Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Globalization Strategy for Cosmetics Manufacturer in Asian Market
     Joseph Robinson    |    Job Training


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Job Training to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A leading cosmetics manufacturer experienced a 20% drop in domestic sales and required workforce training while targeting Asian market expansion. Within a year, the company grew market share by 15% and boosted sales by 20% with a new eco-friendly product line, underscoring the value of Strategic Planning and Innovation in market entry and product development.

Reading time: 9 minutes

Consider this scenario: A premier cosmetics manufacturer, known for its innovative skincare solutions, is at a crossroads, needing to expand its footprint in the highly competitive Asian market.

The organization is confronting a 20% decline in domestic sales due to saturated markets and increased competition. Additionally, it faces a critical gap in job training for its workforce to meet the evolving demands of international markets. The primary strategic objective is to globalize its operations, penetrating new segments within the Asian cosmetics market while enhancing workforce capabilities to support this expansion.



The cosmetics industry is witnessing rapid transformation, driven by shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable and personalized products. An analysis of the competitive landscape reveals that:

Strategic Planning

  • Internal Rivalry: Intense due to the presence of numerous global and local brands, each vying for consumer attention with innovative products.
  • Supplier Power: Moderately high as quality ingredients become scarce, and suppliers gain bargaining power.
  • Buyer Power: Increasing as consumers become more informed and selective, demanding higher quality and ethically produced cosmetics.
  • Threat of New Entrants: Moderate, given the high entry barriers related to brand reputation and regulatory compliance.
  • Threat of Substitutes: High, with consumers exploring alternative skincare routines and homemade cosmetics.

Emergent trends include a surge in demand for organic and cruelty-free products, digitalization of sales channels, and personalized customer experiences. These shifts present both opportunities and risks:

  • Increase in consumer demand for sustainable products opens new market segments but requires significant R&D investment.
  • Digitalization offers a channel to engage directly with consumers, though it necessitates advanced data analytics capabilities.
  • Personalization enhances customer loyalty but demands sophisticated technology and data management systems.

A STEEPLE analysis indicates that technological and environmental factors are significantly influencing industry dynamics, with digital marketing and sustainable production becoming key to competitive advantage. Social trends towards ethical consumption are reshaping consumer preferences, while legal and regulatory considerations are tightening, especially in cross-border trade.

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Internal Assessment

The organization boasts a strong brand heritage and innovative product lineup but struggles with operational agility and digital marketing strategies.

Benchmarking against industry leaders reveals gaps in digital engagement, product innovation speed, and supply chain sustainability. Addressing these areas is critical for maintaining competitiveness.

A McKinsey 7-S analysis highlights misalignments between strategy, structure, and systems, particularly in international market integration and digital transformation efforts, suggesting a need for organizational realignment.

Value Chain analysis underscores inefficiencies in inbound logistics and distribution channels. Optimizing these areas through strategic partnerships and technology investments could significantly reduce costs and improve market responsiveness.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Global Market Entry and Expansion: Launch a targeted entry into two high-growth Asian markets within the next 18 months , leveraging digital channels for market penetration. This initiative aims to diversify revenue streams and increase market share. Value creation will stem from tapping into new customer segments, expected to boost sales by 30%. This will require investments in market research, digital marketing platforms, and local compliance.
  • Product Innovation and Sustainability: Develop a new line of eco-friendly skincare products over the next 24 months . This initiative seeks to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable cosmetics, creating value through brand differentiation and loyalty. Resources needed include R&D, sustainable sourcing partnerships, and eco-certification processes.
  • Workforce Development and Job Training: Implement a comprehensive job training program focusing on digital skills and international market dynamics over the next 12 months . The intended impact is to enhance the capabilities of the workforce to support global expansion and digital transformation. This will create value by improving operational efficiency and market adaptability. Required resources include training programs, digital tools, and external consultants.

Job Training Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


You can't control what you can't measure.
     – Tom DeMarco

  • Market Share Growth: An increase in market share within the new segments will indicate successful market entry and expansion.
  • Product Development Cycle Time: Reduction in time from concept to market for new products will signal improved innovation processes.
  • Employee Digital Proficiency Scores: Improvement in these scores will reflect the effectiveness of the job training program.

These KPIs provide insights into the organization's progress towards strategic objectives, highlighting areas of success and where further adjustments may be necessary. Tracking market share growth informs on competitive positioning, while product development cycle time and employee proficiency scores indicate internal operational efficiency and capability enhancement.

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Job Training Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Market Entry Strategy Report (PPT)
  • Product Innovation Roadmap (PPT)
  • Workforce Development Plan (PPT)
  • Global Expansion Financial Model (Excel)
  • Digital Marketing Strategy Framework (PPT)

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Global Market Entry and Expansion

The strategic team employed the PEST Analysis and the Market Entry Strategy framework to guide the Global Market Entry and Expansion initiative. PEST Analysis, which examines Political, Economic, Social, and Technological factors, was instrumental in selecting high-growth Asian markets. It provided a comprehensive understanding of the macro-environmental context, facilitating a more informed decision-making process regarding market entry. Following the insights gained from PEST Analysis:

  • Conducted in-depth research on the political stability, regulatory frameworks, and trade policies of potential Asian markets to identify favorable conditions.
  • Analyzed economic trends, including consumer spending habits and growth rates, to assess market potential.
  • Evaluated social factors such as cultural preferences and consumer behavior towards cosmetics to tailor product offerings.
  • Investigated technological infrastructure and digital adoption rates to strategize on the most effective sales channels.

Simultaneously, the Market Entry Strategy framework guided the selection of entry modes, balancing risk and control to optimize market penetration. This framework was pivotal in determining whether to enter through joint ventures, franchising, direct exporting, or wholly-owned subsidiaries, based on a comprehensive analysis of the market and organizational capabilities.

  • Assessed the organization's internal capabilities and alignment with potential market entry modes, opting for direct exporting and digital channels as initial steps.
  • Developed partnerships with local distributors and e-commerce platforms to facilitate market access and consumer reach.
  • Implemented pilot launches in selected cities to gather market feedback and adjust strategies accordingly.

The results from implementing these frameworks were significant. The organization successfully entered two high-growth Asian markets within the planned timeframe, achieving a 15% market share growth in the first year. The strategic alignment with local consumer preferences and technological trends, informed by the PEST Analysis, alongside a well-structured entry strategy, laid a solid foundation for sustainable expansion in the region.

Product Innovation and Sustainability

For the Product Innovation and Sustainability initiative, the team utilized the Design Thinking and Triple Bottom Line frameworks. Design Thinking was applied to foster innovation and develop a new line of eco-friendly skincare products. This human-centered approach to innovation focuses on understanding the users' needs, re-framing the problem in human-centric ways, creating many ideas in brainstorming sessions, and adopting a hands-on approach in prototyping and testing. Following this methodology:

  • Engaged with consumers through interviews and workshops to gain insights into their needs and preferences for sustainable cosmetics.
  • Conducted ideation sessions to brainstorm potential product innovations that align with sustainability goals.
  • Developed prototypes of eco-friendly products and tested them with target consumer groups for feedback, leading to iterative improvements.

The Triple Bottom Line framework, which emphasizes the importance of social, environmental, and economic factors, guided the sustainability aspect of product innovation. This approach ensured that new products not only met market demands but also adhered to ethical production standards and contributed positively to the environment.

  • Evaluated the environmental impact of new product lines, ensuring the use of sustainable materials and production processes.
  • Assessed the social implications, including fair labor practices and community impact, of sourcing and manufacturing locations.
  • Analyzed the economic viability of the new eco-friendly product line to ensure profitability and market competitiveness.

The integration of Design Thinking and Triple Bottom Line frameworks resulted in the successful launch of a new line of eco-friendly skincare products. This initiative not only enhanced the brand's reputation in the market but also achieved a 20% increase in sales from the new product line within the first 12 months , demonstrating the effectiveness of combining innovation with sustainability in product development.

Workforce Development and Job Training

The Workforce Development and Job Training initiative was supported by the Competency Framework and the 70-20-10 Model for Learning and Development. The Competency Framework was critical in identifying the specific skills and competencies required for employees to support global expansion and digital transformation. This structured approach to defining job roles and required competencies ensured that the job training program was aligned with strategic objectives. The process included:

  • Mapping out key competencies needed for roles critical to the global expansion and digital marketing strategies.
  • Developing a competency assessment to identify current gaps in employee skills and knowledge.
  • Designing customized training programs to address these gaps, focusing on digital skills, international market dynamics, and cultural sensitivity.

The 70-20-10 Model for Learning and Development, which posits that 70% of learning comes from on-the-job experiences, 20% from interactions with others, and 10% from formal educational events, guided the implementation of the training program. This model informed the development of a comprehensive learning strategy that included:

  • Creating opportunities for employees to engage in cross-functional projects and international market research to gain practical experience.
  • Facilitating mentorship and coaching sessions with experienced leaders and market experts to foster knowledge sharing.
  • Organizing workshops and seminars on digital transformation and global market trends for formal education.

The application of the Competency Framework and the 70-20-10 Model significantly enhanced the workforce's capabilities, resulting in improved operational efficiency and market adaptability. The job training initiative led to a 25% increase in employee digital proficiency scores and played a crucial role in supporting the organization's successful global market entry and expansion efforts.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Achieved a 15% market share growth in two high-growth Asian markets within the first year of entry.
  • Launched a new line of eco-friendly skincare products, resulting in a 20% increase in sales from this line within 12 months.
  • Implemented a comprehensive job training program, leading to a 25% increase in employee digital proficiency scores.
  • Identified and addressed operational inefficiencies in inbound logistics and distribution channels, though specific quantifiable results are not mentioned.
  • Developed strategic partnerships with local distributors and e-commerce platforms to facilitate market access and consumer reach.

Evaluating the results of the strategic initiatives reveals a mixed success. The 15% market share growth and 20% sales increase from the new eco-friendly product line are significant achievements, demonstrating effective market entry and product innovation strategies. These successes can be attributed to thorough market research, alignment with consumer preferences for sustainability, and leveraging digital channels for market penetration. However, the report lacks specific quantifiable results on operational efficiency improvements, suggesting potential areas of underperformance or insufficient measurement. Additionally, while the increase in employee digital proficiency scores is commendable, the direct impact on operational efficiency and market adaptability could be further elaborated. Alternative strategies, such as more aggressive digital marketing tactics or partnerships for technological innovation, might have enhanced outcomes, especially in operational efficiency and market penetration depth.

For next steps, it is recommended to deepen market penetration in the existing Asian markets through localized marketing strategies and further product personalization to meet diverse consumer preferences. Additionally, leveraging the increased digital proficiency of the workforce, the company should explore advanced data analytics for consumer insights and operational improvements. Expanding the eco-friendly product line with innovations driven by customer feedback can capitalize on the growing trend towards sustainability. Finally, a more detailed assessment of operational processes with a focus on technology integration could uncover further efficiencies and cost savings.

Source: Globalization Strategy for Cosmetics Manufacturer in Asian Market, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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