Taking Your Career from Australia to Overseas: Q&A with Donna Baird, VP Marketing Revlon (2001-2015)

Donna Baird started her career in the Beauty & Personal Care Industry at Reckitt-Benckiser in Sydney before moving to Revlon in the late 90's. Along the way she grew her international experience by first looking after businesses in Australia & NZ, then expanding to the Asia Pacific region, including an assignment in Shanghai as interim GM of Revlon China, Taiwan, & Hong Kong.  In 2007 she made the leap to Revlon’s global headquarters in NYC, as VP Marketing for Revlon’s worldwide colour cosmetics business, then held various positions there until leaving Revlon in mid-2015 – and is still a “New Yorker” today. Here she shares with us some insights into what she learned along the way about “going global”:

Q. How do you think your experiences in Australia prepared you for working in Asia and then the US?

A. My experience in Australia taught me execution. The details are important and so are customer, or retailer, relationships. The roles in Asia and the US were more strategic (i.e. big picture and directional), but I never forgot that the devil is in the details and if you don't have great retailer relationships, the outcome is compromised.

 

Q. How did you decide to take your career in an International direction?

A. It was really an evolution in the first instance. Sydney became headquarters for the Asia Pacific region for Revlon and I got my first taste of working internationally. I really loved working with the many teams across the region, understanding their challenges and differences, and helping to adapt global strategy regionally. When the position came up at headquarters in New York, I realized I could have a major impact on a global level which was very motivating. My background gave me a more global perspective than many within the US team and, as we were trying to globalize the brand, this was an advantage.

Q. What were some of the biggest challenges you had to overcome along the way?

A. Travel commitments and ultimately moving to the US has a big impact on your family. If you move internationally, great employers will help you with housing, educational options for kids, as well as tax advice which can all be minefields. Relocation means long work hours, a new culture, both personally and professionally, as well as the need to establish new relationships. It's incredibly rewarding but as one boss once told me "if it was easy, anyone could do it"!

Q. And the biggest rewards?

A. Making a difference on a global level, delivering business results that meet and beat objectives is hugely rewarding. Great team-working opportunities with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Living in a new city, especially one like New York, is exciting and invigorating. 

Q. What advice would you have for someone thinking about taking their career in Beauty, overseas?

A. Think about taking a position with a global company in Australia where international transfers are a possibility. Build your equity locally and then seek an international transfer. Find an appropriate mentor internally to coach and support you. Make sure the personal stuff is taken care of, your family, housing etc. so that you can focus on doing a great job.