The only thing I liked on HSN was Wolfgang Puck selling cookware. He was funny and engaging. He gave you recipes. Even if you didn't want to buy anything, you could watch Wolfgang for an hour.
Too many people who come in as CEO of a poorly performing company assume that none of the incumbent executives are worth retaining. That's not always the case. Sometimes the talent is there, but it's not being led well.
I started at HSN in May of 2006, and by October, we had rolled out a new brand image, a new tagline, a new vision statement, a new customer manifesto, and new advertising.
I believe you have to get rid of toxicity in any company. Don't care how smart, how talented, how long they have been there. If someone is going to create a toxic environment, you have to make a change.
I'm willing to lose profits in the short term.
We are always focused on how can we differentiate ourselves. In today's world, where people are gravitating toward experiences, it is even more important.
We have to focus on what we can do. It has to be about experience; it has to be about unique product. It has to be about delivering our content as broadly as we can, and that's been a huge effort on our part.
When people want to lose weight, they get to a point where they are desperate and looking for the new thing that is going to work miracles. But at the end of the day, there is no such thing.
I've been 35 lbs. heavier than I am now and 25 lbs. thinner than I am now, and both of those times were probably the most miserable times of my life. I'm happier now, because it is about being healthy, not weighing yourself.
All children, regardless of their income, ethnicity, or geography have the right to be protected and be given the opportunity to reach their full potential, which is why our global HSNi Cares partner is the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
We all work really hard, and we do it because we're passionate. We don't do it because we're being rated. However, we'd all be remiss if we didn't think that some kind of recognition for efforts and accomplishments didn't make you feel good.
Ultimately, the ability to inspire people to live healthier and happier lives is what excites me both personally and professionally.
I don't care what we're quote-unquote selling; we're about inspiring people through storytelling.
It seemed like I woke up one morning and had an epiphany. I thought, 'I cannot do this. I do not want to get married. And I'm not going to law school - it just doesn't excite me. I'm not wasting anybody's money. I'm going to move to New York.'
I get as excited walking around a CVS as I do walking around in Bergdorf's.
When I first started at HSN, I knew that retailers would have to be poised to take advantage of technology and the rapidly changing ways in which people shop. It was one of the things that drew me to the company.
I firmly believe in the old adage 'Actions speak louder than words.' This means proactively seeking women for roles within boards, identifying opportunities for diversity within teams, and finding ways to use your platform to mentor women - and then encourage them to do the same.
I am thrilled to join Weight Watchers and lead the next phase of the company's transformation.
Our ability to create that one-on-one engagement with a customer is a point of differentiation and a strategic advantage for us.
Everybody is talking about cord cutting. It's not about the cord. It's the content.
