Entrepreneur Stories
Liliane Bettencourt And What To Learn From The Woman Behind L’Oréal
Liliane Bettencourt, the heiress to L’Oréal, was, when she died, the richest woman in the world and the 14th richest person in the rest of the world. While fashion and cosmetics were the center of Liliane’s world, there was a lot more to her than just looking chic and pretty. Everything about Liliane’s life has been under public scrutiny and everything she did, helped her push L’Oréal to an unforeseen and unprecedented level. While the rest of the world remembers for her very public and ugly feud with her daughter, we would like to remember her for the way she built the Company up!
1. Her dedication to business
Picture credits: theguardian.com
From companies like Sun Pharma, to Foxconn and to L’Oréal, all major family run businesses have one thing in common: dedication to the business. With Liliane Bettencourt, the addiction and the conviction to the business was so strong, it was almost infectious. In fact, she said exactly that in a statement shortly before her death, “My life is L’Oréal. I have always been involved in the development of the company, and I will protect it to the end.” At another time, during the early days of Liliane’s role as a CEO Of L’Oréal, someone suggested using Isabella Rossellini as the brand ambassador. The moment Liliane heard the news, her response was. “But, ambassador of L’Oréal, it’s me!” Sticking true to her dedication to the Company, Liliane always thought of her business first, then anything else.
2. Family and stability always go hand in hand
Picture credits; livemint.com
Despite having a very public war with her daughter, over property and money, among other disagreements, Liliane always believed that family comes first. Further, one of her other concerns came from the fact, she wanted the control of the business within the family. In fact, when Nestlé bought a majority stake from L’Oreal, Liliane ensured that at least 30 % of the shares were within the Company and not sold. This helped make sure, no matter what, as long as Liliane was alive, one third of the control was going to be in the family! If family and stability was not the center of Liliane’s growth strategy, then L’Oreal wouldn’t be what it is even after her death!
3. Keep expanding and growing
Picture credits: lovealusa.com
When L’Oréal started, it was a small cosmetics chain where most of the products were sold domestically. With every product sold and every sale made, the profits L’Oréal earned through the years, propelled it to the top! Growing from having almost nothing, to earning € 26 billion as revenue in 2016, L’Oréal grew exponentially. Further, the shares which Bettencourt sold back to Nestlé before she died, increased the value of L’Oréal by at least a 100 times, making the Company one of the richest ones in the world!
Liliane Bettencourt led an eventful life. With a journey full of ups and downs, she made sure, no matter what she did, her business was always her focal point. A journey rooted deep in family and values, Liliane Bettencourt’s life stopped short at the ripe old of 94. A woman who fought tooth and nail to make a mark, she most certainly has left a strong legacy behind.
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