Leveraging Diversity for Collaboration, Innovation and Integration
Sodexo’s Fifth Professional Development Conference
By Kerry Noone, Marketing Communications Specialist

Subarna Malakar, Director of Employee Network Groups

In March, Sodexo hosted the fifth annual Professional Development Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. This year’s conference focus was “Leveraging Diversity for Collaboration, Innovation and Integration.” Participants were exposed to a variety of speakers and workshops provided to enhance their personal and professional development. The conference, which was attended by more than 430 people, was a huge success according to Subarna Malakar, Sodexo’s Director of Employee Network Groups. “Not only did we have a record attendance, the conference gave us an opportunity to demonstrate that Sodexo is not only a leader in the industry, but also a leader in diversity and inclusion. Participants were able to network with each other, executive leadership and clients. This conference clearly demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the development of all of our people,” said Malakar. Read more »

Do You Want Fries with That?
By Tami Carter-McNulty, Senior Recruiter

More and more, children and adults are turning to healthier alternatives when it comes to eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Saying “no” to fries and “yes” to fruits and vegetables is becoming more of a norm. Sodexo is helping make that difference in the lives of many children and within the communities we serve. Read more »

It’s Not Just a Tag Line, it’s a Service Culture
By Mindi Gale and Jan Stoberl, Senior Recruiters for Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition Group

On occasion, we all complain about how tough it is to make it in this world but, we manage and we are still able to sit down for three meals a day. For some individuals or families, this is not the case and they cannot afford to meet their most basic needs for food. Hunger affects more than 35 million people in the United States.  The Sodexo Foundation supports innovative programs to help contribute to a hunger-free nation.  In April, during our annual Sodexo Servathon, Sodexo employees are once again joining forces to raise money, donate food and services, and serve meals in their local communities.  Projects vary from city to city, and include canned food drives, donations of surplus food, cleaning food banks, fundraisers, and free training on food safety for food banks and homeless shelters. Read more »

Sodexo Receives Accolades as Top Employer
By Jennifer Heth & Suzanne Thompson, Senior Recruiters for Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition Group

As a service company, recruiting and hiring the best talent is a key element of Sodexo’s strategy for success. Sodexo serves 50 million customers in 80 different countries, including ten million people a day in North America alone. We have received more than 25 awards as a top employer, including eight awards in 2008. In commenting on this recognition, Arie Ball, Sodexo’s VP for Sourcing and Talent Acquisition, noted, “This a testament as to what can be achieved when a company recognizes the competitive advantage of talent and aligns its resources in such a way as to ensure our ability to hire the best.”

Top Employer of Interns and Entry-Level Employees
CollegeGrad.com, the number one entry-level job site, has recognized Sodexo as a Top Entry-Level Employer and a Top Employer of Interns for 2008. These honors recognize the efforts that Sodexo has put into attracting both current college students and recent graduates. Sodexo is honored to receive these prestigious awards from CollegeGrad.com and hopes that the recognition will help attract future top college talent to the organization. Read more »

Sodexo’s Mentoring Initiatives:
Programs to Suit Every Employee
By Amy Brooks, Recruitment Manager, Environmental Services

When it comes to mentoring, Sodexo has something to suit everyone. According to Jodi Davidson, Sodexo’s Director, Diversity Initiatives, Sodexo has a variety of mentoring programs that are designed to meet the needs of different employee stakeholders in the organization. “We have a formal program called IMPACT, which is designed to be cross-divisional and cross-cultural in nature; Peer 2 Peer, our employee network group mentoring programs; and BRIDGE, which is available on a regional basis within our business lines,” Davidson noted. Read more »