1) The document discusses the CEO's perspective on shifting Limited Brands' strategy from defense to offense as the economy and consumer optimism have improved.
2) Key initiatives discussed include reducing promotional activity and price discounts, focusing on new growth ideas from an in-house creative team, and exploring opportunities with third-party brands.
3) Going forward, the CEO aims to maintain financial strength while aggressively pursuing new strategic growth concepts and fresh ideas across the company's brands.
How to ensure your brand delivers growth for your businessB2B Marketing
What gets measured, gets managed or so the cliché goes. The implication is clear. Measuring how your brand delivers growth for your business is essential if it is to be managed with any conviction.
In our session we will focus on the benefits of a clear and competitive brand positioning. Through case studies and exercises we'll illustrate the impact your brand positioning should make on your overall business performance. How it brings an edge to your marketing and sales activity and how it can motivate and inspire your employees.
We will reveal ways to avoid the pitfalls many brands fall into and conclude with best practice principles for making your brand count for your business:
What you will take away from this session:
• Tips on how to create a great brand positioning
• Examples of stand out positioning across sectors
• Ways to use your positioning to inspire people inside your business
• 5 practical steps to assess the strength of your current positioning
This presentation goes through the questions of what is design and marketing and how do the relate? It discusses how creativity is used for business promotion, what areas of business can benefit from design creativity and how different businesses utilize creative marketing. Lastly it ends with some AXIS visual samples.
How to ensure your brand delivers growth for your businessB2B Marketing
What gets measured, gets managed or so the cliché goes. The implication is clear. Measuring how your brand delivers growth for your business is essential if it is to be managed with any conviction.
In our session we will focus on the benefits of a clear and competitive brand positioning. Through case studies and exercises we'll illustrate the impact your brand positioning should make on your overall business performance. How it brings an edge to your marketing and sales activity and how it can motivate and inspire your employees.
We will reveal ways to avoid the pitfalls many brands fall into and conclude with best practice principles for making your brand count for your business:
What you will take away from this session:
• Tips on how to create a great brand positioning
• Examples of stand out positioning across sectors
• Ways to use your positioning to inspire people inside your business
• 5 practical steps to assess the strength of your current positioning
This presentation goes through the questions of what is design and marketing and how do the relate? It discusses how creativity is used for business promotion, what areas of business can benefit from design creativity and how different businesses utilize creative marketing. Lastly it ends with some AXIS visual samples.
The War for Talent is a tough one to win, but it's more difficult if you have a weak employer brand. Find out how important making an emotional connection to prospective candidates can really shape your recruitment strategy and improve your quality of hire.
Is Personal Branding Relevant for Life Sciences professionnals ?Zaki Sellam
In Life Sciences, mostly within Pharma industry there is a permanent war for talents. So working on its personal branding becomes more and more critical.
Invention and innovation are totally different. To redefine a category, the innovation needs a brutal assessment of what business you are currently in, your target customer, studying the business from the outside-in to develop a sophisticated 6Ps business model, checking regulatory conditions, and yielding a strong leadership team to frame the financial and strategic objectives of the business and rally the magnetic core inside the firm that will draw together the company. Phew.
Why should your business exist? That is the core question to answer for any firm. The presentation shows how you find great answers to this question.
Presentation held at the Startup Camp Switzerland 2012, February 18th, Basel
If the notion of brand seems a bit abstract to you, this book by https://www.andcards.com/ will fill all the knowledge gaps. You will learn the definition of brand, study examples of bad and good brand positioning and get the right directions to build a powerful brand for your business, be it a coworking space or any other industry.
The War for Talent is a tough one to win, but it's more difficult if you have a weak employer brand. Find out how important making an emotional connection to prospective candidates can really shape your recruitment strategy and improve your quality of hire.
Is Personal Branding Relevant for Life Sciences professionnals ?Zaki Sellam
In Life Sciences, mostly within Pharma industry there is a permanent war for talents. So working on its personal branding becomes more and more critical.
Invention and innovation are totally different. To redefine a category, the innovation needs a brutal assessment of what business you are currently in, your target customer, studying the business from the outside-in to develop a sophisticated 6Ps business model, checking regulatory conditions, and yielding a strong leadership team to frame the financial and strategic objectives of the business and rally the magnetic core inside the firm that will draw together the company. Phew.
Why should your business exist? That is the core question to answer for any firm. The presentation shows how you find great answers to this question.
Presentation held at the Startup Camp Switzerland 2012, February 18th, Basel
If the notion of brand seems a bit abstract to you, this book by https://www.andcards.com/ will fill all the knowledge gaps. You will learn the definition of brand, study examples of bad and good brand positioning and get the right directions to build a powerful brand for your business, be it a coworking space or any other industry.
We're a different kind of innovation firm.
Motiv is a premier innovation strategy consulting firm led by thought leader Jeneanne Rae. Our clients love working with us because we're more collaborative, joyful, and passionate than the typical consulting firm. While we're deadly serious about results, we like to create meaningful and energizing partnerships with our clients.
Harnessing the power of employee wisdom to build successful brands in Asia Pacific. Championing Asia-relevant product and services, FutureBrand has pioneered new branding practices including reinventing traditional Brand Strategy and Identity by incorporating customer co-creation, developing an Employer of Choice Branding program to help business win the war for talent and raising the bar on brand ROI with a sophisticated Brand Effectiveness program.
where can I find a legit pi merchant onlineDOT TECH
Yes. This is very easy what you need is a recommendation from someone who has successfully traded pi coins before with a merchant.
Who is a pi merchant?
A pi merchant is someone who buys pi network coins and resell them to Investors looking forward to hold thousands of pi coins before the open mainnet.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade with
@Pi_vendor_247
how to sell pi coins in South Korea profitably.DOT TECH
Yes. You can sell your pi network coins in South Korea or any other country, by finding a verified pi merchant
What is a verified pi merchant?
Since pi network is not launched yet on any exchange, the only way you can sell pi coins is by selling to a verified pi merchant, and this is because pi network is not launched yet on any exchange and no pre-sale or ico offerings Is done on pi.
Since there is no pre-sale, the only way exchanges can get pi is by buying from miners. So a pi merchant facilitates these transactions by acting as a bridge for both transactions.
How can i find a pi vendor/merchant?
Well for those who haven't traded with a pi merchant or who don't already have one. I will leave the telegram id of my personal pi merchant who i trade pi with.
Tele gram: @Pi_vendor_247
#pi #sell #nigeria #pinetwork #picoins #sellpi #Nigerian #tradepi #pinetworkcoins #sellmypi
How to get verified on Coinbase Account?_.docxBuy bitget
t's important to note that buying verified Coinbase accounts is not recommended and may violate Coinbase's terms of service. Instead of searching to "buy verified Coinbase accounts," follow the proper steps to verify your own account to ensure compliance and security.
how to sell pi coins in all Africa Countries.DOT TECH
Yes. You can sell your pi network for other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, usdt , Ethereum and other currencies And this is done easily with the help from a pi merchant.
What is a pi merchant ?
Since pi is not launched yet in any exchange. The only way you can sell right now is through merchants.
A verified Pi merchant is someone who buys pi network coins from miners and resell them to investors looking forward to hold massive quantities of pi coins before mainnet launch in 2026.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade with.
@Pi_vendor_247
when will pi network coin be available on crypto exchange.DOT TECH
There is no set date for when Pi coins will enter the market.
However, the developers are working hard to get them released as soon as possible.
Once they are available, users will be able to exchange other cryptocurrencies for Pi coins on designated exchanges.
But for now the only way to sell your pi coins is through verified pi vendor.
Here is the telegram contact of my personal pi vendor
@Pi_vendor_247
how to sell pi coins on Bitmart crypto exchangeDOT TECH
Yes. Pi network coins can be exchanged but not on bitmart exchange. Because pi network is still in the enclosed mainnet. The only way pioneers are able to trade pi coins is by reselling the pi coins to pi verified merchants.
A verified merchant is someone who buys pi network coins and resell it to exchanges looking forward to hold till mainnet launch.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade with.
@Pi_vendor_247
how to sell pi coins effectively (from 50 - 100k pi)DOT TECH
Anywhere in the world, including Africa, America, and Europe, you can sell Pi Network Coins online and receive cash through online payment options.
Pi has not yet been launched on any exchange because we are currently using the confined Mainnet. The planned launch date for Pi is June 28, 2026.
Reselling to investors who want to hold until the mainnet launch in 2026 is currently the sole way to sell.
Consequently, right now. All you need to do is select the right pi network provider.
Who is a pi merchant?
An individual who buys coins from miners on the pi network and resells them to investors hoping to hang onto them until the mainnet is launched is known as a pi merchant.
debuts.
I'll provide you the Telegram username
@Pi_vendor_247
Currently pi network is not tradable on binance or any other exchange because we are still in the enclosed mainnet.
Right now the only way to sell pi coins is by trading with a verified merchant.
What is a pi merchant?
A pi merchant is someone verified by pi network team and allowed to barter pi coins for goods and services.
Since pi network is not doing any pre-sale The only way exchanges like binance/huobi or crypto whales can get pi is by buying from miners. And a merchant stands in between the exchanges and the miners.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant. I and my friends has traded more than 6000pi coins successfully
Tele-gram
@Pi_vendor_247
what is the best method to sell pi coins in 2024DOT TECH
The best way to sell your pi coins safely is trading with an exchange..but since pi is not launched in any exchange, and second option is through a VERIFIED pi merchant.
Who is a pi merchant?
A pi merchant is someone who buys pi coins from miners and pioneers and resell them to Investors looking forward to hold massive amounts before mainnet launch in 2026.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade pi coins with.
@Pi_vendor_247
what is the future of Pi Network currency.DOT TECH
The future of the Pi cryptocurrency is uncertain, and its success will depend on several factors. Pi is a relatively new cryptocurrency that aims to be user-friendly and accessible to a wide audience. Here are a few key considerations for its future:
Message: @Pi_vendor_247 on telegram if u want to sell PI COINS.
1. Mainnet Launch: As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, Pi was still in the testnet phase. Its success will depend on a successful transition to a mainnet, where actual transactions can take place.
2. User Adoption: Pi's success will be closely tied to user adoption. The more users who join the network and actively participate, the stronger the ecosystem can become.
3. Utility and Use Cases: For a cryptocurrency to thrive, it must offer utility and practical use cases. The Pi team has talked about various applications, including peer-to-peer transactions, smart contracts, and more. The development and implementation of these features will be essential.
4. Regulatory Environment: The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is evolving globally. How Pi navigates and complies with regulations in various jurisdictions will significantly impact its future.
5. Technology Development: The Pi network must continue to develop and improve its technology, security, and scalability to compete with established cryptocurrencies.
6. Community Engagement: The Pi community plays a critical role in its future. Engaged users can help build trust and grow the network.
7. Monetization and Sustainability: The Pi team's monetization strategy, such as fees, partnerships, or other revenue sources, will affect its long-term sustainability.
It's essential to approach Pi or any new cryptocurrency with caution and conduct due diligence. Cryptocurrency investments involve risks, and potential rewards can be uncertain. The success and future of Pi will depend on the collective efforts of its team, community, and the broader cryptocurrency market dynamics. It's advisable to stay updated on Pi's development and follow any updates from the official Pi Network website or announcements from the team.
The secret way to sell pi coins effortlessly.DOT TECH
Well as we all know pi isn't launched yet. But you can still sell your pi coins effortlessly because some whales in China are interested in holding massive pi coins. And they are willing to pay good money for it. If you are interested in selling I will leave a contact for you. Just telegram this number below. I sold about 3000 pi coins to him and he paid me immediately.
Telegram: @Pi_vendor_247
BYD SWOT Analysis and In-Depth Insights 2024.pptxmikemetalprod
Indepth analysis of the BYD 2024
BYD (Build Your Dreams) is a Chinese automaker and battery manufacturer that has snowballed over the past two decades to become a significant player in electric vehicles and global clean energy technology.
This SWOT analysis examines BYD's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as it competes in the fast-changing automotive and energy storage industries.
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Shenzhen, BYD started as a battery company before expanding into automobiles in the early 2000s.
Initially manufacturing gasoline-powered vehicles, BYD focused on plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, leveraging its expertise in battery technology.
Today, BYD is the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, delivering over 1.2 million electric cars globally. The company also produces electric buses, trucks, forklifts, and rail transit.
On the energy side, BYD is a major supplier of rechargeable batteries for cell phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems.
Poonawalla Fincorp and IndusInd Bank Introduce New Co-Branded Credit Cardnickysharmasucks
The unveiling of the IndusInd Bank Poonawalla Fincorp eLITE RuPay Platinum Credit Card marks a notable milestone in the Indian financial landscape, showcasing a successful partnership between two leading institutions, Poonawalla Fincorp and IndusInd Bank. This co-branded credit card not only offers users a plethora of benefits but also reflects a commitment to innovation and adaptation. With a focus on providing value-driven and customer-centric solutions, this launch represents more than just a new product—it signifies a step towards redefining the banking experience for millions. Promising convenience, rewards, and a touch of luxury in everyday financial transactions, this collaboration aims to cater to the evolving needs of customers and set new standards in the industry.
Poonawalla Fincorp and IndusInd Bank Introduce New Co-Branded Credit Card
limited brands annual report_2003_letter
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Dear Partner:
Over the past few years, I’ve said While we’ve been engaged in this work, the 3
repeatedly that it was not a time to economy has been improving. I see signs of
be aggressive or take great risks. The optimism and consumer interest at virtually
economy didn’t suggest it, nor did the every level and across all categories. I wish I
world situation. The times suggested could take credit for the timing of our brand
a conservative approach to business. repositioning and emerging consumer optimism.
An approach that, frankly, is not my Together, they’ve reinforced my belief that it’s
nature. But one that was clearly the time for us to shift the business from defense
right thing, the prudent thing to do. to offense.
The world was risky. The economy was tough. We are positioned to do it.
Our brands were in transformation.
Our financial position is the healthiest in our
Still, there was much to be done. Prudent didn’t history. Our careful, prudent financial manage-
mean docile. We used the time to aggressively ment has left us with the strongest balance sheet
sort our portfolio and financially restructure in specialty retailing, with over $3 billion in cash
our business through spins, splits, sell-offs and at fiscal year-end. Subsequent to the end of our
store closings (over 1,700 in the past eight years). fiscal year, we increased our dividend by 20%
Those actions left us with an excellent cash and repurchased $1 billion of our stock. These
position, free to pursue opportunities and rigor- actions continue our strategy of enhancing
ously build the remaining brands. Through it shareholder value and allow us to return capital
all, we stayed focused on our principle goal: to our investors, while maintaining the flexibility
Increased shareholder value through a family to use our strong financial position to aggress-
of the world’s best fashion brands. It’s what we ively pursue any significant emerging growth
said we’d do. It’s exactly what we’re doing. opportunities inside or outside our portfolio.
Our single-minded focus on brand building We remain as focused as ever on our strategic
has dramatically altered the way we look at agenda of brands, talent and capability. And we
everything in our businesses and, concurrently, are making progress across all three. Still, with
the Center’s role in brand planning and every major initiative, I ask myself the same
execution. Everything. We’ve brought brand question: “Is the light worth the candle?” That is,
disciplines to all parts of the enterprise, are the potential rewards commensurate with the
reconsidered the way we open stores and effort? Across a number of significant efforts this
markets, significantly increased our interest year, the light was very bright indeed.
in, and participation with, third party partners,
even rethought the basic notion of where ideas
come from. All dramatically altered.
6. I’ve thought for some time that the organ-
Limited Brands 2003 Annual Report
4
ization needed a Center-based, creatively
oriented team of specialists that could work
on new strategic ideas and initiatives. Ideas
that could grow the business now and have
legs long into the future. I’ve been a fan of
Disney’s Imagineering group in the past, and
I believe that best talent positioned against
substantial opportunities will inevitability
produce a positive outcome.
It’s proving to be true.
Over the past two years, our Center-based
creative team has developed some remarkable
ideas and product extensions. Ones that are
already being offered in our stores.
This is outside our experience, or that of most
specialty brands. Traditionally, individual
brands, including ours, develop their own
products. And are limited by their resource
base. Clearly, there was an opportunity to
apply more talent on a more consistent basis.
And that’s what the Center creative team
is doing. Marie Holman-Rao’s design group
has led strategic initiatives that already have
hundreds of millions of dollars in sales
potential. They are brand right, aspirational
extensions that have proven themselves in the
marketplace. I want to highlight three from
the past year.
7. 5
“Marie Holman-Rao’s design group has led
strategic initiatives that already have hundreds
of millions of dollars in sales potential.”
8.
9. The first is Victoria’s Secret’s Pink. Let me 7
explain how we got to it: Some time ago, I
could see that there was clear white space for
a younger, more fun-oriented casual lingerie
line at Victoria’s Secret. A way to introduce
people to the brand, if you will. I asked Marie
and her design team to develop a label and
a product line as a skunk works. Her answer,
developed in remarkably short fashion, was
Pink, which was introduced last fall in a
number of Victoria’s Secret stores, on the
website and in a few catalogues.
The results are very encouraging and Pink is
rolling to an even larger number of stores this
spring. We anticipate that by fall ‘04, Pink will
be in all Victoria’s Secret stores and play a
prominent role in the Direct business. It not
only has proven to be an excellent way to get
younger customers to experience the brand,
it’s become a fun add-on purchase for our
more traditional customer base, and a way
to keep the business young. Something I’m
determined to do across the board.
10. In its first six months, The Editor sold well over
one million units.
Express Design Studio was also an outgrowth
Limited Brands 2003 Annual Report
8
of the Center creative team. I’ve believed for
some time that the Express customer needed
wear-to-work clothing that fit her lifestyle.
The Express Design Studio clearly fits the
bill. Working in collaboration with talented
designers, the Center creative team developed
a wear-to-work clothing assortment with
great quality and sophistication.
One pant, The Editor, has been particularly
successful. In its first six months, it sold
well over one million units with virtually no
markdowns. Remarkable. Probably the most
successful pant in Express’ history. We are
working hard to develop a second,
third and fourth pant to complement
The Editor, and we are placing special
emphasis on the fit. It’s working. Now
repeat customers come into Express and
buy more Editor pants without even trying
them on. That’s predictive reliability, an
important component of any brand.
11.
12.
13. The creative team also turned its talents to To ensure success, we need multiple ideas, 11
the development of a new line of candles for coming from multiple places. The pace of our
Bath & Body Works and The White Barn brands requires more curiosity, more big ideas.
Candle Company. Once The New York Times And those ideas need to be more rapidly
wrote about what we’d been calling “The developed and proved.
World’s Best Candle,” there was no stopping
It is what best brands and companies do.
it, and sales went through the roof. It even
became a best seller at Henri Bendel, and it
has enormous potential. There are 12 scents
now, but we’ll have 24 by May. We will
develop complementary hand soaps, room
sprays, any number of extensions. It energizes
the brand, and it’s a very big deal.
These are but three examples of Center-led
new growth developmental initiatives across
marketing, product design, merchandising,
display and store design. I believe that we can,
and must, develop a steady stream of new
strategic ideas that can live for five to ten
years or longer, with potential for hundreds
of millions of dollars in sales growth. I’m
confident that the three mentioned here fit
that criteria, and I’m determined to develop
and constantly test three to four new
strategic growth concepts annually as
a basic activity in the enterprise.
It just has to be.
We are in the business of “new.”
Customers want a continuous stream
of fresh ideas. And they, not us, drive our
pace of change. We have to give the customer
what she wants today, and what she’s going
to want tomorrow.
14. Which gets me to the next subject: Price The semi-annual sales, like all Victoria’s
Limited Brands 2003 Annual Report
12
promotion. Secret marketing, are brand building events.
Ones that customers anticipate and value.
To be completely candid, I was frustrated by And they drive a dramatic amount of volume
the level of promotion that was being done through two three-week periods annually.
in our brands, particularly in our apparel They also bring new customers to the brand
businesses. Cheap tricks and gimmicks were who, once introduced, become regulars.
not only eroding our brand positions, but
habituating a customer base that only shopped I was convinced that the Victoria’s Secret
on sale. In our fashion businesses, there was end of season sale was the right model. And
a deal on virtually everything, every week. I was determined that all of our brands could
I was determined that it would stop. replicate it in their own way. Which is exactly
what we did.
Which is exactly what we did.
Now, Express and Limited Stores have
Last fall. Cold turkey. One fell swoop. planned sales that allow them to clear
inventory early and get to the next season
No more tricks, no more “fast cash,” no more
promptly. These sales have been successful,
super Tuesdays, no constant storewide
and the businesses, after a period of adjust-
promotions. That stuff doesn’t build brands.
ment, have begun to see value in real pricing
It erodes them. It had to stop. It has.
and less promotion. It’s a “sale” strategy that
works at Victoria’s Secret, works at Bath &
We’ve replaced it with a model that has been
Body Works, and now works at Express and
working very successfully at Victoria’s Secret
Limited Stores.
over the last several years, the end of season
sale. Victoria’s Secret semi-annual sales are
The days of constant sale and discount
a major brand weapon, in what is an extra-
promotions are over. They won’t be back.
ordinarily effective brand marketing arsenal
that includes powerful television advertising,
supermodels and the world’s most famous
fashion show.
15. 13
“No more tricks, no more ‘fast cash,’ no more
super Tuesdays, no constant storewide
promotions. That stuff doesn’t build brands.
It erodes them. It had to stop. It has.”
16.
17.
18. Our stores are one of our most important Fresh thinking, new techniques. And it’s only
Limited Brands 2003 Annual Report
16
brand assets, and we continue to refresh and the beginning.
remodel our fleet. We focus on best stores
I also think we’re being more agile with our
and best markets, our top 160, because that’s
distribution. I said earlier that we’ve tested
where the money is.
“The World’s Best Candle” at Henri Bendel.
In the past, I was disappointed in the way we We’ve used Victoria’s Secret products as gifts
did store openings. The store opening wasn’t with purchase at Limited. And we’re selling
an event to anyone except maybe the store aura science very well at Victoria’s Secret.
manager. That’s not the case anymore. You can do that when you have strong brands
and strong products. They cross lines and
Today, we distort marketing efforts, public make stores, and brands, more interesting,
relations efforts, merchandising efforts, while growing profits.
management efforts and dollars to open our
stores with major impact. We want to get them We continue to search for new ideas no
to third or fourth year volume levels in year matter what the source. I was intrigued by
one, and it’s working, and we’re learning. Procter & Gamble’s concept of looking outside
the company for ideas, and we too have
Over the last year, we’ve opened a number adopted that idea enthusiastically. Not just
of Victoria’s Secret stores at volume levels through our own Center creative team, but
that would have been unheard of just a few through manufacturers, designers and third
years ago. Really fascinating, and something party brands that make our brands more
I think we’ve only begun to tap. A major interesting. Take Bath & Body Works. In the
initiative for the brands. past year, we’ve added products from multiple
partners, including Burt’s Bees, Murad and a
Another big initiative is Christmas at
number of other brands, that have enhanced
Victoria’s Secret Direct. Remarkably, there
the store and increased sales. They not only
was a theology in the Direct business that
expand the Bath & Body Works customer base,
Holiday was not a significant sales
they make the store more interesting and get
opportunity. Sharen Turney, CEO
us closer to our concept of Bath & Body Works
and President of
as the “Modern Apothecary of Beauty and
Victoria’s Secret
Well-Being.” A far cry from the “heartland”
Direct, didn’t buy
position of just a few years ago. A position that
it. She planned
was good at the time, but less relevant today.
for, and delivered,
one of Direct’s
best Holidays ever.
19.
20.
21. I try to never underestimate the sophistication There’s been a lot of talk lately about profiting 19
of our customer. I believe that if I’m interested from the core and moving to adjacencies
in something they will be too. And a lot of beyond the core. Nothing new really. It’s what
what we sell at Bath & Body Works today I’ve tried to practice since I got into business
are things I’ve seen, and been intrigued with, in 1963. Being a specialist. Doing something
over the last few years from my travels around well. Finding things that work with it,
the world. maximizing our strengths and expanding into
them, as only a specialist can.
Third party brands are becoming eager to
work with us. In many cases we’ve become That was the concept of the original Limited
by far their largest customer. We’ve simplified store, a business dedicated to sportswear.
their distribution and supply chain and, by And virtually every business we’ve
working through us, I think it’s safe to say developed since then has been
their lives and their businesses have gotten pursued with the same relentless
dramatically better. focus. What are we best at? How do
we dominate it? Over and over.
We will continue to be open and inquisitive,
Relentlessly.
and look for new, fresh ideas everywhere.
I frankly don’t care where they come from.
Just as long as they come. A constant flow
of fresh thinking.
In fashion, beauty and personal care we’re
looking for best brands, worldwide. And we
have a compelling, dramatic story for them.
One that can offer them growth and longevity
on a difficult playing field, and instant, large
scale distribution.
22. I was asked recently where I thought we
could have done better with some of the
businesses we closed in the past.
My honest answer was that, in every case, the
ideas were good, and I believe they still are.
What they needed, what all brands need, is
organization, execution and talent. You simply
can’t do it without talented people.
When I look back on the business concepts
that we opened and later closed, I’d say
that the primary thing that stopped us from
moving forward was talent — and talent
retention. And that never changes.
We’ve been called the most talent-rich
organization in retail, but we can and must
do better.
It’s imperative that we develop, retain and
attract new talent on a continuing basis to
expand the broad band of ideas that are so
critical to the continued growth of Limited
Brands. It is a major focus of Len Schlesinger,
our Vice Chairman, and Sandy West, our head
of Human Resources. And it’s important for
me. People and strategy are my “must-do’s.”
23. 21
“We’ve been called the most talent-rich
organization in retail, but we can and must
do better.”
24.
25. Associates contributed books and toys
to nearly 30,000 children.
I believe in creating a teachable point of view. Our story continues to evolve. The brands are 23
Something that works for merchants and for getting better, the processes are getting better
executives. I personally teach on a monthly and the year was a good one.
basis. And I’m now insisting that those who
report to me do the same. Do they know what We are not constrained by financial resources.
skills their direct reports must have to be We have the talent to develop new ideas, and
successful? Are they consistently teaching the real estate, and brand positions, to make
those skills? Complete leaders must have the them resonate.
skill set and use it.
The business is in its best position in years,
I’m determined that we continue to be smart and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
and disciplined in the management of our I said earlier that I am optimistic about our
business. By nature I’m not risk averse. You country and our economy, and optimistic
can’t be in the pack. You have to lead, with about our opportunities to grow potential
product and speed. We’ll be aggressive in business ideas with vigor. A deliberate shift
looking for ideas to develop, both inside to offense and growth.
and outside the business. We have a strong
appetite to invest more. To fund good ideas Truly, we’re in the early stages of the devel-
and grow. And we have the resources to do it. opment of our brands. Which is a wonderful
thing to say about a fashion business that
We are also a company that lives our values. celebrated its 40th birthday this year. We have
I’ve said before that I value whole people, no constraints on accelerated growth. It’s in
those who achieve a balance between work, our hearts and minds. The future looks bright
family and community. And I believe that to me. I’m more convinced than ever that our
those of us who’ve been so fortunate in our strategy is working, and the best is yet to come.
lives and in our careers are obligated to give
back. At Limited Brands we do. To United Sincerely,
Way, to Columbus Reads, to The Giving
Tree. Last year, through The Giving Tree
Holiday Program, Limited Brands’ associates
Leslie H. Wexner
contributed books and toys to nearly 30,000
Chairman and CEO
children, touching at least 9,000 families
through 500 domestic violence shelters.
And we were, again, a nationwide leader in
United Way giving.
Something to be very proud of.