Staples, Inc. : Staples.com Survey Reveals Businesses Can Manage Without the Boss, But Not the Office Administrator

Respondents Confess Administrative Assistants Know More About Their Day Than Their Spouse Does in Staples.com Survey for National Administrative Professionals' Day on April 25

In honor of National Administrative Professionals' Day, a Staples.com survey provides insight on the "office VIP," finding the administrative assistant more crucial than the boss in many offices. Staples.com conducted a non-scientific poll with social media followers on Twitter and Facebook about the office manager role. The survey found nearly two-thirds (65.2 percent) felt the office would be more likely to fall apart without the administrative assistant than without the boss (30.3 percent).

In addition, the survey found administrative professionals fill many "official" and "unofficial" jobs at the office. The majority of administrative assistants who responded report their roles could be described as all of the following - from crucial business functions (human resources director, accountant) to personal support (concierge, therapist), even the impossible (magician, miracle worker).

Most non-administrative professionals respondents report that the administrative assistant knows their day better than their spouse (41.6 percent versus 33.5 percent). And when polled which fictional television administrative assistant non-administrative professionals would most like to have at their businesses, Pam Halpert of The Office eked out Mimi Bobeck of The Drew Carey Show (31.4 percent vs. 28.9 percent) as the top choice. Joan Holloway of the popular AMC show Mad Men was a distant third (19.6 percent).

The jury is out on whether National Administrative Professionals' Day is a day of gifting. The majority of administrative professionals (62 percent) report they are not likely to receive anything this year, in contrast to the majority of non-administrative professionals (67.8 percent) polled who said they plan to give a gift, with gift cards ranking supreme (26.2 percent), followed by flowers (19 percent) and food items (16.9 percent).

"This survey highlights what most people already know - administrative assistants are crucial to a successful business," said Anabela Perozek, vice president of marketing for Staples.com. "From magician to human resources director, administrative professionals fill every role imaginable in the office, and Staples is proud to help recognize and celebrate these office VIPs on National Administrative Professionals' Day and everyday."

To help recognize the administrative professional, Staples.com offers a wide assortment of great gift options, from beautiful stationary to the latest in tech, ranging from e-readers to headphones. Staples also offers specialty dessert gift baskets, as well as an assortment of coffee and tea. For a one-of-a-kind gift, consider the customizable mugs or t-shirts from Staples Copy & Print Center. Staples gift cards and egift cards are also popular and convenient options, allowing the recipient to choose from the thousands of products available.

Also from the survey, on any given day, close to half of the non-administrative respondents report that they are likely to ask the administrative assistant for an office supply to borrow (42.9 percent). Staples.com makes it easy to keep the office and breakroom supplies stocked, offering thousands of products online. With its "easy reorder" button, administrative assistants can easily order items that the office uses everyday. In addition, all orders over $45 ship free, an added benefit for Staples customers.

To celebrate National Administrative Professionals' Day, Staples is teaming up with celebrity and administrative assistant Sarah Knight (@SarahK_LA), assistant to Giuliana Rancic, E! News host and star of Giuliana & Bill, and bloggers Vera Sweeney (@VeraSweeney) of Lady and the Blog and Lindsey Holder (@SavvyAssistants) of The Savvy Assistant to host a Twitter Party on April 25 from 1-2 p.m. (EDT). Follow @Staples and use #CelebrateAdmins hashtag to join the conversation and enter to win great prizes, including office supplies and tech products.

About the Survey

The Staples.com #CelebrateAdmins Survey was launched on Staples Facebook page April 5, 2012 and tweeted out to followers on April 6, 2012. The survey closed April 15, 2012 and received 624 responses.

About Staples

Staples is the world's largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

Follow Staples on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/staples and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.

Staples
Mark Cautela, 508-253-3832
Mark.Cautela@Staples.com
or
Emily Hollenbeck, 401-278-4432
EHollenbeck@DuffyShanley.com

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