Rising To The Challenge: Strategic Leadership at a Beauty Giant in Turbulent Times

The global beauty industry has been undergoing revolutionary transformation during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Against a backdrop of industry consolidation, digitalisation, and fundamental behavioural changes among consumers, the 149-year-old Japan-based Shiseido Group has had to swiftly adapt its brand portfolio and business strategy to the rapidly evolving business, competitor, and consumer environment.

Among the recent strategic moves made by Shiseido were the acquisition of Drunk Elephant, a rising star in the prestige skincare category, and the sale of its mass personal care business. In addition, Shiseido has been accelerating capability development in areas like digital and e-commerce, and preparing employees to acquire skills of the future.

As the first female and Singaporean regional CEO of Shiseido Asia Pacific and an industry veteran with more than 20 years’ management experience at other beauty companies, Nicole Tan (NBS B.Bus. Class of 1997) will share her wisdom and insights into the dynamics of the global beauty industry, and leadership success factors in this period of unprecedented change.