“I NEVER DREAMT about success. I worked for it,” said Estée Lauder, and today her influence is still emulated by her firm's more than 10,000 employees. According to Chris Good, president of Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) UK & Ireland: “We often quote Estée. The company is a unique combination of a family business and a high-performance organisation. I do walk into work thinking how lucky I am to be working for Estée Lauder and such a large portfolio of brands.” The London-based firm's collection includes Tom Ford Beauty, La Mer, Aveda and Bobbi Brown, to name just a few. In the UK prestige make-up category alone, one out of every two products bought is from an ELC brand. Staff are proud to work for the company (82% positive, ranking second). Laura Maxwell started part-time at a Clinique counter 15 years ago at the age of 19. Today she's the business's education director, overseeing area managers and classroom training. “There's communication at every level: if people told me where I'd be today, I don't think I would have believed it,” she says. Good also points out that in this multifaceted organisation, people don't have to leave to try something new or progress. About 20% of Estée Lauder's executive team have worked their way up — and 75% of the UK leadership team and nearly half of the directors are women. “There's a lot of people in this business who started on a beauty counter or in distribution,” says Michaela Horner, regional head of distribution and logistics. “I started with a job and now I have a career. I love my work; every day is a learning day.” Her colleagues agree that the experience they gain will be valuable in the future (75%). They feel inspired by Good's leadership (66%). “No one has a problem at distribution ribbing him about how Arsenal played at the weekend,” jokes Horner. Listening to staff is one essential attribute of a leader, says Good.“Every Friday I work in the stores — it's so important as leader that you're seen as a regular guy who goes to the pub. If you create that culture then it proliferates throughout the organisation.” Luke Evans, general manager of Aramis & Designer Fragrances, says it's the sense of family that counts. He feels as valued today as when he started five years ago. “It's inclusive and authentic. It's like Estée said: ‘Bringing the best to everyone we touch.' This business really does.” www.esteelauder.co.uk
