- AVON IN GLOBAL MARKETS
General: The context of the assignment is to assume that you are preparing to be or are an
international manager and you have been asked to advise Avon on key questions. You are
doing an analysis of the information in the case study to advise Avon on its international
human resource practices, dealing with culturally diverse workforces, and key issues that it
needs to take note of in its expansion in India.
Note that the CEO in the case study (Andrea Jung) has changed to Sheri McCoy. See for
example Fortune August 10 2011 ‘Keys to success from AVONS top boss’ or The Weekend
Australian October 29-30 2011 from The Wall Street Journal ‘AVON chief red-faced as
critics form a queue’.http://www.avoncompany.com/aboutavon/avonmarkets.html; http:/
/money.cnn.com/gallery/news/world/2013/07/08/global-forum.fortune/10.html or http://
postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/07/02/gen-y-women-king/
Sections in Assignment 2 (3,500 words)
Section 1 – Avon's international human resource practices (1,500 words)
Evaluate Avon’s Strategic International Human Resources practices regarding:
o the development of a global management cadre ,
o host country nationals and building company associates and independent
representatives in in host countries.
Include a discussion on how Avon could hire and retain the best workforce in India and
China .
Indicate what the role would be of cross cultural training and practices
Resources:
o Module 4 and its readings;
o Search USQ library for appropriate journal articles,
o PowerPoints fromDeresky on Study Desk about IHRM and developing a global
cadre;
Section 2 – Dealing with culturally diverse workforces(1,200 words)
Seventy percent of Avon’s revenues are generated outside of the USA and the case study notes
AVON's expansion into India and China.
Compare and contrast the general cultural differences of India and China with the USA.
Select two cultural dimensions from the GLOBE study or Trompenaars' model to discuss in
detail.
Insert the table that you created in the research activity as Appendix 2, but use the
descriptions of differences between the three countries in the text.
What implications do these differences (India and China with the USA) have for cross-
cultural communication and leadership in Avon?
Resources:
o Modules 1 & 5 and its readings;
o Search USQ library for appropriate journal articles,
o PowerPoints fromDeresky on Study Desk about cross cultural communication and
leadership
Section 3 – Future expansion(800 words)
Avon may be expanding into India and China.
What aspects of the role of women in society in India and China could impact on Avon’s
international human resource development plan in India and China?
