Promote From Within

Catalog company L.L. Bean is known for cross-training its top performers and promoting from within. For example, the company's former chief merchandising officer began his career on the retail store's sales floor. He then went on to become a buyer, assistant product manager, senior product manager, director of product development, vice president of creative, senior vice president and general manager of men's business, chief merchandising officer and member of the board of directors. This, after a nearly 30-year career with the company.