Avon
Building The World's Premier Company For Women
1. Edition June 2006
272 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Short Description
In this first-ever authorized look at an American icon, author Laura Klepacki offers an in-depth look at how Avon grew from a small business selling books door-to-door into one of the world's leading cosmetics companies. Through exclusive interviews with company executives, both past and present, as well as analysts and other experts in the beauty and cosmetics industry, Klepacki reveals how Avon built a global empire by addressing the needs and customs of women around the world, as well as how it has managed to thrive in all economies, even in tough times. Readers will also discover how this cosmetics powerhouse has maintained and increased its market share through new product introductions, the use of technology, appealing to different customers (including men and teens), rewarding its best performers, and giving back to society with financial support for such causes as domestic violence and breast cancer.
A Winning Formula for Selling to Women Around the World
Avon has come a long way since handing out its first perfume sample back in 1886. The company, long famous for ringing customer doorbells, is now the world's largest direct sales organization-with almost five million representatives in more than 140 countries.
AVON: Building the World's Premier Company for Women is the first book ever to show how this cosmetics juggernaut achieved such incredible success, while revealing secrets any business can use to effectively market products of all kinds-especially to women.
Through this entertaining journey, you'll not only learn the colorful Avon story, but also see how every company, big or small, can benefit from its unique approach to sales and product development.
"By providing women with an unlimited opportunity for career success, Avon harnessed the power of a committed sales force to win customers and grow the business. The company's success story is testimony to the importance of focusing on your core business while recognizing the changes taking place with your customers and the environment."
-Mary Sammons, President and CEO, Rite Aid Corporation
"The book is an excellent primer on how to successfully make alternative forms of distribution work."
-Allen Burke, Director of Merchandising, QVC, Inc.
"The author's incisive revelations . . . capture the extraordinary personalities and entrepreneurial strategies of one of America's most spellbinding success stories."
-Annette Green, President Emeritus, The Fragrance Foundation