Cracking Avon's Glass Ceiling

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the history of the cosmetics company, Avon, since the 1970's and looks at how Avon's market niche has slowly eroded due to several factors. It shows how, in the beginning, Avon's niche was the convenience of having an Avon Lady come to a customer's home, showing products while leisurely chatting on the sofa, and how today's world is too fast-paced for this method of sales. It examines some of the challenges now facing the CEO, Andrea Jung, such as competition from super-discount stores.

From the Paper:

"Jung's appointment as CEO may have an effect on whether high-ranking senior management decide to continue their career plans with Avon. Some women may see the appointment of Jung as a sign that Avon has made a decision to allow women to permanently lead the company, and as that is still a rarity in corporate America, it does provide for some enticement to female executives. Male executives may also see the appointment of Jung in the same light and feel that no matter what their qualifications are that they will never have the shot at the top rung simply because they are male, and therefore may choose to take positions with other companies. Hopefully, these perceptions are wrong."

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