Coach’s Corner: Is Your Business Open to Change?

How can our jewelry industry, which doesn’t adapt to “new” ways easily (trust me, I know this industry), reshape itself in this unknown, scary time? 

How do we adopt new ways of, for example, buying from a vendor, selling to a retail customer, educating our staff and/or attending jewelry shows (or not)?

I would suggest that in order to confront the rapidly evolving world around us, you need to have a system in place to adapt with the changes. 

And you need to be open to change like never before. 

Look for new technologies and be open to new ways of selling and new products that work in this new place in which we find ourselves. 

It’s not going to be business as usual when we “open up,” not for you or your customers. 

You need to ask yourself: How are you going to attract your customers back in your store? 

Your customers have gotten use to virtual meetings, working from home and buying everything online. So, what’s the pull going to be?

It’s no secret the world has been changing before our eyes. Our industry is a global industry and depends on worldwide business. 

So, then, how do you find the best way to handle these changes? To make sure you, and your stores and businesses, can hit any curve balls that come their way?

As a marketing expert, coach and trainer for more than 30 years in the jewelry industry, I’ve witnessed the implementation of many frameworks, brands and sales methodologies to launch new products, expand or simply keep companies afloat during tough times. 

I remember when ArtCarved sold the Keepsake name to Walmart and everyone thought that would kill the diamond business, when the big-box stores were going to take over the mom-and-pop shops and put them all out of business.

There are many more stories and industry events we have all endured. 

What I’ve found is that those who approach their businesses with a rigid system often buckle under the shifting currents. They don’t last. 
But there is one simple thing we can do, and it won’t cost you anything. 

The best way to handle an evolving world in this unprecedented time is with a system built around just that: evolution, being open to new ideas and being flexible.

An agile approach is one designed to keep you limber and able to roll with the tides of