself. – less

As a manager for CPI one's responsibilities ranged from customer service ,machine maintenance and repair, production, stocking, ordering, training, calibration, in a shopping mall providing 1 hour photofinishing services. Often under staffed with a low hourly rate CPI had a difficulty maintaining long term associates. I was fortunate in that I really – more... enjoyed learning more about photography and I built a loyal following of clients to each store I took over after management had been dismissed. My dedication to quality and service developed relationships that I value today, some 25 years later. – less