Background
Victor Kiam was born on December 7, 1926, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He was a son of Victor Kermit Kiam, a bond dealer, and Nanon (Newman) Kiam, an actress. Victor's parents divorced, when he was four.
180 Main St, Andover, MA 01810, United States
In his early years, Victor attended Phillips Academy in Andover.
University of Paris (Sorbonne), Paris, France
In 1949, Kiam received a certificate in languages from the University of Paris (Sorbonne).
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
In 1948, Kiam received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.
Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts 02163, United States
In 1951, Victor attained a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.
180 Main St, Andover, MA 01810, United States
In his early years, Victor attended Phillips Academy in Andover.
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
In 1948, Kiam received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.
University of Paris (Sorbonne), Paris, France
In 1949, Kiam received a certificate in languages from the University of Paris (Sorbonne).
Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts 02163, United States
In 1951, Victor attained a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.
(The author describes his experiences in management and pr...)
The author describes his experiences in management and provides guidance on starting, organizing and managing a business.
https://www.amazon.com/Going-How-Succeed-As-Entrepreneur/dp/0688060609
1986
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Going-Living-Life-Entrepreneur/dp/000215403X
1988
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060162619/?tag=2022091-20
1989
administrator entrepreneur author
Victor Kiam was born on December 7, 1926, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He was a son of Victor Kermit Kiam, a bond dealer, and Nanon (Newman) Kiam, an actress. Victor's parents divorced, when he was four.
In his early years, Victor attended Phillips Academy in Andover, where he was a classmate of future United States President George Herbert Walker Bush. Later, he entered Yale University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. Then, Kiam continued his education at the University of Paris (Sorbonne), where he received a certificate in languages in 1949. In 1951, Victor attained a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.
Also, he was a recipient of honorary law doctorates from New Hampshire College and George Washington University.
During the period from 1944 till 1947, Kiam served in the United States Navy. Later, in 1951, Victor began a short stint at Lever Brothers company, serving first as a salesperson and then as a marketing director. He remained there until 1955, when he began working as a regional sales manager at International Latex Corporation (Playtex). During his tenure at the company, Kiam was a president of Sarong (subsidiary of Playtex) and an executive vice president of marketing for Playtex. He left Playtex in 1968.
In 1968, Kiam bought the Benrus Watch Company (now known as Benrus), serving as its president until 1971. Between 1971 and 1977, he held the post of a chair of the company.
Later, Kiam made a fortune as the president, chair and CEO of Remington Products, which he famously purchased in 1979 after his wife bought him his first electric shaver. His purchase of Remington is considered an early example of a leveraged buyout. Victor was not only an administrator of the company, but also its spokesman. His catchphrase, "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company", made him a household name. He recorded each commercial in the native language of the country, in which it was broadcast. Also, Kiam appeared in different British television shows, such as Wogan, The Tube and Through the Keyhole, that made him popular in the United Kingdom.
In 1988, Kiam bought the New England Patriots, a professional American football team and was its owner until 1992, when he sold the team. The same year, in 1992, Kiam sold 50% of Remington Products to Isaac Perlmutter. However, Kiam remained the chairman of Remington until his death.
During his lifetime, Victor was also the owner of other companies, including "PIC Industrial Design", "TravelSmart" and "Lady Remington" jewelry. The latter was later renamed "Lia Sophia" after Kiam's granddaughters - Lia and Sophia.
Victor Kiam was known as a successful businessman. As the owner and spokesman of Remington Products, he revived the company, doubling its sales and its share of the electric razor market. Also, widely seen television commercials, in which Kiam personally touted his product’s virtues, brought him great fame. Victor became widely known after appearing in a series of television advertisements, in which he proclaimed, "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company."
Kiam also authored two popular autobiographical books on succeeding in business - "Going for It!" (1986) and "Keep Going for It!" (1988).
During his lifetime, Victor received numerous awards, including the American Heritage Award in 1987, United States Savings Bonds Award in 1988, Corporate Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1997, among others.
Also, in 1982, Kiam was named a National Business and Commerce Father of the Year by the National Father’s Day Council. In 1987, he was named an Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year by the University of Southern California School of Business Administration, as well as an International Marketing Executive of the Year. In 1989, he became an Entrepreneur of the Year in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. The following year, in 1990, Kiam was inducted into National Sales Hall of Fame.
(The author describes his experiences in management and pr...)
1986
Quotations:
"I was so impressed, I bought the company."
"Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward."
"Never be associated with someone you can't be proud of, whether you work for him or he works for you."
"In business, the competition will bite you if you keep running; if you stand still, they will swallow you."
"Procrastination is opportunity's assassin."
"Though negotiations are a rough game, you should never allow them to become a dirty game. Once you've agreed to a deal, don't back out of it unless the other party fails to deliver as promised. Your handshake is your bond. As far as I'm concerned, a handshake is worth more than a signed contract. As an entrepreneur, a reputation for integrity is your most valuable commodity. If you try to put something over on someone, it will come back to haunt you."
"I believe one of the most important priorities is to do whatever we do as well as we can."
"You should think of your customers as partners, or better still, family."
Victor was a member of numerous organizations, including Young Presidents Organization, Institute of Directors London, Century Country Club (White Plains), Palm Beach Polo Club, Regency Whist Club (New York City), St. James Club (London), United States Tennis Association and others.
Victor married Ellen Lipscher on November 26, 1956. Their marriage produced three children - Lisa Lyons Durkin, Victor "Tory" Kiam III and Robin Kiam Aviv. Also, Victor had seven grandchildren.
