Press Releases

Jewelry Executives Study “Disruptive Innovation” During GIA Leadership Program at Harvard

Published

8 years ago

July 14, 2016

INSTORE Staff

(Press Release)
CARLSBAD, CA – For the third year in a row, GIA’s Global Leadership Program at Harvard Business School (HBS) in Cambridge, MA brought together senior leaders from the gem and jewelry industry for a custom four-day curriculum based on the HBS case study method.

The 2016 theme “Disruptive Innovation” focused on innovation in a rapidly evolving world. The program took place from June 20-23 with 45 executives from 14 countries and 15 industry sectors including retail, manufacturing, mining and cutting.

“This extraordinary educational program creates a unique platform for thought-leaders in the gem and jewelry industry to exchange ideas, examine opportunities and debate solutions for the challenges that lie ahead,” says Susan Jacques, president and CEO of GIA.

Among the case studies covered during this year’s program were the evolution of the Dove brand, how Uber has changed the way the world moves and Amazon’s innovation in a digital economy.

The program facilitated an environment to “come together with a group of passionate, diverse and intelligent people and engage in some very thought provoking discussions,” said one participant.

GIA, in conjunction with HBS, initiated the program in 2014 to bring together global leaders representing different sectors of the gem and jewelry industry to examine issues faced by international businesses and apply the learnings of other industries to their own. The program also provides a networking opportunity for senior executives, building bridges between different sectors of the global gem and jewelry supply chain.

GIA will hold its next global leadership program at HBS in June 2017. Participation is limited and by invitation only.

Retiring? Let Wilkerson Do the Heavy Lifting

Retirement can be a great part of life. As Nanji Singadia puts it, “I want to retire and enjoy my life. I’m 78 now and I just want to take a break.” That said, Nanji decided that the best way to move ahead was to contact the experts at Wilkerson. He chose them because he knew that closing a store is a heavy lift. To maximize sales and move on to the next, best chapter of his life, he called Wilkerson—but not before asking his industry friends for their opinion. He found that Wilkerson was the company most recommended and says their professionalism, experience and the homework they did before the launch all helped to make his going out of business sale a success. “Wilkerson were working on the sale a month it took place,” he says. “They did a great job.”