Dear Friend,
“Ms. Sins, your car is here,” Johnny, the driver, announced as I stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac. I said nonchalantly, “Oh, thanks,” while inside I was giddy like a little school girl and couldn’t help but think back a year and reflect on the way I used to travel. I used to walked two miles a day in addition to a half hour commute on Septa, the local rail train in Philadelphia, between work and school seven days a week. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it and will always cherish that time of my life but today I flew on the company’s corporate jet on which Jenny, the stewardess, served up cheese and fruit for breakfast. I gotta say I don’t mind the transition! When I arrived in Columbus, Ohio, Johnny, the secret-service-look-alike driver, was waiting for me in a big, black, tinted SUV so that he could take me to our sister office in Ohio. My how much things can change in a year if you want them to!
Limited Brands, the company as we know it today, started in Columbus, Ohio. It is here where one can find distribution centers, finance, real estate, human resources, logistics, etc. For the most part, all of the Limited Brands have only their creative think tanks in Manhattan with the balance of their offices residing in Columbus. I am here today for a program called Enterprise Onboarding that caters to new hires with a majority of us being college graduates. The program hosts speakers representing all of the major departments of the Enterprise and lasts for twelve weeks during the summer. We’ve seen everyone from the chief financial officer to the head merchandiser for panties all while there is a sexy Adrianna Lima poster as a back drop during the presentations!
The program is enriching to say the least. It is an excellent opportunity for me to become exposed to the different parts of the business. I have been working for the direct catalogue and web piece of the brand so during Enterprise Onboarding, I have gained insight to the functionality and differences in dynamics of store operations. One hot topic that has been brought up more than once is whether or not the brand will go international. My lips are sealed but I will tell you what I have heard is exciting and stay tuned! During the twelve weeks I will be commuting back and forth between Manhattan and Columbus, my goal is to observe and absorb the perspective of each speaker in an attempt to understand how each department has contributed to making this brand so powerful. Like a typical Virgo, I want to know everything about everything. I still have so much to learn but this is an extraordinary introduction.
Until Next time!!
