We have 85,000+
associates in over
26 countries.

I’ve been with Officenet since it was founded in 1997, when we began with just two incredibly ambitious entrepreneurs and 14 associates. Fast forward to today, and we’re a key player in the global office supplies industry.

In 2012, I’ll be celebrating 15 years with the company. I’ve gone from a Key Account Manager to a member of the Executive Committee of Staples Argentina. I’m proud to say that I’ve built the MIS & Business Intelligence department from the ground up — and we’re now the most efficient and trusted source of information analysis and reporting in Argentina.

There are so many amazing stories within Staples, but one of my personal favorites has to be Officenet’s 10th anniversary. To celebrate, we organized a marathon and the whole company pulled together to make the project a success. On the day, over 3,000 runners participated, including multi-marathon champion Ron Hill, who was aiming to run marathons in 100 different countries before he turned 70. Best of all, our CEO was running side by side with Sales Reps, Pickers and Managers. It was a very special (and tiring) morning!

Call me old-fashioned, but my favorite Staples products are notebooks and corkboards. They help me stay organized and remind me of everything that I have to do — which is a lot.

Since arriving at Staples, I’ve worked in a range of roles, from Customer Service to Training. And it’s these varied experiences that have prepared me for my current position. While working at home is something I cherish (especially on a snow day), it can often be more challenging.

Another memorable moment was one Christmas when I was a Customer Supervisor. Just as we were about to close, I answered the phone to a distraught customer. The camera that she’d ordered for her daughter hadn’t arrived. Moreover, her daughter was going traveling the very next day. So I sourced another camera, put it in a taxi and sent it straight to her door. The woman was delighted and said that Staples had taught her something about the meaning of Christmas that day — now that’s what I call festive cheer.

I quite often literally go the extra mile for our customers. If someone’s ordered a chair and I’m in their area, I’ll happily load it into my minivan and take it straight to their door (so they don’t have to pay the delivery charge).

In terms of what it’s like inside Staples, I’ll tell you this — the company offers a truly nurturing environment. I started in the warehouse, but when I told my supervisor that I wanted to progress, he hunted out new opportunities for me. I began working half days with the customer service team, and after several other roles I eventually became an Account Manager.

I’ve come a long way, especially considering I had been a stay-at-home mom for many years and had difficulties finding a job. Other companies were concerned about employing someone who had been out of the workforce for such a long time. Not Corporate Express, though. They gave me a chance — and access to an infinite supply of environmental ice melter, which is invaluable when you live in Canada!

I truly am a proud member of the Staples family — in all senses of the word! Not only have I worked here since 1994, but two of my sons and my daughter-in-law also work in stores — impressive stuff. I have always enjoyed the progressive attitude of the company, and this has certainly played its part in my career. Since joining, I’ve relocated four times and have held five different positions. On my journey I’ve had the opportunity to work with some great people and develop many wonderful friendships.

Every day’s very dynamic, and from the moment I arrive, I could be doing anything from gleaning insight from customers to presenting projects and creating business plans. Ideation sessions are great fun and Staples always welcomes suggestions from its people. Put simply, every associate has the opportunity to influence the business. That’s why we’re always looking for new people with bright ideas who can make Staples even better.

A quick 10-minute update in the morning (and a cup of coffee) with my teammates is often the most efficient way to start the day — and it’s friendlier than sending an email. That’s what easy means to me. It’s all about collaboration, communication and making sure everyone is well-informed.

Staples is full of learning opportunities to build a great career on. I started in Audit but I’d always been interested in the dotcom business, which I had been studying personally for many years. HR helped me by finding stretch assignments in the eCommerce groups and, when a full-time position arose a while back, I was perfectly placed to seize the opportunity.

Compared to many Fortune 500 companies, Staples is relatively young, which means it’s still going through exciting changes. So if you want to make your mark, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to shape our business as we continue to become a truly world-class organization.

There’s never a dull moment at Staples — days fly by because it’s so busy. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but that’s exactly why I love being part of this organization. We are a very driven company that makes the most of each workday.

Little did I know that when I was hired as an HR Manager, some 10 years later I would be Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion. And while I’ve worked hard to progress in my career, I also owe my success to the many great managers who have respected my abilities and given me countless opportunities to strut my stuff.

And I got to strut my stuff in an entirely different sense when we sponsored a “Move your Body” campaign. We spent weeks secretly practicing one of Beyoncé’s routines before the final dance-off. The audience of over 300 associates went wild. Of course, some one recorded it and the next day we were a YouTube sensation — not that I’m going to share the link here, though!

Today, one of our biggest challenges is the convenience of online shopping. So you’ve got to be creative if you’re going to stand out in customers’ minds. Which is why I’m passionate about trying new ideas, testing strategies and working with other departments to develop programs.

As a consumer, I knew Staples provided me with an easy shopping experience. What I didn’t realize was that easy was carried out through all parts of the business. The amount Staples invests in its associates sets it apart from other companies. And some of the most effective training I’ve received has come from the people around me — who are just as supportive outside of work.

A couple of years ago I was training for my first half marathon. The Director of Merchandise also loved running, and we used to regularly catch up. One day, after I’d had a particularly difficult training session, he presented me with a medal “for inspiration.” He explained it was given to him by another co-worker. I promised to pay it forward when the time came. Today, I proudly display my own Seattle Half Marathon medal, and the traveling inspiration medal has a new home in another associate’s cubicle.

In 2007 I started as a finance intern in the Corporate FP&A group while completing my graduate degree. Three years flew by, and I gained experience in multiple roles and developed a strong network of peers, before eventually joining the High-Growth Markets group full-time.

My role was new to the company, so developing it has been my biggest achievement so far. I have established many processes; created clear, standardized management reporting; and raised the bar for myself and other High-Growth Market Finance Managers.

I rely on my finance and accounting partners to help me obtain clear information. And along with Excel, I couldn’t be without a good pen. My handwriting is on par with a third-grade child, so I need something that dries quickly, doesn’t smudge and glides smoothly — the type of pens that, thankfully, Staples has in abundance.

I’m going to describe an average day at Staples. I spend time first thing ensuring I am prepared for any meetings/deliverables for the day. I then check in with my team on the status and expected progress. However, the transformational nature of the European organization requires a constant review of priorities, so my plan for the day is often blown apart by 10 am.

A little later, I make every effort to have lunch with the team in Amsterdam. Due to the difference in time zones, my afternoon is usually spent in meetings with my U.S. teammates. I normally close out my day with a quick drive by a customer’s office to ensure they have everything they need from me and my team before I head out.

The opportunity for Staples in the future is hugely exciting. Whether it’s our associates, physical stores or Web presence, Staples has a unique opportunity to leverage a winning combination of assets to grow the business.