Our Team
Why? Why does the team at Make A Difference Office Supplies choose to come to work everyday?
A long time ago we faced the truth. There is nothing too exciting about office supplies! However what is exciting and worth jumping out of bed for is changing the world.
Please read through our profiles to see that this group of people who have been attracted to Make A Difference Office Supplies is doing just that. Our commitment to give back to those in need and at the same time build a world class business is driving us to new heights at every turn.
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Michael Foldi - Director The days, weeks, months and years fly by, don't they? Most of us listen to the news each day and see the massive needs people have around the world. We have a mix of feelings - sorrow, frustration, anger, helplessness and gratitude. We admire people who get out there and do something about it, but still feel like there will never be enough help; that we can never do enough. Finally after 20 years in business I have found a way to make each day count. To feel fulfilled, knowing each day is building on the day before, moving towards a massive improvement in how the world reduces human suffering. To know that we are among the leaders driving change in the business world that will eventually see billions of dollars flow to people in need is very exciting and satisfying. And the money will keep flowing without it being a huge continual effort! How and why will this happen? How? The world is changing quickly and the predominant factor that is going to enable my bold statements to come true is "Information" and, most importantly, immediate and easy access to it. The internet, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, iPhones and more affordable data plans mean consumers can make more informed decisions on who they choose to spend their money with. Information is power and companies will change their behaviour quickly when consumers demand them to give back more to the communities they take their profits from. Why? Because the vast majority of us have the same core values. We believe fellow humans deserve the basic necessities. Shelter, food, education and opportunity to succeed and contribute to their community. It is only in the last few years we truly have a local community called the world. SO we have huge goals here at Make a Difference Office Supplies. Read through our team members profiles to see how committed we are. We are living in the most dynamic and exciting of times where the individual has the power, not the corporations or the governments. All we need you to do is jump on the wagon and spread the word to everyone you know. Support companies that give back generously to the world. Very quickly more and more companies will catch on and realise they don't need to spend many thousands of dollars on advertising and promotions. By giving that money to deserving causes they will see a much better return due directly to the majority of people who will use their knowledge to decide which companies are worthy of their patronage. I really hope you can see this exciting new future. Please keep us informed about other businesses you find that are truly "giving businesses at their core". To keep finding more businesses who are leading this charge go to one of the most important sites on the internet. www.B1G1.com Buy1GIVE1 is a not-for-profit organisation that makes it easy for consumers to find businesses that are giving back generously. Click here to read more. So, I hope you are "converted" and will join us to finally help make this world a much better place for all the years to come. |
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Neil Mullucks - Sales Manager I am a very lucky man to work for a company that encourages us to develop individually as well as be a part of an incredible team of people that share a purpose, not just a place of employment. Our new name, “Make a Difference Office Supplies” is exactly what it says. We no longer come to work just to sell stationery. We are growing into our new identity which started with us doing a few things here and there with organisations that help people who aren't quite as fortunate as we are. Now it's become the driving force of our business. I believe God gave us a beautiful planet with plenty for everyone and somehow it go a bit out of wack. I also believe that there is no time like the present to put things right and in our own small way we hope by doing what we do, that we will encourage other companies to do the same. One person at a time, one company at a time, one day at a time, whatever it takes as long as we are doing something. We are also very aware that for us to do what we want to do, we need to be an outstanding business first, so I am also enjoying my part in the challenge of helping to make M.A.D a fun, enjoyable, efficient and professional workplace for our customers and our staff. In a nutshell, I love it here. It's great to feel you are contributing to something and we all definitely get that opportunity here. As I said at the start, I'm a very lucky man. |
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Anne Foldi - Wizard Extraordinaire l have been working with my brother Michael at MAD for 17 years. It has been an extraordinary journey, especially in 2011 where our MAD Team has embraced many challenges together. |
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Shannon Small - Operations It is great to be able to wake up every morning and look forward to what the day has to offer at Make A Difference Office Supplies. I have been with the company for 5 years and no matter what happens, we always find a way to keep the fun around. We are really building something outstanding and it is very exciting to be a part of the family at MAD. With our ways of 'giving back' you can feel completely satisfied that your work during the day, has contributed to making a person's life better who might not have had the chance to do so for themselves. Giving is one of the most satisfying things we can do as a human beings. I am a father of two which brings such an amazing level of happiness and fulfilment to my life. Having young children really opens your eyes to the suffering some children are enduring around the world and gives you even more drive to help those in need.
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Carol Mullucks - Operations What I love about MAD is that we're committed to making a difference to the world and help people who are not as fortunate as we are. Our director Michael has a big heart and is leading us to be better human beings. We are all reminded that giving every day is very important and this makes life more enjoyable for all. I am being looked after quite well by God. I am very lucky to have a roof over my head, food to eat, a job, good family and good health compared to millions of people around the world. If i can help I would like to let people who are not as fortunate, have the things I have and feel the gratitude I feel. Small actions and short, warm and encouraging words might change a person's life. Don't think what you have to give is too small, you never know what impact it can have.
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Tim Small - Warehouse Manager It's great to come in to work and genuinely love what you do. It can be very easy to get caught up in the daily grind, but working with the team at MAD gives you a real purpose and a sense of accomplishment that you are contributing to a cause greater than any individual. We are very lucky to be in the position we are in. I am a big believer in treating people how you would like to be treated yourself. If everyone in the world was more open and conscious to other people's feelings, the world would be so much better off. There is not enough time in life to spend it worrying about things that are not important. Enjoy your life and live it to the fullest. Not everyone in the world is as blessed with the opportunities that we have here in Australia. Lets face it, it's pure luck where you are born and you don't have a say in it, but we are all part of the same race and thus we all deserve the same opportunities in life so we can reach our full potential. It feels good to be able to help out those who are less fortunate. Giving is not only important to those who are less fortunate but giving in terms of causes dedicated to environmental conservation are very important to me. We all share this planet and we should treat it and all its inhabitants with the respect it deserves. |
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Anna Karamanski - Accounts Payable I have joined MAD only few months ago and I can say again that dreams do come true, sometimes we just need to wait for them a bit longer but it only means we appreciate them then even more. I have one husband, two children, three sisters, four brothers and a googol things I still would like to do in my life (I’d better hurry up). I like numbers, I like stationary and I like giving my time to the community – thus I found the job I have been dreaming about. For the last five years I have been volunteering my time to various children’s non-profit organisations with early childhood intervention one being my biggest and continuous job. Seeing children with disabilities makes me feel how lucky my family and I are. Donations & support can improve their lives and give them hope for the future. I am proud to be a part of Make a Difference family that changes people’s lives. I am happy coming to work every day, working in a friendly atmosphere and being treated like an individual. One of my favourite sayings: “It’s better to have tried and failed than to live life wondering what would’ve happened if I had tried” – Alfred Lord Tennyson |
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Sharon Daly - Accounts Receivable I just love coming to work and what I do. There is just such a positive vibe at MAD! The company is about service, family, people, people and people!! This comes from the top (Michael Foldi), and trickles down the company. I believe that having a leader who strives for continuous improvement sets the tone and the standard that people can and want to achieve too. I also enjoy the fact that the management treat the staff very well and people feel cared for in this environment. A culture of excellence which benefits the clients and also the staff at MAD means everyone wins in the long run. Clients get great service and the staff get a great sense of achievement. I also strive for a work /life balance and believe good relationships are key as is enjoying yourself and, not taking yourself too seriously. Giving is important because of the feel good factor and the smiles you raise at the end of the day. I love my family and work so much that I have my 2 daughters, Jayde and Tayla working part-time at MAD. Finally, I love to travel and have visited over 30 countries. I'm also a footy fanatic, barracking for The Saints and I am on the Southern Football League Tribunal. |
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Greg Wilson - Purchasing & Furniture When I first entered the workforce - longer ago than I care to remember and certainly longer than I would admit to you - I, like many others, worked for ego and personal gain. Ego because within yourself you wish to do the best job you can to show to yourself and others who you are and what you can do. Personal gain is obviously to live in the lifestyle we believe we so richly deserve (and INDEED why not?) For many years these simple things were enough, usually because it was all we were focused on. Then as the years roll on and we become exposed to the world through age, experience and most particularly advances in technology and communication, we see other people, other places, other lifestyles, some better and unfortunately far too many worse. For years now I have been seeing these worlds, observing the inequality, cruelty, harshness and sometimes just sheer bad luck others are forced to deal with on a daily basis if they wish to survive. Somehow sticking my hand into my pocket for a few coins every now and again seemed pitiful and inadequate but what the heck could I do? Well now I have the power, now I can 'make a difference' AND I don't have to do anything special, make any huge effort, or give up that lifestyle. Every hour of my working day just by continuing to do my job to the best of my abilities I am improving someone's life somewhere. Every good decision I make every action I create the money is flowing to those who need it most. We are not only improving peoples lives with goats, water, education & training we are actually SAVING lives with medicine, medical assistance and mosquito nets. I don't have to sell all my possessions, live in a cave eating grass and leaves or work 20 hour days, I just have to do pretty much the same thing every day that I have been doing for years......... THIS IS FANTASTIC …... Best of all, or is it the saddest, we just don't have to give that much to help so many. Jump on the B1G1 website (or via ours) and see just how little can irrevocably improve those many lives. Then as John Lennon said 'IMAGINE' …....... what if all those who could give DID give. What a great little planet we would have. |
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Jade Small - Purchasing & Administration I feel so lucky and privileged to have become part of the Make A Difference team. Working with such friendly and passionate people makes you feel good and really enjoy coming to work everyday. |
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Louise Hamilton - Customer Service I love working in a good dynamic friendly team at MAD. I most enjoy getting to know clients as individual people and find it satisfying to listen to people and being able to help them. It's the familiarity that's great with a client and also being able to make a client feel important. So, it's really the friendship that comes first for me. Giving gifts that really matter is what matters to me and then hearing the smile in a client's voice. Giving something special and personal is what counts. Friends, family, truth and treating others as you would like to be treated are important to me.
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Zoe Watkins - Customer Service We have a fantastic team who know how to have fun, while giving everything we can to our customers. Yes having fun is very important to me, I believe that you should be able to have fun doing everything in life. Giving the best customer service possible is always my goal and it gives me great pleasure when I am able to resolve a problem for a customer. I also love being able to give back through the programs that we run, especially the ones that can help communities become self-sufficient and break the poverty cycle. |
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Kelly Wilson - Account Manager I am MAD about MAD! As a previous customer myself for over 5 years, I know how great their service is and now feel extremely privileged to be asked to join such a wonderful team of dedicated, compassionate and warm-hearted people. It is a real pleasure to come to work and be greeted by happy and friendly faces every day. We’re always up for a good laugh too! Make A Difference really is all about making a difference. I have learnt so much more in my short time being on this side of the phone as to the prodigious amount of work and commitment this company has to helping those less fortunate then ourselves. It amazes me how a comparatively little from us and our clients can do so much for someone else, somewhere else. As someone who enjoys helping others in both personal and professional surroundings, as well loving a laugh myself, I am finding myself feeling quite at home with this group of ‘MADsters’. |
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Michael Shepherdson - MAD Ambassador Every day we read in the newspapers or watch a news service report on poverty and starvation in third world countries. While we would all like to do something, some people watch and some people turn away thinking this problem is too big for them to be able to do anything to help. I work for Make A Difference Office Supplies because the company philosophy and values are the same as mine in regards to assisting those less fortunate find a sustainable higher quality of life. At the same time Make A Difference involve their clients to play an active part in saving children’s lives without it costing them any more or doing anything differently other than being a client of Make A Difference. Since I was 8 years old I have been involved with community volunteer work starting out as a collector for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal. I have also been involved with Lions, an Area Co-Ordinator for Red Cross Calling as well as being President of my local Community Centre among other things. I believe in giving back to our community and helping those less fortunate. Many people will spend $3- $4 on a cup of coffee each day, if they are clients of Make A Difference Office Supplies, they can still do that and in addition, as our clients they will also be making a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children and their families. This not only gives our clients and their staff a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction, it genuinely makes a difference to those who would otherwise continue to suffer. I believe in what Make A Difference Office Supplies is doing and I am sure you would do too. My colleagues and I look forward to meeting with you so we can further explain the benefits of being a Make A Difference Office Supplies client and how your business can pay no more for your office stationary and furniture requirements but still help a worthwhile project of your choice defeat poverty and famine. |
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Geoffrey Holt - Warehouse I have worked in the industry for 44 years which began in 1966 doing warehouse work, working my way up through purchasing, then into sales and finally into management. Along the way I was also the co-owner of an office supplies business, so I know my envelopes inside out. I enjoy the friendly culture at MAD and really enjoy my work. I also look forward to the free soup and subway days at MAD each week. I get great satisfaction from helping others and enjoy the long term client relationships I have built up over the years. Working for a successful company and industry leading company such as MAD has been important to me. I like to relax on the Golf course and riding down a wave on my boogie board. "The question remains, will he make 50 years in the industry?" |
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Hein Zylstra - Deliveries 1.What do you love about MAD? 2. What do you believe in (work/life)? 3. Why is giving important? 4. What things are you passionate about at MAD? 5. What else do you love about life/work? |
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Stuart Holmes - Deliveries 1.What do you love about MAD? 2. What do you believe in (work/life)? 3. Why is giving important? 4. What things are you passionate about at MAD? 5. What else do you love about life/work? |
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Bernie McKenzie On Thursday 30th September 2010, Neil Mullucks sent a broadcast email with the subject line: Bernie will be back onMonday to tell us about all her adventures, not feeling too well at the moment. Time really does fly when you're having fun! I realised recently that I have been working for almost 30 years " But you don't look a day over 35 I hear you say!" lol thanks! I was an early starter. But seriously, in that time I have worked in a lot of places with a lot of people in a lot of different roles and I can truly say without a doubt, this is the best by far. When I first met Michael Foldi he said I would have no regrets coming on board to work at MAD. He was absolutely right. I feel incredibly lucky and extremely grateful to be here. There is so much more to this company than just selling office supplies. We have incredible, inspirational goals and a mindset that anything is possible. We laugh a lot but we also work extremely hard to honour our commitment to be the best office supplies company in the country and give our clients the best possible experience. At times that can be challenging. But when you are surrounded by a motivated group of people with a great sense of purpose and team ethic you achieve so much more. We are being challenged and encouraged more than ever to learn and extend ourselves through self development and open communication. There is so much to be involved in here that there is never a dull moment. Yet we are also reminded not to compromise on our work life balance and remember that family comes first. We are very supported and that's pretty rare! Our charity projects have put everything into perspective. How awesome is it to be in a workplace where you are inspired to contribute as much as you can to the world. I look forward to the future with great anticipation. I think we have only begun to scratch the surface of what we will achieve. A few people have mentioned that we are like a family and people often see that as being quite cliche. But we really are! I hope this translates to our customers and they feel it in some way. Favourite Saying: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" Maya Angelou |
