Since February 2019, the AMV Camp programme has united and trained American Vintage employees with a focus on shared values. Because, in order to progress as a company, the teams must join together. At the head of this new training programme, Audrey Lankester talks to us about her job and the challenges that she faces.
AMV Camp? What is it exactly?
I’m in charge of a team of 15 American Vintage diehards who listen to, recruit, integrate and train employees. The important thing to understand is that, beyond the aim to create a strong recruitment and training pool, we want to develop a shared base in which the brand’s history, human values and social progress are shared, respected and enhanced. A lot of this is based on listening to each other: our projects often come from the people who join us and who look at American Vintage with fresh eyes or those who have been with us for several years and who have ideas for the brand.
That’s quite a programme! What’s your average day like?
The week always starts with a meeting with the “product” teams, who have experience on the field, in stores or showrooms. Their feedback helps us to correct any problems and continuously learn. The rest of the week is full and busy: store visits, recruitment cycles, social media… We are notably developing our LinkedIn communication with very concrete videos that show what each position does every day.
What is your vision of the company of tomorrow?
I think that it’s important to approach our jobs in a more modern way. Right now, I’m working on training content that is accessible online. It’s much simpler than organizing a workshop. I also encourage our employees to share their skills with each other. If one of us is great at Excel, for example, he or she can teach those of us who are having trouble and who want to improve. It’s free, it builds better relationships and it’s great for all of us.
What are your projects for 2020?
Push American Vintage’s environmental commitments as much as possible. Hand out reusable water bottles, use organic cotton… This is important. It drives all of us and it’s the challenge of the future. A company that is more committed to the planet is, by definition, more committed to its employees as well.
AMV Journal is a space dedicated to encounters, discovery and travel. Every week, explore the musts, portraits and inspirations of American Vintage and its creation studio.