Over 31,000 hours
volunteered across
the globe.

Once I’d completed my MBA I was looking for a role where I could put all I’d learned into practice. At Staples I found a team that was constantly challenging concepts and exploring new ideas.

As an Outsourcing Project Manager, I assess new opportunities through financial analysis, so I can find the best solution for our internal clients. Besides helping other countries start different business lines such as Retail or Catalog, I’ve also founded HOLA (Hispanic or Latino Associates diversity group).

I have to admit, I was surprised by all the initiatives Staples has in place in order to listen to their associates. And what really amazes me most about my colleagues is their commitment to each other. No matter how busy they are, if an unexpected deadline arises, they’ll be there to help. It’s more than just teamwork; the people here really care, and that’s what makes being part of Staples so special.

I’ve been with Quill (a Division of Staples) for over seven years, and in this time I’ve come to realize that easy is built on teamwork. The company encourages employees to job shadow so that they can develop professionally and seize opportunities when they arise.

I carpool with my husband each morning and arrive at work by 7 am. This is the time I cherish the most because it’s quiet and I can peacefully plan the day. After that, it’s all go. As Project Manager I lead meetings and keep in contact with our business partners. I also oversee a team of Business Analysts. And with so much going on, my super-sticky Post-it notes prove invaluable.

Staples doesn’t just look after its people, it cares for communities far and wide, too. Every Christmas our IT department adopts a local family to send presents to. The thank-you letters we receive are incredibly touching and sometimes the families send photos of the gifts under the tree. The annual generosity of the entire team never ceases to amaze me.

I’ve worked in different areas of Staples, which has meant lots of cross-training. I’m in the Shipping department now, where I sort and palletize freight for customers and the stores.

Since joining, I’ve learned that I must become the change I want to see in life and in my work environment. It’s not hard, though — after all, the work and life balance allows me to work part time and balance my career with my school studies. In short, Staples is definitely a great place to develop, grow and advance your career.

One day while I was a work, my apartment caught fire. I lost everything and I had no idea how I would replace all the essentials. Then the guys from work called — they’d had a fundraiser and collected donations to help me put things right. That proved to me how much Staples people genuinely do care about each other, and to this day, I feel really happy when I think back to getting that call.

For me, easy is a life philosophy: it’s easy to make a difference and it’s easy to touch someone’s life. So at Staples we reach out to our local communities through both large-scale initiatives and less formal programs.

It’s these projects that have defined my career so far. My biggest achievement has been setting up “Banco Escolar,” a Staples Portugal CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project linked with social media. Together with a non-profit organization, we developed an innovative donation program using Facebook. This has helped us give over 300 disadvantaged children school kits and supplies. It also directly resulted in a 75 percent increase in Facebook fans in only three weeks. On a professional level, this project has also made a lasting impact on my CV. It was the first Portuguese campaign in the Facebook Studio Hall of Fame and was also nominated for Worldwide Best Campaign.

I never would have imagined that when I started at Staples as a Communications Assistant, some three years later I would be managing their PR and New Media. My role has developed alongside the changing face of PR, and the supportive team at Staples has been there all along to ensure that my skills evolved at the same time, too.

If you want to hear all about the different programs that Staples runs for their associates, then we’re going to need more time. Because after nearly two decades I am still surprised by Staples’ ongoing commitment to its team’s welfare. And it’s not just during special events, like Associate Appreciation Day – the Staples culture cares around the clock.

The managers make a big difference to the work/life balance. Of course there are busy periods, but that’s why everyone is there to help each other and to ensure that no one works too many hours.

We’re a highly motivated team, who pride ourselves on taking people by surprise with new, exciting ideas. We have fun during our breaks and choose interesting activities to celebrate special occasions. Back in work, new managers are given a mentor to help them learn the Staples way. Overall this dynamic integrates the group, which in turn creates an atmosphere geared towards success.

Because of Staples’ culture and diversity, I knew it would be the company for me. I also knew it would give me the opportunity to experience life in different countries and teams. In fact, I worked as an Export Specialist in China before focusing on imports here in Canada.

In terms of what I do, it’s really interesting. I cost an import project, set it up, determine forecast, place orders, have them shipped, clear them through customs, have them received and ready for picking, determine store needs, cut replenishment orders, ship to the store where it can be sold and, when it is, we do it all again. Phew.

Staples’ culture supports me every day, and helped me make the transition from China to Canada very smoothly. Plus I get all kinds of support from colleagues and managers. Personally, I always do everything I can to contribute and make life easy for customers and colleagues.

Our workplace is one of inclusion and acceptance, which includes developing a diversity of thought and experience. This makes Staples a leader in the industry.

I’m just so proud to be selected from all Staples’ amazing associates to be featured on this Web site. I know it may sound corny, but I really wouldn’t be the associate that I am today without the great team that I’ve worked with for the last five years. Together we work with dedication and integrity.

Before I joined, I’d heard great things about Staples. So with my friend’s endorsement ringing in my ears, I applied for Divisional Sales Manager. The rest, as they say, is history. I’ve gone through a series of promotions within retail since then, and I’m now an Inbound Supervisor.

While I have plenty of time to spend with my kids, I can never forget about Staples because I have two Easy Buttons (in French and English) at home. We press them when there’s cooking, cleaning and homework to be done — which actually isn’t always easy…school is tough these days!

I love coming to work. People have said that they’ve seen me skipping across the parking lot towards the office.

My days are very busy because it’s down to me to make things happen. Once I’ve energized my team, we set about executing Staples’ strategy. Most importantly, I collaborate with various leaders across the company to help them be more successful. Because just like the humble stapler, it’s only by binding everything together that we can become a winning package.

Developing talent is really important to me, and it’s an honor to co-chair the Asian American Associate Resource Group (SPARC) at Staples. I’m incredibly proud of the team that I’ve built because we work very well together and are achieving some impressive results.