June 29-July 5
STRATEGY Conduct a strategic review of the year’s first half. Given that from Q3 onwards you’ll likely start thinking about the turn of the year, this is “the last opportunity you’ll have to introduce new initiatives you’d like to achieve this year or to re-inject enthusiasm into those initiatives that have somewhat fallen by the wayside,” notes store consultant Megan Crabtree.
MARKETING Try doing something outdoorsy for a change this summer — maybe a tent sale or even a sidewalk sale for cheaper items.
July 6-12
OPERATIONS Need a slow season project? Send out personalized videos of new jewelry, recommends Bill Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, AR.
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INVENTORY POS systems are great, but managing by data can sometimes put distance between you and your inventory. Get reacquainted. Spend time moving stuff around and looking carefully at all your jewelry. You’re bound to come across pieces that will fit perfectly with something a customer recently bought.
July 13-19
FINANCES In these uncertain times, it would be prudent to figure out how you can quickly get extremely cost efficient and conserve cash. Work closest with your most important vendors.
INTELLIGENCE Open a “Spy File.” Begin collecting information about competitors, including ads, promotions, media mentions and whatever anyone on staff overhears on the street. Not only do you want to know how they’ll be approaching the holidays this year, but amid tighter economic times, you want to stay on top of any shifts in the local competitive environment in case opportunities arise.
July 20-26
REPAIRS Go through finished repairs for jobs that haven’t been picked up. Then the day before payday, call the owners and suggest they come and pick up the piece (while they’ve still got the cash).
BENCH Review the services you offer with a particular focus on return on effort. If watch repair or another service is draining resources for little reward, you may want to consider rationalizing your offerings to a more manageable set.
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OPERATIONS Are there some summer days when you show up and just pretend to work? This month, experiment with an abbreviated week. Knowing you have less time in the store to get things done my just prompt a burst of productivity — and give you the chance to better enjoy the warm months. More happiness all round.
July 27-Aug. 2
COLLATERAL Redo your receipts, order forms, job tickets, and invoices to make them more “friendly.” Your repair pricing guide may be a customer’s first introduction to your store; it should look as good as the jewelry in your display cases.
