We have a commanding knowledge of brand plus the talent necessary to manage it.
Our connection to multiple disciplines and industries lets us offer creative, often surprising solutions you might never have considered. The business world is changing quickly, with revolutions like retail verticalization,digital shopping and globalization redefining the management needs of companies large and small. What was considered effective talent five years ago often won’t work today. Berglass+associates understands how businesses and the marketplace evolve, so we’re experts at evaluating which people will be effective for you today and tomorrow.
Knowing where talent lies is of little value if you can’t get to it. Our reputation opens countless doors. People take our calls – they trust us. We find those people who would normally say no to a change, and get them to say yes.
Berglass+associates considers it our responsibility — not yours — to bring closure. We anticipate counteroffers. We regularly deal with attorneys on both sides of the equation. We even offer coaching in how to resign. And much as possible, we take the pain out of relocation, even working around issues involved with selling a home quickly. In short, we’re there every step of the way.
What tells us that our placements are successful? Time. We’re often asked to provide examples of recent placements. But taking a longer look back demonstrates our real success. A recent sampling of berglass+associates placements showed our clients significantly outpacing their competition in growth. And our clients that are public companies have experienced share value increases three times the industry average. It’s not just our opinion, it’s a fact:
- Sharen Turney (CEO, Victoria's Secret Group)
- Michael MacDonald (CEO, DSW)
- Keith Monda (President, Coach)
- Jim Boike and Jack Moore (President, Hallmark Retail)
- Michael Alexin (Vice President General Merchandising Manager )
Sharen Turney (CEO, Victoria's Secret Group) ↑
Victoria’s Secret is a powerhouse brand. It owns the intimate apparel category. And though it looks like one brand to the consumer, it’s really four – a retail chain, a cosmetic company, a legendary catalog and the largest digital softgoods presence on the web. Several years ago, berglass+associates was asked to find a new leader for the Victoria’s Secret catalog. We knew they needed a visionary, an experienced merchant and someone with phenomenal experience in direct-to-the-consumer – Victoria’s Secret was, after all, the largest intimate apparel business in the world. We focused on one name: Sharen Turney, who at the time was leading the entire direct business for Neiman Marcus.
But that was just the beginning. Sharen not only strengthened the direct business, she helped return the brand to a unified image. Her success was recognized, and in 2006, Sharen was promoted to CEO of Victoria’s Secret Group in charge of the entire Victoria’s Secret brand. It was the first time in the company’s history that the chairman put the brand in the hands of one person. And it’s no surprise to berglass+associates that today, Victoria’s Secret is one of the world’s best-performing women’s specialty retailers.
Michael MacDonald (CEO, DSW) ↑
We worked hard at building the merchandising team at DSW. In 2009, we were charged with finding a leader who could take the business to the next level. That March, when we placed Michael MacDonald as CEO, their share price was below $7 with a market cap under $300 million. Two years later, the share price exceeded $40 with the market cap increased to $1.8 billion—an incredible sixfold increase in the value of the company.
Keith Monda (President, Coach) ↑
Berglass+associates placed Keith Monda at Coach in 1999, as COO. At the time, Coach’s sales and profits had slowed and the parent company, Sara Lee, was disappointed with the brand. Keith improved their operations and created a platform for the company to focus on the front end of the business. Keith continued to serve as a superb operations leader, and was eventually promoted to president. He helped lead an IPO that was the envy of the consumer goods industry. And he recently told us that since the IPO, stock has increased 2,000% in value.
Jim Boike and Jack Moore (President, Hallmark Retail) ↑
Continuity and long-term performance are two qualities associated with our placements, which is why we’ve listed two executives here for the same position.
We placed Jim Boike with Hallmark in 2003, then Jack Moore to succeed him when Jim retired six years later. While most consumers probably view Hallmark as a large national chain, it’s actually a wholesaler owning just one-tenth of its stores. An extremely large portion of their distribution is through mom-and-pop stationery stores that carry the Hallmark line. Originally, the Hall family came to berglass+associates seeking a leader who could turn around a softening business and redefine their retail partnerships without having to control the stores. Before joining Hallmark, Jim had created the platform that made Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn such exciting shopping experiences, and he brought that success to Hallmark, as well. Their confidence in Jim and in berglass+associates was obvious when they confidentially shared his upcoming retirement with us, asking us once again to find a company president. We were pleased to find Jack Moore for them. Jack is picking up where Jim’s turnaround left off.
Michael Alexin (Vice President General Merchandising Manager ) ↑
The incredible style impact of Target is a familiar story, as is their spectacular success. Of all mass-volume retailers, Target has been the most successful in giving its customers real, on-trend fashion merchandise. And the placement berglass+associates made, Michael Alexin, is at the center of that success as their first true design director. Not only did Michael have to create product the consumer desired, he also had to create the structure and engender understanding in a company that was accustomed to buying market goods. If you’re walking through Target and can’t get over how special and appealing the merchandise looks, think of Michael Alexin.