Beauty and the Beast

Maarten de Witte — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:29:20 +0100

A Bit of Background…

In April 2008 at the AGS Conclave in Seattle, I had the privilege of listening to Malcolm Gladwell – best-selling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers and What the Dog Saw. During a breakout session he suggested that a change in narrative is essential if the diamond industry is to stay relevant to future generations.

Bad Service Adventure

Renee Martinez — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:13:50 +0100

My family and I were recently guests at a destination that shall remain nameless (Six Flags Great Escape Lodge - oops, was that my inside voice?!). We stayed for one night during the last week of July.

I sensed that it might not meet up the Read More...

The Mad Men Effect Filters Into Accessories

Eileen McClelland — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:21:01 +0100

In a recent webinar on what to expect from the luxury market in the latter part of 2010, Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing says men's accessories, including jewelry, are experiencing a boom.

"Men’s purchases are tied to increased interest in their own appearance," she says. "Men feel more than ever the need to up their game."

The men's fashion industry as a whole took a hit a decade ago when casual business dressing bRead More...

Metalsmith BenchTalk on BlogTalkRadio with Jay Whaley

Beth Bond — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:22:17 +0100

For all the Bench guys out there here's an interesting interview with Benjamin Mark. A setter for over 30 years Benjamin discusses life, tech geek stuff and the bench of course.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/whaleystudios/2010/08/26/metalsmith-benchtalk-on-blogtalkradio-with-jay-wha

Reduce, reduce, reduce…

Beth Bond — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:15:23 +0100

You have probably heard the new three R’s by now. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Now that you have started recycling, you may say to yourself, “Do I really need to be creating this much in recyclables?” The emphatic answer is no! How much do you spend each month on stuff that you don’t really need to? Hmmm…let’s see, a couple of bucks on Styrofoam cups, a case of paper, post it notes, garbage bags, packaging materials, plastic utensils and paper plates foRead More...

Emmy Trends: Understate It

Beth Bernstein — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:43:12 +0100

I tend to watch red carpet events in my NYC apartment, with a pen and paper to jot down notes while the pre-shows take place, when I can see the jewelry up close and when one of the actresses might mention the name of the designer she's wearing, so I can blog even before I get the info in from the associations and PR agencies.
This year, I am out in LA and forgetting the time difference, totally missed the pre-shows but did catch the arrivals for theRead More...

Good intentions

Renee Martinez — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:01:20 +0100

Have you ever hired an outside contractor? Have you been satisfied with the results? Hiring a outside contractor can provide a high level of expertise in a specific area without having to employ a full-time person. While this may seem obvious, here's something people often fail to recognize. The value that your contractor can provide is directly tied to your ability to find an equilibrium between bringing their talents forward and the degree in which you provide your own ideas on Read More...

Cat Got Your Tongue? Easy Ideas for Facebook Page Updates

Donna Jolly — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:44:20 +0100

By now, you’ve heard this saying: Facebook is like a virtual cocktail party. There are some people in your network that you know well; others you don't. One of the most written-about topics when it comes to social media, especially Facebook, is what one should write in his or her status updates. With fan pages, it becomes even more troublesome. How do you wrRead More...

If You're Doing Social Media ...

David Squires — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:52:58 +0100

... you should have something like this on your door or front window. (Picture from the NBC Universal Store in New York City.)

Groupon Brings the Mob Effect to Your Store

Ralf Kircher — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:41:22 +0100

If you haven't yet heard of Groupon.com, better have a look. It's a website with 10 million members that features daily deals at local businesses in 85 U.S. cities. Members receive an e-mail with a daily offer of discounts on products at local business, tickets to events or services at local establishments.

A minimum number of customer have to respond to the coupon for the deal to be valid, and members pay to access the deals.

A report on the Aug. 26 edition of Marketplace on NPRead More...

The first place to start? Harass your landlord!

Beth Bond — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:45:22 +0100

Most jewelry store owners might say recycling is not the place to start because they share a dumpster with the entire shopping center. Au contraire, my friend, the first place to start is recycling. Why? Well it’s easy and it actually can save your landlord some bucks. Yes, green bucks.

Beth Bond has been a community member of the InStore website since August 2009. She serves as the Marketing Director for Crown Diamond. Crown Diamond is always striving to provide customers wiRead More...

WHY CUSTOMERS BUY FROM YOU

aleah — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:37:35 +0100

Everyone wants to feel like they are getting a deal.

A groom's worst fear is that if he tells his buddies what he spent on a diamond they might say "Ah Man, you paid to much".

Tips to Help Combat Internet Shoppers

aleah — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:35:46 +0100

“But I can get it on the internet for cheaper”
Tips to help combat internet shoppers

#1 You are selling a feeling. Instead of debating symmetry or other technicalities with a customer, get them back to the basics! When are they getting married? How did they meet? Connect with the customer. Sell the feeling that the internet can’tRead More...

$20,000 to spend: Direct Mail or Billboard?

Chris Burslem — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:05:51 +0100

We had a reader pose us this question:

I’ve read — possibly in INSTORE — that you should aim to spend an amount equivalent to 5 percent of total sales as your advertising budget. For me that’s about $20,000 a year. In 2011, I also want to focus most of my ad dollars on one main medium (2011 is going to be the year I do everything right). So I’m thinking either billboard or direct mail? What do you recommend? BillboarRead More...

The Auctioneering Jeweler

Travis Piper — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:02:47 +0100

Just thought I would post a video from youtube of me auctioneering a few weeks ago. If anyone would like to do a small benefit auction or charity deal at a trade show I would be game to help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vadb1LqA89E

Benchmarking Against Peers Has Never Been More Important

Chris Burslem — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:08:01 +0100

[dropcap cap=I]t’s now been 10 months since the recession officially ended and independent jewelers seem to be in two groups: A) Those who have put the worst of slump behind them and who are warily beginning to position themselves for the next phase of the economic cycle; and B) those jewelers who are hanging in there, wondering if their tough situation is still a result of things they can’t control. [/dropcap]

This debilitating uncertainty seems toRead More...

What makes your service so special?

Maarten de Witte — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:19:27 +0100

Over the years I’ve seen lots of surveys about why customers choose to buy from a particular jewelry store. The list of reasons most often includes: selection of merchandise, value pricing, sterling reputation, knowledgeable staff, quality of service, etc. – not necessarily in that order.

If you ask most jewelers, they invariably claim that “all other things being equal” their customers remain loyal to them because oRead More...

How India’s Jewelry Week Could Put Money in Your Pockets

Ralf Kircher — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:06:50 +0100

The inaugural India International Jewellery Week wrapped up in Mumbai on Wednesday in a run-up to the international jewelry show here that lasts through Monday.

India is stressing the “international” in both events in the hopes of promoting India’s designers on the world stage and moving beyond the Indian jewelry industry’s notoriety for mass production.

The 34 runway fashion shows of jewelry wRead More...

Yes, We Deliver!

Eileen McClelland — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:46:00 +0100

Consider going the extra mile (literally) for your customers this Christmas season. Here are a few examples of jewelers who travel --- to a church, to a hotel, or even to the Bahamas -- all in the interest of providing stellar customer service.

A loyal client of King Jewelers in Aventura, FL, decided at the last minute to FINALLY pop the big question, leaving their jeweler with less than two days to custom create a masterpiece engagement ring. With little direction, but a thorough Read More...

The Key to Innovative Business Ideas: Cross-Pollination

Beth Bond — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:41:02 +0100

by Pamela Wilson

Gather round, everyone. It’s time to have “The Talk.”

You know the one I mean. You’ve started asking lots of questions and I can tell you’re ready for it, so make yourselves comfortable and let’s go over the basics. Because if you’re in business, you need to know about this. It’s crucial to your success. Mastering this technique will put a spring in your step, and bring new life to your ventures.

Plus, it&rRead More...

Are you Authenticable?

Beth Bond — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:35:16 +0100

I understand that I have picked a word that I am not quite sure how to pronounce but be patient me. Let me start by saying the major reason I am writing this at this moment is because one of my thought provokers is Scott, The Name Tag Guy. He has issued a challenge for followers to write an article about being “-able”. If you haven’t gotten a chance to know him, check out his website. I saw him speak at the InStore tradeshow recently and I confess I have become a groupie. HRead More...

Is Your Business Sustainable?

Beth Bond — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:59:29 +0100

What does Sustainability mean to you? A great deal of the time it means the ability for your company to maintain itself for a long time.

Dictionary.com had ten definitions of sustain, but here are the two that I think most people think of when they hear the word:

to support, hold, or bear up from below; bear the weight of, as a structure.
to keep up or keep going, as an action or process But in the last couple of years,

Beth Bond has been a community member of the InSRead More...

Facebook Marketing: What can it do for you?

Renee Martinez — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:20:23 +0100

What started out not so long ago as a website for college students to share photos has quickly evolved into a mega marketing opportunity for endless personal and business users worldwide. If you’ve embarked on the Facebook journey, here are some tips to tap into for better results.

There are those in business that are proactive and those who remain reactive – aka winners and losers. Case in point – in the winner’s circle: Blue Nile.

Whether you like them or not is largely beside the point. The truth is they saw an opportunity, created by what was NOT ALREADY BEING DONE, and they went for it. Ironically, most often this is termed contrarian.

From a very modest begiRead More...

What motivates staff (and staff incentives)

Raeleen Kaesehagen — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:50:41 +0100

I noticed in my Vistage group this year (a group of CEO's who meet every month) that a hot topic has been staff incentives and motivating staff.

Always a highly debated topic there's suggestions from bonuses and commission to holidays to free time or monthly events.

Interested by the topic I came across the following presentation.
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2010/07/the_surprising_truth_about_wha.php It's a fantastic presentation, and even if you're noRead More...

Never, Ever, Judge a Book by its Cover

Eileen McClelland — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:27:14 +0100

I know we hear this all the time, but as we prepare for what we hope is the holiday rush, it's still important to let inexperienced staff members know that the shopper they perceive as the most unqualifed just might surprise them.

Briana Collins of Collins Family Jewelers in San Diego, CA, still remembers the Christmas season when an elderly gentleman came in looking to buy four engraved sterling silver charm bracelets for his granddaughterRead More...

Wow! Customer Service

Eileen McClelland — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:07:57 +0100

I learned a lot researching and writing about customer service for the upcoming September issue of Instore.

Paco Underhill writes in his new book, "What Women Want: The Global Marketplace Turns Female Friendly," that women feel more comfortable buying from other women. They (we) are also drawn to an environment with curves and soft edges, spotlessly clean surroundings, attractive restrooms and large and conveniently located mirrors.

Another book I perused for this article wRead More...

Don't Let Your Customers Get TOO Creative With Proposals

Eileen McClelland — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:02:17 +0100

$9,000 Engagement Ring Lost During Proposal

Reporting
Success in the diamond business comes from working close to the source. As stated in my recent posts, there is a huge supply of diamonds ready to be mined that is already above the ground – in the jewelry boxes of your customers, right in your own backyard. The tricky part is going out of your ordinary way to get access.

It is certainly déclassé and most likely counterproductive to put a big poster Read More...

HOW-TO: Twitter Part 2

Renee Martinez — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:35:16 +0100

First thing I forgot to mention in the previous article is that there is a distinction between a "follower" on Twitter and a "friend" on Facebook.

A Facebook friend - is more like a real friend, you can read about one another and seeRead More...

Twitter Basics

Renee Martinez — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:02:37 +0100

So yesterday I wrote about the plan in relation to social media. Today I bring you Twitter. I see many of you on Twitter so I hope this will be handy for you.

Again, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of understanding your goals with all of this.

Trend Again?

Beth Bernstein — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:06:32 +0100

In my 18 years in the jewelry business, I have seen only a handful of items influence an entire industry from high to low and everything in between. The Tiffany heart charm bracelet (which produced more incarnations--read: knock offs-- than one would imagine) and also provided the hot seller in department stores for so many years that the product development teams were hoping for another item to replace it, similar to how Samuel Beckett's characters were "Waiting for Read More...

In Search of a Meaningful Licensee

Beth Bernstein — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:39:52 +0100

As women throughout the US prepare for the opening of the film, Eat Pray, Love, starring Julia Roberts and based on Elizabeth Gilbert's best selling book, watch for the Los Angeles- based company, Dogeared's collection of jewelry and accessories to hit stores throughout the US. The collection consists of primarily jewelry but also includes bags journals and bookmarks. This product venture is a licensed partnership Read More...

A Dilemma in Diamonds...

Maarten de Witte — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:57:31 +0100

News flash!!! Lots of people are selling back their gold these days – and many jewelers have stayed profitable by responding. The reason seems simple enough – "it's the economy, stupid". It sure doesn’t hurt that gold prices are at all time highs as well.

What about diamonds? Aren't they also steadily increasing in value? And, don’t our best clients have some diamonds in their jewelry boxes that theRead More...

Social media plan

Renee Martinez — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:57:42 +0100

By now you're aware of social media and likely understand that it can have an impact on your business, but are you implementing effective strategies that will give you payback?

Unfortunately, social media being as new as it is, is stillRead More...

The Emperor is Naked...

Maarten de Witte — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:36:35 +0100

So said the boy, who remains unnamed in the classic fable The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen. We all remember the story about nobody wanting to speak up at the risk of appearing "stupid or incompetent". Not even the Emperor himself could see his invisible cloak, because he so desperately wanted hang onto his fantasy rather than face the obvious truth.

How might this parable apply to the diamond business?

I've been listening to a never-ending litanyRead More...

Next Time You're in Vegas, Stop by Zappos

Ralf Kircher — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:24:01 +0100

Here's something else for your Las Vegas to-do list next year: Take a tour of Internet shoe giant Zappos. The company, which was named by Forbes as one of the top 100 to work for, is offering free tours of its quirky headquarters in Henderson, NV, which includes such sights as the Chair of Royalty. Or for $47, you get a 30-minute Q&A session during which you can ask more operational-type questions.

Might be worth the trip to see what sort of tips you can pick up for your busiRead More...

Tumblr Bumblr

Ralf Kircher — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:09:11 +0100

I remember when we first told readers about Twitter two years ago or so. We scoffed at the name, mocked the idea, scorned the notion, made fun of anyone who'd use it ...

All right, so we were wrong in assessing its popularity — no matter how much there is still to scoff at with all things Twitter.

So in the same spirit of spreading the word about emerging ways of getting your marketing words out there, you should likely familiarize yourself with the name Tumblr, which the Read More...

Buyer's remorse

Renee Martinez — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:26:20 +0100

Normally, I'm a confident shopper. I see what I like and have no problem buying it if it fits my needs and budget. I have a weakness for accessories. Can't get enough shoes. Love jewelry (of course!) and since I wear glasses, I'm all over a fabulous pair for every occasion. I seldom buy something and feel badly that I did.

Until last week.

A few weeks ago, I went to get a pair of my son's glasses repaired at a nearby optical store I frequent. I fell in love with an amazingRead More...

Something Old meets Something New

Beth Bernstein — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:00:40 +0100

At the JA SHOW New York Summer Show, the over-riding message was something old reinterpreted into something new.

Inspirations ranged from ancient coins, intaglios and sealing wax motifs and carved lava to Victorian locket inspired statement pendants, thin cuff bracelets.

Choo Yilin, in the new designer gallery explains "we are trying to make jadRead More...

Gregore Morin Named New Jewelry Designer of the Year

Eileen McClelland — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:06:52 +0100

NEW YORK -- Gregore Morin, designer and goldsmith, has been a jeweler for 30 years. Still, he says he was surprised to win the JA Mort Abelson New Jewelry Designer of the Year Award this week, marking the first time he exhibited at JA New York. He was even more surprised -- shocked, in fact -- that he won the AJDC's New Talent Competition to land the booth in JA to begin with. "I didn't expect it," he says.

Morin worked for years as a jeweler for Silverhorn Jewellers in Santa Barbara, Read More...

What's your marketing attitude?

Renee Martinez — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:20:04 +0100

Did you know that most businesses will get 80% of their sales from 20% of their customers? This is why it’s important to know exactly who those 20% are and focus your marketing efforts on that segment.

The following is a response to a CAD service provider who was asking about the future of CAD in jewelry stores and if that is the future.

Providing custom fine jewelry created by CAD in jewelry stores was the future many years ago. As a fellow CAD service provider with double digit years of experience, I was able to ride the technological wave that brought CAD to the small mom and pop shops. It Read More...

Website Confusion

Renee Martinez — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:57:59 +0100

I was meeting with a client about a series of postcards we're working on when he enthusiastically spun his laptop around to show me an image from his website. I couldn't help myself any longer. It's been a long time coming and his love for his website is clearly clouding his judgement.

It's ugly and outdated...nothing to rave about.

This is not a new subject between him and I, but one I've previously and ever so gingerly touched on. I know how much he loves this site and IRead More...

One More time....Baby Boomers Reign Supreme!

Sheldon Marks — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:12:08 +0100

For want of sounding like a broken record, for more than a year I have been one of the few voices in the wind decrying the marketing value of our "aging" Baby Boomer population segment.
Maybe you will start listening to what I have to say now that the revered research firm AC Nielsen published a report today underscoring all that I have been preaching. Here are a few excerpts:

Conventional wisdom is they spend little, resist technology and slow to adapt to new products. All of this needs toRead More...

One More Time. Boomers Reign Supreme!

Sheldon Marks — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:10:10 +0100

For want of sounding like a broken record, for more than a year I have been one of the few voices out there in blogdom decrying the marketing value of our "aging" Baby Boomer population segment.
Maybe you will start listening to what I have to say now that the revered research firm AC Nielsen published a report today underscoring all that I have been preaching. Here are a few excerpts:

Conventional wisdom is they spend little, resist technology and slow to adapt to new products. All of thiRead More...

The Top 10 Marketing Things To Do in July

Beth Bond — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:26:37 +0100

So it’s hot for most of us. People are on vacation, at the pool or staying inside where it’s cool. So what’s the best use of your time while you wait for school to begin again? Well it’s a great time to plan your Fall/Holiday marketing strategies. If you have a marketing/PR company handling this kind of work, then plan a detailed work session with them. Have them come in and spend the day creating your marketing agenda for the next six months. OtherwiRead More...

What One Thing Do You Want to Know About Your Fellow Jewelers?

Chris Burslem — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:19:44 +0100

In the first week of August we’ll be launching our latest Big Survey. As with the past three, our goal is ambitious: We want to know just about everything there is to know about the independent jeweler in North America. In the past we’ve asked about how he was coping with the recession, what kind of equipment he had in the shop, how much he paid in rent, what he watched on television (Survey 2009), the most regrettable thing he’d eRead More...

Blog entries

Your Website on TV Screens?

Branding