Sphere
#40
2016
13
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sell both beauty and health together – the
way we create customer experience for
customers of different generations”.
Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO of
L’Oréal, is perfectly aligned with this vision.
Contemplating the future of his company,
he talks about L’Oréal’s new structure,
which involves “digital transformation,
which is absolutely essential. We have had
a complete digital transformation of the
company”.
Innovation isn’t just an aspiration. ASW
has a practical channel for working with
global suppliers: the eLab programme,
driving its e-commerce platform. ASW’s
eLab is the catalyst to connect ASW and
its partners, driving innovation and positive
transformation.
“We want you to provide us with quality
content and to work with our eLab. We
created eLab as a centralised platform to
provide structural efficiency to you. Instead
of working with our 25 markets, you just
need to work with our eLab in Hong Kong
for Asia, and eLab London for Europe,”
says Mr Lai.
SUSTAINABLE SUPERSTAR
Commitment to sustainability is crucial,
and that vision is shared by Marc Puig,
Chairman and CEO of Puig. This third-
generation European fashion house owns
Jean-Paul Gaultier and Carolina Herrera.
Mr Puig says, “Our idea of sustainability is
both for the business model we have, and
for the things we are going to pass to the
next generation ... We will make sure they
are proud of the company they will inherit.”
Companies may not be the only thing the
next generation can inherit. Creative genes
may be inherited too, even if expressed in
different ways. Stella McCartney came to
share a vision that has seen her develop her
business in more than 77 countries with a
diverse range of products across fashion,
from lingerie to glamour to children’s lines.
Ms McCartney shared her commitment
to sustainability with Alan Heaton, Group
Finance Director of ASW.
“The idea of being more sustainable, more
environmentally minded, more responsible
as a [fashion] house and as a business –
people really want it, they crave it.” For
her, that means no leather products, and
no PVC in her products, unheard of in a
fashion house.
But she isn’t one to think she’s arrived and
can relax. The innovation was in part driven
by need. “I don’t think you can ever feel
safe,” she says.
Like Ms McCartney, Mr Lai not
only feels the heat of ever-present
competition, but he also embraces the
need for dissatisfaction. “The future
belongs to the discontent! We have been
quite successful but we are not satisfied
with it. We are determined to shape our
future, rather than let the future shape us.
Actions must be taken today ... I believe the
future will favour those who move now and
move boldly.”
ASW executives and Stella McCartney both know sustainability
and responsibility are key drivers of successful business.
“I hope we will have
the same productive,
constructive and respectful
partnership that we have
now with A S Watson.”
Paul Polman,
CEO, Unilever
