Staples
associates
speak over
19 languages.

In 2009, Staples was beginning to grow in Brazil and I really wanted to help. I started as a Junior Attorney, supporting HR in making process decisions and finding a balance between our business needs, the law and our associates’ satisfaction. In a matter of months I was promoted, and I’m now finding ways to communicate our legal work to the rest of the business.

During the last year, our department went through numerous changes, and it was a steep learning curve for all of us. As a team we had to overcome many challenges, and, as a result, we formed a strong bond. It helped that we always knew that we could rely on the support of Staples International.

Looking back I can appreciate how this busy period gave us the chance to prove ourselves. And as we move forward, I’m confident in my team’s abilities because I really believe we can do anything we put our minds to.

Putting a finger on my biggest achievement to date is nearly impossible. For instance, I’m really proud that I completed my master’s degree while working part time at Staples. But then the day I broke a store record by signing up 25 new Rewards customers was pretty awesome, too.

With four years’ higher education and six years’ in-store experience under my belt I felt ready to take on a head office position — and Staples agreed. Today I’m an Online Marketing Executive, which gives me plenty of opportunities to put all I’ve learnt into practice.

The Managers and associates I’ve worked with over the years have definitely made me the confident person that I am today. There’s a great work/life balance, and as a team we try and socialize outside of work. Everyone at Staples wants to see their colleagues grow and flourish — and that’s what makes the culture so great.

One thing that’s always surprised me about Staples is the friendliness of even the most senior staff. Take the UK Managing Director, for example. She’s always visiting stores and happily takes the time to listen to everyone’s opinions and ideas.

As well as making me feel like a respected member of the team, this interaction with managers gives you opportunities to explore new roles. And I’m living proof that if you want to progress within Staples, they’ll support you.

When you work at Staples you meet a lot of interesting people. Just recently, I helped a TV director who needed props to film a pilot episode for a game show. In truth everyone has an amazing story, and because I spend 90 percent of my time with customers, every day brings new surprises.

There’s a saying that goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” — which is why we’re always changing and looking for new ways to be successful.

My day revolves around people. I start by collecting data and reviewing any feedback we’ve received. I then travel around stores and coach our associates. I’ll also take the time to speak to our customers so I can make sure we’re meeting their needs.

I’d heard Staples was a fun place to work, but since I joined I’ve found that it has plenty to offer for a serious career, too. While I started as a part-time Cashier, I’ve worked my way up to General Manager and have been named 2011 Business Woman of the Year. Along the way I’ve held positions in nearly every in-store department and have had plenty of training from mentors and Managers. It just goes to show that Staples is a company that really cares about its people’s success.

I started at Staples in 2002 — on my birthday! Since then, I’ve had plenty more to celebrate. In 2011 I won the Corporate Express Business Woman of the Year award, which was a great honor and gave me the chance to meet many other ambitious women in the company.

Clearly, I’ve worked hard to get where I am today. But something that’s helped me along the way is the healthy work/life balance we have here. You’re encouraged to switch off outside of work, and if I get time, I’ll relax by the sea at lunch, turn off my phone and recharge my own batteries.

Now that Corporate Express and Staples are one big family, we have access to an amazing amount of information and support. Easy really does mean just that — you can talk to anyone in the company and they’re always happy to help. Just the other week at a leadership conference the President for Staples Australia and New Zealand spoke to me about the business — and that’s the type of thing that sets Staples apart from the rest.

I couldn’t live without Post-it notes! I use them for absolutely everything, both in the office and at home — so it’s a good thing I work at Staples. I’ve been here for over a decade and have tried to touch as many departments as possible so I can learn all about the business.

When I had children, I moved into HR. Now I not only have a great work/life balance, but the people around me are very understanding when anything unexpected happens. In all honesty, I couldn’t ask for more.

There’s one thing that never changes about Staples, and that’s the fact that no matter how big we become, there is a real sense of openness and honesty in communication. The atmosphere here is always sizzling with energy, and it’s a fun and lively place to work. Every year I always try and make a personalized birthday cake for my colleagues. So I was delighted when they made a super-human effort and baked me a Zebra cake — even if it was so heavy that it collapsed! It’s the thought that counts.

I am literally just about to embark on the next step of my journey. I’m so excited because my recent promotion to Margin Manager for Staples Advantage Europe means I’ll be living and working in a foreign country, which for me is a dream come true. Of course, I’m going to miss the friends I’ve made where I am at the moment, but I know they’ll always be at the end of the telephone.

In my experience, everyone I have ever emailed with a question has always replied, even if they’re not in my department or even the same building. Making a conscious effort to help others is what easy is all about.

Work is so much more enjoyable when you’re having fun. Staples certainly agrees with this sentiment because they organize everything from summer fun days to bowling trips. Last year I was practicing (perhaps a little too enthusiastically) for the volleyball tournament and accidentally thwacked my teammate with the ball — thank goodness everyone’s got a great sense of humor here, too!