Case Study: Office Depot achieves doubled enrollments and a 93% reduction in enrollment costs with GuideSpark

Office Depot Innovates Open Enrollment Communications

Office Depot, a global retail company of about 85,000 employees, faced a major communications challenge after its 2014 merger with Office Max: two distinct employee groups with different benefits programs, enrollment processes and communication preferences needed clear, timely benefits information. The company’s legacy passive enrollment approach and lengthy printed materials left many new hires unfamiliar with the process and at risk from vendor changes taking effect in the new plan year.

Working with GuideSpark, Office Depot shifted to an active enrollment model using targeted multimedia and video communications—replacing 28‑page packets with postcards linking to portal videos and converting orientation materials into concise online content. The change doubled new‑hire enrollments, cut printing and fulfillment costs per new hire by 93%, and reduced HR calls about enrollment by 50%, while delivering consistent messages across the combined workforce.

Office Depot

Cindy Mayo

Sr. Benefits Consultant