Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Workforce Management and Global Expansion Strategy for Luxury Cosmetics Brand


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Workforce Management 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 luxury cosmetics brand faced a 20% decline in international sales and a 15% increase in operational costs during global expansion. Implementing a workforce management system and launching an eco-friendly product line led to a 30% increase in online sales and a 25% gain in market share. This highlights the importance of aligning product offerings with consumer preferences and investing in digital marketing.

Reading time: 9 minutes

Consider this scenario: A renowned luxury cosmetics brand faces significant challenges in workforce management as it endeavors to expand globally.

The organization has experienced a 20% decline in international sales due to intense competition and changing consumer preferences. Additionally, it struggles with a 15% increase in operational costs, attributed to inefficiencies in supply chain management and product development cycles. The primary strategic objective of the organization is to penetrate new global markets while optimizing workforce efficiency and reducing operational costs.



The luxury cosmetics brand under consideration is at a critical juncture, grappling with declining international sales and rising operational costs. The situation suggests underlying issues with workforce management and operational efficiency. A closer look might reveal that the brand’s traditional approaches to market penetration and product innovation are not keeping pace with rapidly evolving consumer preferences and digital transformation trends in the cosmetics industry.

Industry & Market Analysis

The global cosmetics industry is witnessing a paradigm shift, with sustainability and digitalization at the forefront of emerging trends. Consumer preferences are rapidly evolving, with a pronounced tilt towards eco-friendly and personalized products.

Understanding the competitive landscape requires an analysis of the primary forces shaping the industry:

  • Internal Rivalry: Competition is fierce among established luxury brands and emerging indie labels, leading to significant price pressures and increased marketing expenses.
  • Supplier Power: The power of suppliers is moderate, with major brands forming strategic partnerships with key suppliers to secure sustainable and high-quality raw materials.
  • Buyer Power: With access to a wealth of information and alternatives, buyer power is high. Consumers demand transparency, quality, and sustainability.
  • Threat of New Entrants: The barrier to entry is relatively high due to the brand reputation and capital investment required; however, niche markets witness frequent new entrants.
  • Threat of Substitutes: The threat is moderate but increasing with the rise of DIY beauty products and natural alternatives.

Emergent trends include a shift towards eco-friendly packaging, personalized beauty solutions, and digital marketing strategies. These trends present both opportunities and risks:

  • Increased demand for sustainable products offers an opportunity for brands to innovate and differentiate themselves. However, there's a risk in the significant investment required for research and development of new formulations.
  • The rise of digital channels for marketing and sales opens opportunities for global reach and personalized consumer engagement but requires substantial investment in digital capabilities.
  • Emerging markets present opportunities for expansion but come with risks associated with regulatory compliance and market volatility.

A STEEPLE analysis reveals that technological advancements, environmental concerns, and evolving social attitudes towards beauty and wellness significantly impact the cosmetics industry. Regulatory changes focusing on sustainability and consumer protection also pose challenges and opportunities for innovation.

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Internal Assessment

The organization boasts a strong brand heritage and a loyal customer base but struggles with adapting to digital transformation and operational inefficiencies.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths include a well-established brand and a broad portfolio of high-quality products. Opportunities lie in leveraging digital platforms for marketing and sales, and in innovation towards sustainable products. Weaknesses are evident in slow product development cycles and supply chain inefficiencies. Threats include intense competition and changing consumer preferences.

Value Chain Analysis

Analysis of the value chain highlights inefficiencies in inbound logistics and operations. Streamlining these areas through strategic partnerships and technology adoption can enhance efficiency. Strengths in marketing and sales can be further leveraged through digital channels.

McKinsey 7-S Analysis

The organization's strategy needs realignment towards digital transformation and sustainability. Structure and systems are outdated, hindering efficiency. Skills in digital marketing and sustainable product development are lacking. Shared values around sustainability could strengthen the brand's positioning.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Global Digital Marketing Campaign: Launching an integrated digital marketing campaign to enhance global brand visibility and consumer engagement. This initiative aims to increase online sales by 30% within the first year. The value creation comes from tapping into the growing online consumer base, expected to significantly boost revenue and market share. This will require investments in digital marketing expertise and technology.
  • Product Innovation Towards Sustainability: Developing a new line of eco-friendly cosmetics to meet the rising consumer demand for sustainable products. The intended impact is to position the brand as a leader in sustainability within the luxury cosmetics industry. This initiative is expected to open new market segments and increase brand loyalty. Resources needed include R&D investment and partnerships with sustainable suppliers.
  • Workforce Management Optimization: Implementing a comprehensive workforce management system to enhance productivity and employee engagement across global operations. This initiative aims to reduce operational costs by 20% and improve employee satisfaction scores. The value creation comes from optimizing workforce allocation and enhancing operational efficiency. It will require technology investment and change management resources.

Workforce Management 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.


Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement.
     – H. James Harrington

  • Online Sales Growth: Measuring the percentage increase in online sales to evaluate the effectiveness of the digital marketing campaign.
  • Product Development Cycle Time: Tracking the time taken from concept to market for new products to assess improvements in innovation processes.
  • Employee Satisfaction Score: Gauging employee engagement and satisfaction to measure the impact of workforce management optimizations.

These KPIs provide insights into the effectiveness of strategic initiatives in driving sales, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing employee engagement. They enable timely adjustments to strategies based on performance data.

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Workforce Management Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Workforce Management. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Workforce Management subject matter experts.

Workforce Management Deliverables

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

  • Global Digital Marketing Strategy Report (PPT)
  • Sustainable Product Development Roadmap (PPT)
  • Workforce Management Optimization Framework (PPT)
  • Implementation Plan and Financial Model (Excel)

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Global Digital Marketing Campaign

The strategic team utilized the Consumer Decision Journey (CDJ) framework to enhance the effectiveness of the global digital marketing campaign. CDJ, developed by McKinsey, offers a comprehensive view of how consumers make purchasing decisions, moving from initial consideration to active evaluation, and finally to the moment of purchase. This framework was instrumental in identifying key touchpoints for digital engagement. The team executed the following steps:

  • Mapped out the consumer decision journey for different segments within the luxury cosmetics market to identify specific digital channels most frequented by potential customers.
  • Developed targeted digital marketing campaigns for each stage of the journey, focusing on creating high-quality content and interactive experiences that resonate with the brand's luxury image.
  • Measured the impact of these targeted campaigns on consumer engagement and conversion rates, using analytics tools to track progress and refine strategies.

The application of the CDJ framework led to a more focused and effective global digital marketing campaign. By understanding and targeting specific stages of the consumer decision journey, the brand saw a 40% increase in consumer engagement online and a significant boost in conversion rates, contributing to the overall objective of increasing online sales.

Product Innovation Towards Sustainability

For the strategic initiative focused on product innovation towards sustainability, the team applied the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework. TBL, which emphasizes the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations, was pivotal in guiding the development of the new line of eco-friendly cosmetics. This approach ensured that product innovation not only met market demands but also aligned with broader sustainability goals. Following this framework, the team:

  • Conducted comprehensive market research to understand consumer expectations around sustainability in the luxury cosmetics sector.
  • Collaborated with R&D to develop new products that meet high standards of environmental sustainability without compromising on quality or luxury appeal.
  • Implemented a sustainability reporting mechanism to track the environmental and social impact of the new product line, ensuring continuous improvement.

The implementation of the TBL framework enabled the organization to successfully launch a new line of eco-friendly cosmetics. This initiative not only enhanced the brand's reputation as a leader in sustainability but also resulted in a 25% increase in market share within the eco-conscious consumer segment.

Workforce Management Optimization

In addressing the challenge of workforce management optimization, the team employed the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the organization. RBV focuses on leveraging a company's internal resources as a source of competitive advantage. This perspective was crucial in identifying and developing the unique capabilities needed to enhance workforce efficiency and engagement. The strategic steps taken included:

  • Identifying key skills and competencies within the organization that could be further developed to support the strategic objectives.
  • Designing and implementing targeted training programs to enhance these capabilities, with a focus on digital literacy and sustainability practices.
  • Developing a talent management strategy to attract, retain, and develop employees who possess critical skills, particularly in digital marketing and sustainable product innovation.

By applying the RBV framework, the organization was able to optimize its workforce management effectively. This led to a 20% reduction in operational costs through improved efficiency and a noticeable increase in employee satisfaction and engagement, which in turn contributed to the overall success of the strategic initiatives.

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Key Findings and Results

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

  • Increased online sales by 30% within the first year through an integrated global digital marketing campaign.
  • Launched a new line of eco-friendly cosmetics, resulting in a 25% increase in market share within the eco-conscious consumer segment.
  • Reduced operational costs by 20% by implementing a comprehensive workforce management system.
  • Achieved a 40% increase in consumer engagement online via targeted digital marketing campaigns based on the Consumer Decision Journey framework.
  • Enhanced employee satisfaction and engagement through targeted training programs and a talent management strategy.

The strategic initiatives undertaken by the luxury cosmetics brand have yielded significant results, notably in online sales growth, market share expansion within the eco-conscious segment, operational cost reduction, and enhanced consumer and employee engagement. The success in increasing online sales and market share can be attributed to the effective use of digital marketing strategies and the development of eco-friendly products, which aligned well with evolving consumer preferences towards sustainability and digital engagement. However, while operational costs were reduced, the report suggests there might have been areas within the supply chain and product development cycles where inefficiencies persisted, indicating room for further optimization. The unexpected high level of consumer engagement online suggests that digital channels were underutilized before the implementation of these strategic initiatives. An alternative strategy could have involved an earlier and more aggressive investment in digital transformation across all business areas, not just marketing, which might have addressed some of the inefficiencies in the supply chain and product development processes sooner.

Given the outcomes, the recommended next steps should focus on consolidating the gains in digital transformation and sustainability. This includes further investment in technology to streamline supply chain and product development processes, potentially through the use of AI and machine learning for better demand forecasting and inventory management. Additionally, expanding the product line to include more personalized beauty solutions could capitalize on the trend towards customization in the beauty industry. Finally, continuing to build on the digital marketing success by exploring emerging platforms and technologies, such as augmented reality for virtual product trials, could further enhance consumer engagement and brand loyalty.

Source: Workforce Management and Global Expansion Strategy for Luxury Cosmetics Brand, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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