Dollar Tree 2007 Annual Report Download - page 14

12 DOLLAR TREE, INC. • 2007 ANNUAL REPORT
42,000 ASSOCIATES...
AND GROWING
The 42,000 Dollar Tree associates nationwide deliver value to our cus-
tomers every day. Their coordinated efforts are the human element
behind each of the $4.24 billion in sales, 3,411 stores, 151 million cartons
shipped and 550 million transactions in 2007. None of our goals could be
achieved without the combined dedication, talent and hard work of
Dollar Tree associates.
People work at Dollar Tree — not employees. Every person and every
job is important and treated with respect. We know that the growth of our
company depends on the growth of our people, and we are committed to
a culture that fosters growth and development of individuals and the team
as a whole. Our culture is success oriented and we are committed to find-
ing, developing, and retaining great people.
Corporate Culture and Values. We believe that honesty and integrity,
doing the right thing for the right reason, and treating people fairly and
with respect are core values within our corporate culture. We believe that
running a business, and certainly a public company, carries with it a
responsibility to be above reproach when making operational and financial
decisions. Our management team visits and shops our stores like every
customer; we have an open door policy for all our associates, where ideas
and individual creativity are encouraged. Dollar Tree store associates use
their ability and imagination to create exciting merchandise presentations
for our customers in their stores. Our Distribution Centers are operated
based on objective measures of performance, and virtually everyone in
our Store Support Center is available to assist associates in the stores and
Distribution Centers.
“Shaking the Tree”. Dollar Tree associates are encouraged to create,
stretch, and grow. In an effort to improve processes and further control
costs, our people are participating in a process of “Shaking the Tree”, looking
for new and innovative ways to improve performance for the benefit of
our customers. To date, associates from across the organization have
participated in this initiative, generating hundreds of practical ideas yielding
cost savings and process improvements. This is just one example of Dollar
Tree associates using their creativity and insights to deliver superior levels
of operational excellence.
From our buying and assortment planning teams, to our systems,
logistics, supply-chain and Distribution Centers, to our stores — Dollar
Tree’s 42,000 associates work together every day to ensure that our
customers enjoy a fun and friendly shopping experience every time they
visit our store.