And the time has come to say 'Good Bye'

Overall, 3M seems to be a very reputable company from both a consumer and employee standpoint. If a 3M Company was located closer to where I live, I do believe that I would enjoy working for the company. The possibilities with the company appear to be endless; you can go as far as you want to go. This has been proven by the executives who have started at a younger age and worked their way up nearly reaching the top. As for investments, even though I have noted some fluctuation in stock pricing, the trend shows it on a steady climb; therefore, if I were looking to invest in a stable company 3M would be the way to go. Not to mention that with their desire for innovation, you never know what they may come out with next. As for being a customer, I already am, and yes I enjoy being a customer. I do hope that I have encouraged many of you to the idea of using more 3M products. From one satisfied customer to the next, I wish you all the best as we venture out into the world. Good luck in all that you do!

What I know now that I didn't know back then...

Throughout my research and blogging of the company 3M, I have realized they are much bigger than I’d ever imagined. Previously when I thought of 3M, I primarily thought of the personal protection equipment my husband purchases and his favorite sand paper. Little did I know, I personally use many 3M products on a regular basis. The most interesting thing that I have learned about 3M is their ability to remain innovative in their products markets. Who would have thought they would create a fluid used in the preservation of a giant squid, or provide an insulation so light weight and flexible that it could be used in a comfortable blanket or throw. I have always known 3M was a reliable brand, but now I know that I am a loyal 3M customer who seeks out their products over other brands on a regular basis.

Stock Prices Back on the Rise

3M's stock price is back on the rise after being on a steady decline since November 24th. Today the stock price rose $2.07 putting it back up to $86.05. As we move into the Christmas season, hopefully it will continue to increase instead of being on the downfall.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-stockquote

Chilly winter nights are almost upon us...

As the chilly nights of winter approach, it is important to prepare for keeping yourself warm and your home shielded from the cold breeze. 3M has several products that are designed to do just that, keep you warm. 3M has teamed up with Ellery Homestyles to design a blanket/throw that is sure to keep your body nice and toasty. Using the Thinsulate technology provided by 3M Ellery Homestyles has created the ComfortTech blankets and throws. This product is schedule for debut in December at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and would be a great Christmas gift idea. The King size blanket will retail at $89.00, but the 50"X70" throw will only be $39.99. I am interested to learn more of this product and will consider purchasing one when they are available. Please see the 3M article for more information: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/3m/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&ndmConfigId=1000940&newsId=20100910006084&newsLang=en&vnsId=Chill-Nippy-Nights-Cozy-Blankets-Throws

Christmas Time is Right Around the Corner

With Christmas right around the corner, companies everywhere are preparing for sales and shopping and....gift wrapping. 3M is a producer of many products that are sought after during the holiday season; one of these products is Scotch tape. The use of tape in most gift wrapping projects is essential. 3M's brand, Scotch, has a portion of their webpage dedicated just for gift wrapping ideas and tips. One featured tip that is posted on the webpage is how to wrap a cylinder shaped gift. Anyone who has ever tried to wrap gift of this shape knows just how difficult it may be. If you would like to see how it's done, please use this link for a PDF version of the instructions: http://www.scotchbrand.com/3MContentRetrievalAPI/BlobServlet?locale=en_WW&lmd=1272350539000&assetId=1258566269519&assetType=MMM_Image&blobAttribute=ImageFile

In addition to tips like the one listed above, Scotch brand has many innovative taping and adhesive products that are sure to assist in any of your taping needs, including shipping, storing, scrap booking, crafting, and as many of us will soon find out...gift wrapping.

Scotch website: http://www.scotchbrand.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ScotchBrand/Scotch/

Scandals...Not in the Big Picture

For the most part, 3M appears to have been involved with very few scandals. They only one I could find definitive information on took place nearly 30 years ago. Yes, 3M was involved with one of the most well known scandals of its time...The Watergate Scandal and Investigations. 3M was cited as giving the Nixon group a $30,000 donation. According to Time Magazine, 3M did not have any self-interest in supporting the political group by giving them the donation. If there was not any underlying goal, then why would they do it. Chairman William McKnight did not feel as if they were doing any thing different than what other organizations was doing. Apparently, 3M decided if everyone else was doing it, why not us.

This information was taken from the article "Scandals: A Record of Corporate Corruption" published in Time Magazine on Feb. 23, 1976. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,918067-1,00.html

Today's Employees Lead to Tomorrow's Success

3M seeks out talent of all types to fill positions at their many manufacturing facilities, research facilities, and corporate offices. The positions offered at 3M vary from business to marketing to scientific research and engineering. In this case there is really something for everyone. All in all 3M has over 75,000 employees worldwide, all striving to achieve greatness and be the best that they can be. They recruit college graduates and professionals from many accredited universities and other competing business. Over the years, 3M has been awarded and recognized for their employee loyalty and for being an exemplary company to work for. Below is a list of the recognitions 3M has received:

• In 2010, for the fifth year running, Fortune magazine listed 3M in its "Top 20 Most Admired Companies."
• 3M is among America's favorites companies according to the results of the ninth-annual Harris Interactive Reputation Quotient Survey. 3M ranked no. 4 on the list.
• In 2009, for the fifth year running, 3M received the ENERGY STAR "Sustained Excellence in Energy Management Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Listed at #2 in its industry sector in Newsweek Magazine's Green Rankings list.
• In 2010, 3M ranked no. 3 by Chief Executive magazine in "The Top 20 Best Companies for Leaders."
• Fortune magazine (2009) listed 3M in the "100 Top MBA Employers."
• 3M was #2 on Selling Power magazine’s "Best Companies to Sell For" in manufacturing for the past five years.
• 3M appeared in R&D Magazine's top 10 list of "The World's Best R&D Companies."
• The National Black MBA Association Twin Cities Chapter named 3M as its Corporate Partner of The Year.
• 100% rating award for Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign.
• 3M was highlighted for its best practices in Leadership Assessment, Succession and Development by the Society of Human Resource Management.
• 3M was recognized as a Best Diversity Company by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine and website in 2009.
• Hay Group and Bloomberg Business Week ranked 3M third in “Best Companies for Leadership 2009.”

3M's career website offers tutorials from other 3M employees, as well as, a wealth of information regarding the company's many diverse career areas, benefits & compensation, and tips on the application process. The layout of their career page is inviting and allows you to learn a good deal about the company all on one page.

Information was found on 3M's career webpage: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/careers/home/