The more I studied the company’s recent history, the more it looked like The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight. From 2001 to 2010 they never exceeded $4.5 billion. But in fact its sales had peaked at $7 billion in 1997 and then fallen to $4.1 billion in five years. I’d guessed that Levi Strauss had revenue of about $10 billion. But as I began doing research to prepare for my first meeting with its board chairman, I was surprised by what I found. The story of its founding is well known: Launched as a dry-goods retailer during the California gold rush, the company got a breakthrough in the 1870s, when it patented the use of rivets to strengthen the seams in denim work pants, inventing blue jeans. It was a brand I grew up with and had an emotional attachment to. Bergh saw that as an opportunity to put the Levi’s brand back at the center of the cultural conversation.įew brands are as iconic as Levi’s, and Levi Strauss is one of the oldest companies in America. A second big investment was the purchase of naming rights for the San Francisco 49ers’ new stadium-a 20-year, $220 million deal. Its biggest success has been a revamped women’s denim line. In 2013 a new facility was opened four blocks from headquarters in San Francisco. The new strategy provided funds for investment in the company’s Eureka Innovation Lab, which had been colocated with a factory in Turkey. But he also saw that a lack of urgency, of financial discipline, and of data discipline permeated the culture.Īfter six months on the job, Bergh and his team rolled out a plan consisting of four key pieces: (1) Build our profitable core (80% of profits come from men’s jeans and Dockers) (2) Expand for more (seize the opportunity in women’s clothing) (3) Become a leading omnichannel retailer (grow sales in the company’s own stores and online) (4) Achieve operational excellence (cut costs, drive cash flow, become more data driven and financially disciplined). He wasn’t surprised to discover that a clear strategy was lacking. He went on a listening tour, conversing with each of the top 60 executives, asking them what three things absolutely must change and what three things must not. These projects include designing a risk dashboard and risk matrix for the Enterprise Risk Management class and doing the regular weekly assignments in MS Excel and Tableau for my Business Analytics class.When the author was tapped to join Levi Strauss, in 2011, the company’s financial performance had been erratic for a decade. I can efficiently perform my tasks at my internship based on the various projects that I did in the iSchool. have really helped me since the very start of my internship. Learning tools like Power BI, MS Excel, Tableau etc. iSchool Classes to the RescueĮnterprise Risk Management and Business Analytics had been the two most important subjects that laid the foundation of my internship projects. I’m also learning the basics of internal auditing and compliance which is helping me in understanding the relevant laws, policies and regulations that financial companies need to take care of. Learning this tool is the most fascinating part of my internship. I had no prior experience working with the Bloomberg Terminal, the so-called “nervous system of finance.” It initially seemed really difficult, but once I started using it every day it got much simpler. It helps in adding plenty of knowledge and getting a better understanding of operations and working. But I encourage everyone to ask questions to their supervisors and co-workers. I feared judgment and that it might create a negative impression of me. This helps me in prioritizing and accomplishing my tasks on time.Īlso, initially when I started my internship, I was hesitant to ask questions. To deal with time management and adhering to the deadlines, I have started using sticky notes on my desk. IT confuses me sometimes resulting in minute errors. Secondly, I’m simultaneously working on three projects and five different tools. These are very useful and help me with my daily tasks.
I utilize my extra time and weekends to get certifications and learn tips and tricks for different tools. Online videos and certifications always have a solution to everything. As I’m not very sound with coding, it’s a little puzzling for me. The current challenge for me is to learn Python and do a project based on it.
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