Staples 2007 Annual Report Download - page 6

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Summary of Staples 2007 Corporate Responsibility Report
Staples Soul moves us to operate our business with integrity and in an environmentally sustainable
manner, to support the communities where we live and work, and to reflect the face of our customers and
associates through our commitment to diversity.
Corporate responsibility is also steadily moving our business. Staples Soul is helping us:
• Be an employer and neighbor of choice.
• Differentiate our brand.
• Grow profitably and responsibly.
With operations in 22 countries and a workforce of 76,000 associates, we have the power to make
progress each day, each quarter and each year. While we do not aspire to change the world, we are
strategically making changes to maximize our societal value, minimize our environmental footprint and
create long-term financial success as a business.
It is not always easy, particularly in a year such as 2007, when Staples, like many companies, faced
financial challenges due to the broader economic downturn. We could have pulled back some of our
corporate responsibility efforts in reaction to the difficult economy. However, as you will read in the
following pages, through a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility, we continue to create
positive social, environmental and financial value for our stakeholders and Staples.
We’re proud to report clear advancement in all four of the Staples Soul cornerstones — ethics, the
environment, community and diversity.
2007 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BE AN EMPLOYER AND NEIGHBOR OF CHOICE.
• Building a global culture of integrity. Expanded the global reach of our ethics program by
holding interactive workshops, training and town hall meetings in multiple languages and
countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada and China.
• Increasing community giving. Grew worldwide community giving to more than $16 million, a
27% increase versus last year. Staples Foundation for Learning® (SFFL) donated $3.2 million in
grants to nearly 300 educational nonprofit organizations in more than 100 communities
throughout North America.
• Promoting social entrepreneurship. Through SFFL, brought Ashoka’s Youth Venture to
Belgium and Canada and deepened program activities in Europe and South America through the
creation of more than 1,700 youth-led social ventures, impacting more than 35,000 young people.
With this relationship, we enabled associates to become more involved in addressing the needs
of their communities and helping local youth join a worldwide movement of change makers.
• Encouraging parents to talk to their children. Created an exclusive relationship with Boston
Mayor Thomas Menino in support of Read Boston and Early Words, an innovative program that
emphasizes talking to young children to foster communication skills, literacy and scholastic
success. Through this $550,000 contribution, Staples is helping underserved youth grow their
vocabulary through positive interactions with their parents.
• Enhancing our commitment to diversity. Launched an Associate Diversity Plan of Action within
our sales organization and developed the organizational structure of six regional diversity task
forces. Proudly accepted two awards for our commitment to diversity: 25th Top Organization for
Multicultural Business Opportunities (DiversityBusiness.com) and A Best Diversity Company
(DiversityCareers.com).
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