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Managing a Global Enterprise: Andrea Jung, CEO of Avon
21 segments available
As part of the View From The Top series, Avon Chair and CEO Andrea Jung discusses the challenges of managing a global enterprise with six million independent sales representatives, her own career choices, and what she has learned from serving on the boards of two very successful but different companies, Apple and GE. She is asked about her own cultural history, and how it shaped her leadership of Avon during its rapid global expansion. One of only 15 female CEOs of a Fortune 500 company, she also talks about what she thinks are promising trends for women in senior leadership roles. (Recorded: Nov. 9, 2009) Related News Article: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/right-decisions-arent-always-easy-says-avons-jung More about the View From The Top speaker series: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/vftt All View From The Top videos: http://www.youtube.com/course?list=EC5C14B375A7F2FEA8
Segments Timeline
A Family Legacy of Business
Andrea Jung shares her personal connection to Stanford and her family's influence on her career. She reflects on her brother's support and the significance of returning to speak at the school, highlighting the importance of family in her journey to becoming CEO of Avon.
">> [Clapping] >> Andrea will be interviewed this evening by Ronak Desai who -- many of you know -- is a second year student, and member of the "View From The Top" committee. Before coming to the GSB, ..."
Ten Years as CEO: A Love Affair
Jung discusses her decade-long tenure as CEO of Avon, emphasizing her passion for the company despite the challenges. She reflects on her father's concerns about her career and the average CEO tenure, illustrating her commitment to her work and the company’s mission.
"of my other favorite people in life, Henry Groswhite, behind my brother, who was -- he actually recruited me from Princeton for my very first job -- was my very first boss. So I think, through the eve..."
The Glass Ceiling Experience
Andrea recounts her experience of being passed over for the CEO position at Avon, a moment that sparked media attention regarding gender and leadership. She shares how this pivotal moment led to other job offers and the advice she received to follow her passion over titles.
"And he sent it to me with this bit question mark like, "Are you coming home after this?? >> [Laughter] >> "What are you doing after this?? And I would say to you, first and foremost, that you know, I ..."
Choosing Passion Over Position
Jung emphasizes the importance of loving one's work over merely seeking a title. She reflects on her decision to stay with Avon during a tough time, valuing the company's mission and her passion for the work over the allure of being a CEO.
"which point, I got actually two other pretty big CEO job offers. So, I was at this inflection point, because there I was, the boss that I was going to work for was 52, so it wasn't like he was 62 or t..."
The Importance of Passion in Work
Andrea Jung stresses that passion is crucial for success in any career. She shares insights on how her love for her work has shaped her journey and encourages the audience to pursue what they are passionate about, rather than settling for a job.
"somebody else would be sitting here on View From The Top. That's the most important thing that -- before we even get into this -- that I want to share with you, that if you don' t love the work -- and..."
Cultural Values and Perseverance
Jung discusses the cultural values instilled by her immigrant parents, emphasizing hard work and perseverance. She recounts her early career experiences in retail and how her family's expectations shaped her approach to challenges and success.
"you before we even started. Okay. >> Once again, thank you so much for joining us. It's a privilege to have you here. Just picking up on that theme of passion a little bit. I've read that your parents..."
Balancing Tradition and Modern Leadership
Andrea reflects on how her traditional upbringing influenced her leadership style. She shares her father's initial skepticism about her success as a CEO and how she has maintained her core values while adapting to the demands of corporate leadership.
"Don't quit. So. >> It sounds like your parents did a great job of sort of combining, you know -- you often get immigrant values when you immigrate to the U.S -- with sort of the American culture blend..."
Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship
In this segment, Jung discusses Avon's historical commitment to empowering women economically, tracing back to the company's founder. She shares how Avon adapted its mission during the 2009 economic crisis to offer opportunities for women facing unemployment. Jung's proactive approach to advertising and messaging during this time illustrates the company's dedication to being a solution for women seeking financial independence.
"Andrea Jung: Well, it's interesting, because they are independent representatives. So I underline that word. I mean -- different than, I guess, other CEOs -- they're not my employees. They don't have ..."
Staying Connected as a CEO
Andrea Jung addresses the challenges of isolation that can come with being a CEO. She shares her strategies for staying connected with her organization, including her involvement on the boards of GE and Apple. Jung emphasizes the importance of receiving honest feedback from her team and the value of maintaining an outside perspective to enhance her leadership effectiveness.
"not just going to be about earnings per share and everything else. That we're actually going to have the business purpose to be a solution to governments and unemployment right now. And we were going ..."
Lessons from Board Membership
Jung reflects on her experiences serving on the boards of GE and Apple, discussing how these roles have enriched her leadership at Avon. She contrasts the different corporate cultures and processes of these companies, highlighting the valuable lessons learned in talent management and strategic planning. This segment underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in leadership.
">> Picking up on your two boards. I'm sure we'd all love to know kind of how you view your leadership style as being different from Steve Jobs' or Jeff Immelt's. In particular, what you think Jeff and..."
Reinventing Leadership: A CEO's Journey
Andrea Jung discusses the necessity of reinventing oneself as a leader, especially after facing challenges. She recounts her experience of hitting a wall in 2005 and the tough love advice she received, which prompted her to critically assess her leadership style and make significant organizational changes to ensure Avon's success.
"But, just as a consumer marketer, I always leave there going, "Oh gosh, I've got to be better when I go back tomorrow. Better look at that bottle one more time. The curvature is not too perfect.? >> [..."
The Discipline of Music: Shaping Leadership
Jung reflects on her early passion for piano and how it instilled a sense of discipline in her life. She connects this discipline to her leadership style, emphasizing the importance of commitment and critical thinking in both music and business.
">> Well, Thank you for your candor. With that, we'd love to open it up to the audience for questions. And there are mics around the sides. >> Thanks for joining us, Andrea. I believe you developed a p..."
Cultural Insights: Avon’s Unique Strategy
Andrea Jung explains how her global experience, particularly in China, has influenced Avon's strategy to focus on small towns rather than large cities. She discusses the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the unique opportunities that arise from local insights, contrasting Avon's approach with that of other tech giants.
"Interestingly -- and Mark can probably say the same thing. We used to have to -- we had not only a metronome on the piano, but also a timer. And this was our first example of discipline. When it was a..."
Soliciting Critical Feedback
Andrea Jung shares her methods for obtaining honest feedback from her team, including mandatory anonymous 360-degree reviews. She stresses the importance of immediate feedback and creating a culture of trust, where team members feel comfortable addressing issues directly.
"And it is interesting to weigh and balance that. So again, even though Avon is different from either of those two, those two couldn't be more different either, but both with enormous strengths. [pause..."
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
In response to a question about the glass ceiling, Jung acknowledges the challenges women face in leadership roles but expresses optimism about the changing landscape. She notes the increasing presence of women in significant corporate positions and the potential for future growth in female leadership.
"Just say, "By the way, today, you seem like you really are kind of doing X, Y, or Z.? It catches me on that, so it's helpful. [pause] >> Hi, Andrea. Thank you for joining us. Andrea Jung: You're welco..."
Staying Innovative in Consumer Products
Jung discusses the importance of innovation in the consumer product space, especially during challenging economic times. She emphasizes the need for companies to invest in innovation and to listen to customer feedback, highlighting Avon's participative brand approach that encourages consumer input.
"point. It takes a long time. And so, in normal times it's hard. But, in the worst economies, they say that that's when disruptive shares gains or losses -- when industries go out -- and companies can ..."
Balancing Work and Family
Andrea Jung shares her personal approach to balancing her responsibilities as a CEO and a mother. She discusses the importance of prioritization, recounting a pivotal moment when she chose to attend her daughter's camp send-off over a White House luncheon, illustrating her commitment to family.
">> I'm a firm believer in a professional mom. I wonder if you could give us information on how you divide your time and make sure you get these disciplines across to your children and do the bang-up j..."
The Humor in Leadership
In this segment, Andrea Jung reflects on the lighter side of leadership, sharing a humorous anecdote about taking a call during her son's birthday party. She illustrates the chaos of balancing corporate responsibilities with family life, emphasizing the need for humor and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. This story underscores the reality of being a leader while managing personal commitments.
"And, you know, that decision was an easy one. Have I missed a game? Yes. Have I missed the most important one? No. Have I missed a meeting at work? Yes. The most important one? No. So for me, it's jus..."
Corporate Social Responsibility at Avon
Andrea Jung discusses Avon's commitment to corporate social responsibility, highlighting the company's philanthropic efforts and the impact of their women's foundation. She argues that meaningful work contributes to a meaningful life, and shares how Avon's initiatives have positively influenced brand equity and revenue. This segment emphasizes the importance of integrating social missions into corporate strategies.
">> [Laughter] Andrea Jung: But you have to have a sense of humor about it. And it's real, and it's life. >> In addition to having a social mission, is there a core to the corporate mission? Avon's ver..."
Navigating Government Relations
In this segment, Andrea Jung addresses the evolving role of government in business, particularly in the context of consumer companies. She discusses the importance of government relations and the need for companies to engage with regulators. Jung highlights the challenges posed by unemployment and economic recovery, emphasizing the necessity for businesses to adapt to a changing regulatory landscape.
"the right thing for community, for society, it trumps and really adds to corporate revenues and profitability. So I'm a big believer in that. >> So you're in a 140 countries. So some democracies, some..."
Career Trajectory and Risk-Taking
Andrea Jung reflects on her career choices, emphasizing the importance of pursuing passion over traditional metrics of success like income and title. She shares her decision to leave high-end retail for Avon, highlighting the potential for growth in alternative distribution channels. This segment encourages aspiring leaders to take calculated risks and seek opportunities that align with their values and vision for the future.
"This is a whole another ball game. But, you know, I think the vehicles, the forums, are expanding. So I'm encouraged on that front. There's a lot of time being spent now listening, which I think. >> L..."