Events Calendar
In This Section
Stocks zigzag after rally as the dollar rises
Job openings remain close to record-lows
Fed officials warn weak recovery won't spur jobs
Work force evolves, falters since 1982
Web sites offer help in finding scholarships
Refinance before low rates rise again
Microsoft to upgrade portal to boost Bing
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
By J. Alex Tarquinio
New York Times
Published on Friday, Nov 28, 2008
The cosmetic company Avon Products traces its roots to the horse-and-buggy days of the late 19th century, when sales representatives sold perfume door to door, often to women who lived far from big department stores.
This American frontier model has translated well to countries like Brazil and China, where large populations are dispersed across a vast countryside. Today, more than two-thirds of Avon's sales are outside the United States.
The direct-selling model — where independent sales representatives do not work directly for Avon — makes it easier to break into new markets, says Avon's chairwoman and chief executive, Andrea Jung. About 5.5 million sales representatives now sell Avon products, be it lip gloss in Shanghai, China, or face powder in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jung, who was born the daughter of Chinese immigrants in Toronto and moved to a suburb of Boston when she was 10, recently discussed how she thinks the company's direct-selling model can improve the lives of women in developing countries and where the next big growth opportunities are for Avon.
Q: Since you became the chief of Avon in 1999, the company has expanded into emerging markets. Why do you think your direct- selling model works so
well in developing countries?
A: It is part of a movement around the world for women to have more economic independence. From her very first order, a representative does not have to pull the money out of her pocket. We send her the products, and she pays us after she sells them.
Q: And the majority of your independent sales representatives are women?
A: Well over 95 percent are women and the men are often in Avon couples. I love those conversations, where the husbands tell me that they quit their jobs because their wife's business was doing so well, so they've joined forces to run the business as a couple.
Q: Do you feel that your experience growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants has influenced your career?
A: It has given me a global vantage point, being the daughter of immigrants from China, who had nothing when they came here. And now I am leading a company. It speaks to something deep in me, the concept that you don't have to start with anything. The direct-sales opportunity allows people to change their lives.
The cosmetic company Avon Products traces its roots to the horse-and-buggy days of the late 19th century, when sales representatives sold perfume door to door, often to women who lived far from big department stores.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
