The Legend We Created Together, Amore - AMORE STORIES - ENGLISH
#Jangwon's Centenary
2024.10.30
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The Legend We Created Together, Amore

Jangwon was the kind of leader who had to be in the field,
sharing the difficult times with all others, checking everything with his own eyes,
and solving problems one the spot.

 

 

Jangwon and Pacific had long paved the way for better distribution and logistics in the cosmetic industry, but conventional distribution channels had clear limitations. Sensing the end of the era of the designated sales store system and Pacific Cosmetics Sales Corp., which was dubbed "the first distribution revolution," Jangwon decided it was time to move into new markets. His next focus was the “Door-to-Door Sales."
This method, already an established practice both globally and in Korea, seemed poised for success, provided the less than positive image of door-to-door sales staff could be overcome. Jangwon analyzed the existing door-to-door selling program with sharp insight and identified three key elements: products, organization, and manpower. The concrete solutions he devised to build Pacific’s unique solutions were indeed solid. First, the development of a brand exclusively for door-to-door sales; second, building and expanding a network that could cover all the markets like a net; and third the recruitment of a well-trained group of outstanding sales staff. These were the solutions Jangwon derived with his keen sense of insight as he intertwined the Pacific with door-to-door sales.

 

 

Door-to-Door Sales in Progress

 

 

In those days, there was an Italian song that was very popular with people and it went,
“Amore,amore,amore mio …”
It meant, “Love, love, my love.”
And it was a word easy to say and had an appealing meaning.

 

 

As the saying goes, "Your name precedes you," and a name can indeed play a significant role in the life of a person or organization. Unlike the names of Pacific’s products, which had always originated from Jangwon’s own creative mind, the name for the exclusive door-to-door sales brand was chosen through a company-wide contest. It was something that had never happened before. The birth of something new, and the naming of it, was entrusted to the employees who cherished Pacific. The selected same name, proposed independently by Wonsik Oh from the R&D Center and Woonchae Baek from a branch in Daejeon, was "Amore," meaning "Love."
Love, an emotion that fosters good health and beautifies our spirits, seemed to resonate with Jangwon’s lifelong dedication to beauty and healthy living. The name not only evoked a gentle sense of sweetness and rolled off the tongue easily but also carried mass appeal, being the title of a popular title song on a movie soundtrack at the time. As the Amore brand began to expand, it made its presence known in the cosmetic industry with a readiness that spoke volumes. Jangwon sensed that a second distribution network was about to open up and that something was beginning to stir beyond it. His heart was imbued with dynamic excitement.

The establishment of Amore’s sales network was meticulously measured. Jangwon subdivided the entire country according to administrative districts, ensuring thorough coverage, which demonstrated just how seriously he took the door-to-door sales network. Jangwon never did anything at Pacific without careful consideration. This was evident even in the creation of "Block Maps" by each sales staff, who marked all households within her territory and assigned numbers to them.
Despite the considerable time and effort required, Jangwon pursued the world of door-to-door sales through a step-by-step approach. The meticulousness of this effort was such that, according to Yisoo Sohn, who oversaw the creation of the block maps, “When the information about all the households of the country was made available in the form of a database, the national intelligence agency from the government tried to use it to nab North Korean spies.” It was this level of detailed effort that made Amore’s world even stronger and more interconnected.

 

 

Door-to-Door Sales and Block Maps

 

 

“It’s me I’m from Amore.”

 

 

Jangwon’s cool-headed judgment and bold actions were always rooted in warmth. That warmth stemmed from his trust in people. As he meticulously built Amore’s distribution network, Jangwon recognized that the sales staff would be a critical element. Since they were the ones who interacted directly with customers, he understood that they would play a significant role in shaping Amore’s image. In the 1960s, the most highly regarded quality in women was modesty. It was a time when only women who were good homemakers were respected, and women participating in social activities often faced disapproval.
Yet, it was also a period when the devastation left by war made women’s involvement in society inevitable. Jangwon focused on his outreach efforts on women who had lost their husbands during the war. Meeting these "war widows or single mothers" women who were marked by determination and an active, proactive attitude toward life, presented Amore with a clear opportunity and synergy. Before engaging with these women, Jangwon collaborated with the wives of female teachers, leaders of various organizations for females, and highly educated women to soften the image of door-to-door sales and pave the way forward.
It was a time when the negative perception of door-to-door sales staff began to shift positively, aligning with the gentle reverberations of the word "Amore." "Yes, it’s me, I’m from Amore." With those words, even the most firmly locked doors would magically open. Jangwon nurtured Amore with careful, hands-on attention, just as one would care for a precious newborn life.

The 1960s and 1970s at Pacific were so closely linked with Amore that the era could be named after the brand. The success of the door-to-door sales model not only solidified Amore’s presence but also elevated the entire Korean cosmetics industry to new heights. From the moment the brand name was chosen, through the establishment of the sales network, to the point when salespeople were knocking on doors and entering customers’ homes, it was all powered by the strength of people. Jangwon believed that door-to-door sales would shine because of this accumulated power. The journey of door-to-door sales, illuminated by Jangwon’s leadership, which guided the combined strength of the Pacific, is often dubbed the "legend we created together."

 

 

 
 
 

Employee Enthusiasm Marks Amore's 77th Anniversary, the First Celebrated Since the End of the Pandemic

 

 

 

 

Editor’s Epilogue
Whom to Trust and How to Trust

Think back to a time when you were faced with a challenging task and wondered, "Can I do this?" What made you decide whether to give up or push forward? For Jangwon, one of the most crucial elements in the success of a project was the strong bond between the people involved. To build trust among colleagues, earn the respect of superiors, and maintain credibility with the company, Jangwon never neglected to pay attention to the lives of those around him. The attitudes and atmosphere among the team were important. Just as we draw strength from a colleague who rolls up their sleeves and says, "Let’s do this together," rather than from someone who sighs in the seat next to us, Jangwon focused on carefully guiding everyone so that they could move forward with a united spirit toward their goals.
The solid trust that lifted "Amore" to a higher level in door-to-door sales was undoubtedly a significant factor in its success. Whatever the task, it is essential to strengthen your inner self and build your knowledge. Equally important is the mutual trust you cultivate with those around you. Remembering that synergy in a collaborative world arises from trust, you will naturally become warmer and more open to those who walk this path with you.

 

 

 

 

Written and photographed by Juyoun Lee (Sanchaekbang)

Managed by Around

Revised critical edition by SuRyuSanBang

Planning and coordination Amorepacific Communications Team

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