Ask the Author
Ask the Author gives you the chance to exchange business ideas and comments on the state of luxury retailing with Ira Neimark.
As Chairman and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman, Ira Neimark set records for the company over the 17 years of his leadership. He also distinguished himself in top management and merchandising posts at Neiman Marcus Group, B. Altman, Fox, Gladdings and Bonwit Teller.
Ira Neimark’s recent lectures on business strategies and the new luxury retailing landscape have been to students at Columbia Business School, Fashion Institute of Technology, and New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he is scheduled to return in Fall 2007. He has also addressed The Luxury Marketing Council and The Executive Forum, an affiliate of the NYU School of Business.
Ira Neimark is a Director of The Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation and Hermes of Paris, and was Adjunct Professor of Retail Marketing at the Columbia University Business School. Italy and France awarded him the prestigious Cavaliere Della Republica and the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters, respectively, as well as the Medal of the City of Paris.
(Note: The first blog entry will be October 19, and will probably begin with something like: I’ve just returned from the Barry Kaye College of Business at Florida Atlantic University, where I gave a lecture on…)
Hi-I do not wish to have this published on your website. I thoroughly, enjoyed your book. It reminded me when I was younger and I would periodically correspond with Stanley Marcus who helped guide my career and now my daughter’s career through his letters.
I did want to point out that you attribute the quote in #135 on page 287 to President Kennedy when it was Woodrow Wilson who said it. It is one of my favorite quotes. One of the many keys to my success is surrounding myself with a brain trust. Not many people are able or willing to do this…
Thanks for your insightful book. Although, I miss the days when I could go to Bergdorfs and find a dress on the dress floor…
Best,
Janice
[reply this comment]
Comment by Janice — January 25, 2012 @ 9:10 am
Dear Mr. Neimark,
Thank you for coming to speak in Professor Mark Cohen’s class at Columbia Business School earlier this week. I found the talk very insightful and will cherish your lessons learned in hopes that I can apply them in my future career.
One of the lessons that you discussed with us is to “take every opportunity.” In light of this, I am hoping to discuss with you one recent potential opportunity that crossed my path. Proenza Schouler (http://www.proenzaschouler.com/) a womenswear and accessories brand founded in 2002 posted an internship opportunity at Columbia looking for a MBA student to help them conduct a study on Chinese commerce and retail trends. This job is an ideal match for me since I have done similar work when I interned at Apple Retail last year. And I’m seeking for additional opportunities such as this.
Two questions for you:
1. I am interested in exploring the intersection of luxury retailing and Asia. May I ask for your assistance in connecting me to someone you would recommend who plays in this space?
2. Would you happen to have any contacts at Proenza Schouler or know anyone who might have contacts there? They are a new brand and fairly small right now so I understand if you may not be aware of them.
Thank you for any assistance you can provide.
Mr. Neimark, what a great pleasure to listen to your talk this week. It’s not in every class that we can learn from a great businessman’s 60 years of experience.
Kind regards,
Liza Lee
MBA Student, Columbia Business School
LLee12@gsb.columbia.edu
917-482-6181
[reply this comment]
Comment by Liza Lee — February 9, 2012 @ 11:26 pm