Chris has over 35 years senior management experience in direct sales and consumer marketing working with major US, Japanese and Indian corporations.
Chris has had the honour of working closely with 2 of the most influential individuals in the history of MLM - Rich DeVos, Founder of the MLM industry and Amway founder and with industry icon and direct sales guru, Mark Hughes founder of Herbalife International. Chris says, 'I had the opportunity to learn from the very best, this was a privilege and enabled me to fully understand the philosophy, ethics and all facets that drives the successful companies.' Rich DeVos announced to key Amway executives that Chris was one of the 5 people in the Amway Corporation that fully understand this business.
Starting with Sanyo Electronics in Australia Chris was part of the phenomenal growth the company experienced in the 1970s. Chris started as NSW State Sales Administrator and after five promotions in two years became National Marketing Services Manager. The position involved dealing with product development, national major accounts liaison and advertising and promotional campaigns. 'Sanyo that's Life!' TV commercial made in Australia was so successful it went worldwide and as the driving theme of the company.
In 1979 Chris was head hunted to Amway Australia starting as Marketing Administration Manager and was soon promoted to National Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand. The success of Amway Australia jumping from sales of $30m to just under $300m earned Chris a promotion to Europe as General Manager Amway UK and Ireland. This was a business declining for three years - Chris and the team turned this around in eighteen months. He was then promoted to European Marketing Manager with also direct regional management responsibilities for 5 countries. The European business flourished from around $66m in sales to over $600m in 4 years. He then promoted to being Corporate Director of the $3bn Health and Beauty Division at the Head Quarters in Ada Michigan.
In 1994 he was head hunted by Mark Hughes of Herbalife International as EVP Global Corporate Marketing. This department did not exist and Chris therefore created Global Corporate Marketing based in LA whilst still holding regional management responsibilities for Europe and Russia. The Herbalife business grew from $800m to $1.8billion during this period.
Chris moved on in 1999 and created a complete start up for a French Fashion House Luxelle International. He has also worked in India turning around and developing the first Indian direct seller Modicare India Ltd.
During his long career Chris has been known for his marketing and product development expertise and his ability as CEO to turnaround countries in every region of the world. Working in all major countries of the world including India I am cognizant of the need to adapt the direct sales business model and some of the universal laws of this industry to the local culture. Strategies come from careful research, understanding of local conditions and experience.
Chris recently has developed two of his own successful companies in product supply to the direct sales industry.
At Strategy India we want to work with clients that are serious about succeeding, who want to build an ethical long term sustainable business and on projects that are interesting and challenging. India is now one of the most exciting places in the world for direct selling and we want to assist the industry achieve its full potential. During my career I have seen how this industry helps millions upon millions of average people develop and change their lives forever, working with Strategy India I am delighted to be part of this business phenomena in India.
