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There is only one portrait in Avon's office. This picture is of David McConnell, Avon's founding father. David was a door-to-door salesman in the 1880's selling sets of encyclopedias. He was ambitious and always trying to find new ways to reach his sales goals, and one Christmas had a "perfect idea". He offered perfume as a gift with purchase for anyone who bought the encyclopedias. David found that many of the women were more interested in the perfume rather than the books. Based on his success that winter selling with the use of perfumes, he decided to take a chance and reinvent himself. David started the California Perfume Company, which later expanded and developed into Avon. Here is the portrait of David McConnell, which hangs in Avon's boardroom, behind the CEO's(Andrea Jung)chair. Avon sees him always looking over their shoulder at meetings, watching his company grow and grow--grow into an $11 billion company!
When Andrea entered the room, it was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. She came in with a big smile and asked us to introduce ourselves. After we went around the room, she began her introduction. Andrea graduated with an English major and Economics minor. She hoped to enter the Peace Corps after school, but when that didn't work out, she found a job at a department store. In 1993, a friend called her and told her about an opportunity at Avon. She wasn't really interested in working for Avon, but went to the interview with an open mind.
At her interview, Andrea said she was so impressed by two things:
1. the vision of the company..."to be the company that best understands and satisfies the product, service, and self-fulfillment needs of women—globally."
and 2. the amount of opportunity there was for men and women at Avon. The CEO who was interviewing Andrea had a picture hanging in his office. The picture is called, "The Evolution of Leadership". It had a pictures of an animal paw print, next to a human foot print, next to a man's business shoe print, followed by a woman's heel print. This print really stood out to Andrea as she saw how Avon empowered and opened doors for women. She commented on this at her first interview, and 11 years later, when she was asked to be the CEO, was given this print to hang in her office.
Andrea also briefed us about her work while at Avon. Her main mission was to change the image of Avon. She admitted that it was a hard task and was forced to throw out 60-70% of Avon's existing line. Based on her work and the work of the company since 1993, Avon moved from a $3.5 billion company to an $11 billion one! Their strategic focus was to get ahead of the competition. Instead of asking, what are our competitors doing?, they asked, what would our competitors do I they knew we were doing this?
Andrea was so kind to share some of her own wisdom to help us into and through our business careers. Some of the key things she said were..."Internships are the best way to learn what you love." "Passion is the key to success." "Follow your compass, not your clock." "Fire yourself on Friday nights and rehire yourself on Monday morning." "Make choices and never miss the most important." "Make a decision and don't look back."
Andrea closed our talk with her most proud moment while working for Avon these past 20 years. She said the fact that her company improves women's health, safety, and rights is the most rewarding feeling. In order to continue this, she is anxious to take Avon into India, South Africa, and the Mid East. These are the areas that Avon has the most potential because of the women's attraction to beauty and their own developing careers.
After our time with Andrea, I took some time to send her a personal email mentioning how much I enjoyed her quote, "Follow your compass, not your clock". As I about it, I loved the wisdom behind it. Andrea was so humble and sent me a message back immediately. How awesome is that? The CEO who even connects with her interns!
Here is a picture of Andrea and all the mark. interns and then Andrea and the mark. mentors!
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