US Cellular 2008 Annual Report Download - page 5

• Best Places to Work in Omaha, Second Place, Medium Employer Category, Greater Omaha
Chamber of Commerce
Diversity and Inclusion
U.S. Cellular values differences and believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce is critical to
business success. Respect for associates and for customers creates an environment motivated by ethics,
empowerment, and business performance. The company’s diversity and inclusion strategy focuses on
five areas: workforce, workplace, marketplace, suppliers, and community.
Communities
U.S. Cellular focuses on improving the quality of life in the areas where it does business. The
company focuses its community efforts on nonprofit organizations serving economically disadvantaged
youth, families, and seniors—connecting people with opportunities for a better life. Here are just a few of
the ways U.S. Cellular has contributed to its communities:
•Calling All Communities—To help offset reductions in school funding across the country,
U.S. Cellular introduced its Calling All Communities program in December of 2008. Through this
grassroots program, communities large and small cast more than 120,000 votes, nominating more
than 6,500 schools to be among the ten to receive $100,000 each. The program harnessed
community spirit and created an opportunity to believe in something better for children’s
education.
• Contributed more than $4.2 million to schools and nonprofit organizations, including $1.2 million
to the United Way;
• Invested in 97 organizations through grants, phone donations, and other philanthropic support;
• Approximately 2,200 associates volunteered more than 9,000 hours on 235 projects, a 273 percent
increase in volunteer hours from 2007; and
• Contributed phones and one year of free service to 42 organizations, and provided emergency
phone service for eight midwest and central region organizations during summer flooding.
LOOKING FORWARD
U.S. Cellular remains committed to adding customers and growing revenues over the long term by
providing a high-quality network, competitive services and products, and superior customer service. As
part of this long-term strategy, U.S. Cellular is targeting selected customer segments, particularly the
postpay consumer and small- to medium-sized commercial segments. To establish a strong
organizational foundation for achieving its objective, the company plans to begin several interdependent
initiatives in 2009, including:
• Developing deeper and more customized relationships with customers at every touch point—
online, in retail stores, and through the billing system—through new customer relationship
management and electronic data warehouse systems;
• Driving online sales and customer engagement by enhancing the learning, shopping, and support
experience at www.uscellular.com;
• Promoting flexible pricing and faster service and product implementation by developing a unified
billing system platform for all customer segments;
• Introducing new services and products more quickly by strengthening service and product
development capabilities; and
• Automating inventory distribution and equipment return, and centralizing repairs for all sales
channels, including agents, through a new handset logistics system.
U.S. Cellular will continue to build its portfolio of data services and products in 2009, supported by
the ongoing expansion of its 3G network. The company also plans to introduce new and competitive
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