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Business Rules #11:
Take Credit, Even When
It's Not Due.
November 19, 2004
(PAGE 3 of 4)
Pay attention. Right now, I’m going to demonstrate everything I’m saying very clearly with an example from my own life. You might want to reread this one.
On November 19th, I officially positioned the person who is going to design and oversee my clothing line. I’m putting a lot of money behind this venture. I’ve hired a publicist and a marketing agency specifically for it. When I originally announced that I wanted to hire a designer for my fashion line, I received over 500 resumes and applications from New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to work with a Chicagoan, but the skill set of a lot of people impressed me. I narrowed the field down to 25. Out of that 25, I cut it down to ten. I invited that ten to my office to meet with me and enjoy a champagne lunch while they took in the interview of a lifetime.
My assistant, Tracy, is an intelligent, beautiful young woman whom I respect very much. Because her opinion is so valuable to me, I asked her to sit in. I also invited my production coordinator—and fashion extraordinaire—Shelly to sit in as well. We listened to everyone tell us why they were best suited for this project and why I should hire them to design for me. I immediately dismissed those that I felt lacked the passion and drive requisite for an international brand.
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No sooner than they were gone, the energy level in the whole room picked up.
I’m my final round I had:
Eva, a costume designer for many major musicals and Broadway productions who can bring a myriad of designs to my collection.
Kristin, a beautiful young woman with a great sense of fashion who can add the urban touch to my casual and sport lines.
Anne, an energetic designer who can fill up a room with her presence.
Tia, a designer who is in touch with what is happening in life and who can add a timeless youth to my lines; and
Stacy, an analytical designer who can sketch out anything that she conjures in her mind.
Out of the five remaining fantastic designers, one young woman stood head and shoulders above the rest and one simply didn’t move me. I sent the five of them out into the hall to talk it over with Tracy and Shelly. One thing was immediately clear: we all thought that every one of these ladies was great.
I called the candidates back in and asked why I should pick one over the other. One after another spoke up confidently and without shame as to why they were better than everyone else in the room. It was unbelievable.
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I immediately dismissed those that I felt lacked the passion and drive requisite for an international
