Twenty-five years ago, to the month. I started my career at Carr Business Systems. We were newly acquired by Global Imaging, and the outside sales organization was a challenge after coming from multiple retail sales management positions. Outside sales require more effort and time to build a client base, but the rewards are much higher. It took several years to get on my feet and almost was let go after my first manager was more interested in betting on OTB when we were out in the field, than training me. I learned most on my own and when a new manager took over, within three weeks, I was an employee of the month and never looked back. Our training was rigorous. Traffic on the Belt Parkway led us newer employees to just stay in the office in Howard Beach and wait for traffic to thin out. This allowed for more productivity and more sales preparation. The longer you stayed at the company, the more accounts came your way. I joined Gotham soon after a previous member retired from our office and started my tenure at Gotham around 2002 or 3.

I went onto win many President Trips with Carr and went with my wife to 5 Star resorts and never had to pay a dime. We grew to respect management and the direction of growth. In 2007, Xerox bought up Global Imaging, and we now were a wholly owned subsidiary. No one realized how the company would change, but it was a slow process that systematically changed the old regime and management to the Xerox way. Training was changed from vendor on sight to computer classes and videos. Many in our organization left to go to our competitors. Those that stayed got more accounts and made a decent career out of it. Then there was a plan to purchase HP, which never went through as the Pandemic hit. Working from home, we adjusted to Zoom and Teams. I learned that I could sell remotely and take care of my clients without the need to be in person. It was another change, and we evolved. Our entire back staff, over 100 employees that were like family, were slowly bought out and their jobs were outsourced overseas. To many of our eyes, this was the beginning of the end as customer service abruptly got worse. Our jobs in sales became collectors, accounts receivable, service liaisons and suppliers. It was getting harder to make a sale.  

When my son finished middle school and business slowed down, I knew it was time to either leave or move to Florida. We chose to move, but I never thought Xerox would allow me to move and to work remotely from Florida. It went very well for the first couple of years. I hit my plan and felt more relaxed living by the water and warm climate. I enjoyed my monthly visits to NY. As time passed. Management decided to move some larger accounts and prospects away from me and gave them to people that were still local. Then this year, about 70 of my smaller accounts were moved to a Canadian team that did inside sales (for less pay of course). This was part of the Reinvention Xerox was going through as the focus was to move from copiers and printers to software and managed IT Services. They bought IT Savy, a national IT services company, last year, and then Lexmark this summer. It put the company in a lot of debt at a time when few were changing their IT partners, our prices were rising with the Tariff surcharges, and higher lease rates. Business was declining and good reps were being let go.

Fast forward to Wednesday, October 15th and my name came up for the next round of cuts, 3,000 in total worldwide. For those that know me, they knew it has been a tough couple of years. My recent neck nerve issue also compounded the situation as I was in severe pain especially when sitting and driving, making my NY trips excruciatingly painful. I thought I had at least a few more months to close the year, but that was not the case.

So, for the first time in 25 years, I am unemployed. My focus now is to get heeled and then look at some options for work. For now, I am taking some time off, so you may not see me in person that much. Twenty-Five years and done. No time for goodbyes or account transitions. The Band-Aid was pulled off, and my email and computer were remotely shut down. I felt bitter but happy that I had the training and experiences that Carr and Xerox taught me over the years. I will survive.

My personal email is dschwartz000@gmail.com Feel free to contact me there.