Staples’ Post

Congrats to Corporate Coalition member Discover Financial Services on reaching their goal of hiring 1,000 employees in their Chatham call center on Chicago's South side. We visited this site with our members last year. The energy at this facility was so contagious - from the front desk all the way up to the leadership team - and Discover is seeing results too, this site boasted 40% higher retention than other call center locations in the network. Equally impressive is the impact of these jobs goes beyond the Chatham call center itself, it extends into the community and neighborhoods. Discover has spent more than $3 million on local restaurants, $1 million on local vendors for daily facility operations and $8 million with Black-owned contractors on construction projects at the Chatham site. This is #BusinessUNusual in action. #Chicago #SouthSide #Chatham #Jobs #Opportunity #Access #Inclusion #Equity #InclusiveDevelopment #CorporateCommitments #BusinessPracticeChange #MoveTheNeedle #ThinkDifferently #StakeholderCapitalism

A solid forward thinking organization.

When we think about building our careers or businesses, it’s easy to focus on milestones: promotions, new clients, completed projects. But behind those accomplishments is something even more important—the community we build along the way. The people we work with, how we engage with them, and the connections we foster shape not only our professional journey but also our everyday lives. These relationships define the environment in which we spend so much of our time, ultimately influencing our happiness and sense of fulfillment. At Caitlin Stone Consulting, we're intentional about surrounding ourselves with those who value more than just the bottom line. The power of community lies in the fact that we’re building something bigger together—not just businesses, but our lives. We work with people and organizations who believe in cultivating a supportive, effective, and enjoyable atmosphere. When the community we build is strong, our work becomes more than just a means to an end—it transforms into a source of inspiration, joy, and shared purpose. After all, the people we engage with most aren’t just colleagues; they become meaningful characters in our lives. That's why we believe in the power of community, and the importance of relationships. #BrandPillars

As we approach the "unofficial start to summer" with Memorial Day next week, we wanted to explore ways to "Bloom Where You Work" and have fun at the office! It is important to many employees to have a workplace where they feel comfortable, safe, and enjoy being there. As a business owner, you can help facilitate this by implementing a few small, and often inexpensive measures to help bring the "fun" into the workplace! - Build a system of recognition. This is easier than it seems, and is great to foster within your company from the top down. Finding ways to celebrate the little wins is the first step. Everything from closing a contract with a dream client, meeting a tight deadline, or coming in under budget, can be an opportunity to celebrate. Encourage your employees and managers to recognize and celebrate with each other, through verbal praise, a high five, or a quick shout out. Super simple, and FREE! Stay tuned for more ideas to help make your workplace more FUN!

Trust in the power of conversation to create strong communities 🤝 Earlier this week, we joined forces with members of the Marquette community to co-lead a meaningful conversation about inclusivity and belonging in our city. In partnership with Innovate Marquette SmartZone, the City of Marquette Arts & Culture, and Stone Hearth Consulting, we created an open space for community members to share their experiences, listen to others, and reflect on how we can foster a greater sense of belonging for all. The result? People showed up with curiosity and open minds. They shared their experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We listened to each other. We got to understand each other better. We saw what makes this community special and where there’s work that needs to be done. All of this is crucial to creating a community where everyone feels they belong–including those currently a part of it and those who may join in the future. This isn’t the first time we’ve reached out to hear directly from the community—and it won’t be the last. Together, Innovate Marquette SmartZone and the City of Marquette Arts & Culture have made a shared commitment: meaningful change begins and ends with community involvement. Strategic communication is key to making that commitment a reality. It’s been a privilege to support our partners in connecting with the community—reaching out, listening deeply, and learning together. We’re proud to help lay the groundwork for even more meaningful conversations and collective growth in the future. 🫶 #SirenStrategy #MediaRelations #Communication #StrategicCommunication #PublicRelations #EarnedMedia #ClientNews #Community #ListeningSession #Michigan #Marquette #UpperPeninsula

When we hire a new employee at Puget Systems, I usually get a few minutes to chat with them either on Zoom or in person. I recently had 15 minutes to chat with one of our new consultants and he asked me what advice I had, having spent 12 years at the company across three departments. My advice to him is the same advice I've given my kids as they entered the workforce, either part-time or after graduation: "You'll get recognized for volunteering to take care of the jobs nobody wants to do, not the ones everyone wants to do." See something that needs to be done at your company? Start doing it. You may not have all the tools at first. You may need to learn a new skill. But you can bet your initiative will be recognized and rewarded.

What do we do at Peace by Piece International? We're your one-stop-shop for all your corporate gifting needs. Our extensive range of gifts not only delights recipients, but they also make a direct, positive impact on the social and environmental causes you care about. We partner with social businesses and NGOs both in the US and abroad to support communities through job training, education, and employment opportunities. We guide you through the process of selecting gifts that align with your company's values and help you customize and brand them to best represent your organization. With a large variety of products available, you can choose items that that your recipients will love and appreciate, all while showing that you care about giving back. Whether you're welcoming that new hire or planning your next big event, you can choose Peace by Piece International for gifts that make a difference. #sustainablegifting #corporategifting #morethanESGs #environmentalimpact #socialimpact #customcorporategifts #companiesthatcare

Hi LinkedIn Family! This post is going to be a little different... My first "first day" was one of the hardest days of my career. I remember sitting at my desk and feeling like I was just a character in costume, pretending to be a professional. I was a college kid with no experience or formal education in the field I was entering into. Why am I in this position? How can I deserve to be in this position? Can I really be what they think I am? I spent every day trying to prove that I was the person for the role, until I wasn't. Imposter Syndrome messed with my mental state so badly, I remember thinking, "Maybe I really didn't deserve the opportunity in the first place." That was almost 2 years ago. I look back and see how much that feeling and fear had held me back. I can now proudly say that I am who I am. I am a young professional. I am a learner. I am a leader. I am an overcomer. If any of you feel the way I did back then, this is your opportunity to remove the restrictions that imposter syndrome imposes on you. Register at https://bit.ly/OYB-DIS so you can confidently claim your success and take your career to new heights! #tennessee #chattanooga #professionaldevelopment #impostersyndrome #community #leadership #overcomer #confidence

Huge Thank You to some of our amazing Who I Am Foundation volunteers in #Phoenix, the Hogan family and friends, and Bluprint Music Group who came out to Saturday morning's Community Clean-Up project! They cleaned up Roosevelt St. from 7th Ave to 19th Ave, in honor of Kenny "Fanatic" Hogan! They picked up over 14 BAGS OF TRASH in an hour and a half! A testament to their commitment and dedication. Showcasing the impact you can make in the community by simply volunteer 1-2 hours a week. These Community Clean-Up projects are conducted multiple times each month, and our team will rotate around to different parts of the Phoenix area, to clean up streets, neighborhoods, and parks. Volunteer-led projects such as these are one of the quickest, simplest, and least expensive ways to inspire more community spirit and civic action. A visually appealing community increases property values, attracts businesses, and improves the neighborhood's image. Beauty is one of the three most influential factors in community attachment, which means loyalty, to your particular town or city. Some research even shows that a nice-looking neighborhood promotes good behavior. If you know of any parks or neighborhoods that could use some beautification, simply comment below! Awesome job #TeamWhoIAm_Phoenix

Maximize Your Potential with Workplace Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer opportunities at work aren’t just about giving back—they’re a strategic way to grow professionally. Participating in company-sponsored initiatives allows you to connect with colleagues across departments, develop leadership skills, and showcase your ability to work collaboratively outside of your usual role. Whether you’re organizing an event, mentoring a teammate, or contributing to a community project, these experiences demonstrate initiative and adaptability—qualities highly valued in any career. Plus, volunteering can give you a chance to explore new interests or skills that may align with your long-term goals. Next time your workplace offers a chance to volunteer, take it! You never know where it might lead.