AVON’s general manager for Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania, Vladimir Borachev, visited AUBG Thursday, January 5, and gave what he called a “free marketing lesson.” Borachev and two of his colleagues talked to AUBG-ers about direct marketing, job opportunities and how to get through uneasy times.

During the recession, selling without intermediaries—direct marketing—not only brings increasing profits to companies, but also gives people a chance to earn additional income, Borachev said. He gave as an example the Great Depression, when the company launched new products right after the market crashed.

From the current crisis, Borachev expects challenges in the motivation of employees. “We expect hard times, but net sales and number of representatives will grow this year,” he said.

Borachev said that there are two scenarios for the crisis to develop: in the first one, the recession has not even started yet, in the other, it will be over in a year. “I don’t know which one is correct,” he said. He mentioned, however, that luckily companies in our part of the world are young and flexible, and do not depend much on credits.

Currently, AVON does not have any long-term internship programs, but the summer trainee program that started last year proved to be successful and AVON will consider continuing it. Borachev assured that people with a sense of humor and a “human touch” will easily integrate in the company.  “The average age in the company is 27, we are a very fun and dynamic team,” he said.