Recognize Your Salespeople, Target Those Tax Rebates, and More Manager’s Tasks for May

May 4-10

MANAGEMENT Salespeople are pleasers, says sales trainer Shane Decker, so instant recognition is a higher motivator than money. “If I did something that pleased you, and you recognize it, I’m far more likely to do it again,” he says. Look to recognize successes in this pre-Mother’s Day week.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING Based on the last few years and depending on where you live in the country, there’s a good chance you’ll see some wild weather soon. Take advantage of National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 1-7) to make sure you’re as ready as possible. The National Weather Service has a list of things you can do here: weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan

May 11-17

INVENTORY Pre-Vegas clearance sales begin in earnest. What can be scrapped? What can be bundled? What pieces would make suitable charity gifts? Which long-term resident in your vaults should earn your salespeople the biggest reward?

PLANNING Coming into 60 days of Q2, update your calendar for Q3 and Q4, including event dates, blackout dates, and what will be the overall plan for the holiday season.

MERCHANDISING Reel in the tax rebates: Create a display of jewelry items that fall into the $100 to $300 range and promote them. That’s close to the sweet spot for fine fashion jewelry

May 18-24

BUYING The big shows get closer with every week (JCK Vegas starts June 5). This year, you are going to be organized and professional in front of your vendors with properly prepared reports and forms. Start setting up vendor appointments — don’t count on “swinging by.”

PACKAGING Review your packaging materials and identify areas for expense optimization. Research different suppliers. Consider taking your packaging to upcoming trade shows to get a quote from the companies exhibiting there, suggests store consultant Megan Crabtree.

May 25-31

MARKETING Your best customers are your current customers. Identify your 200 top customers. Draft a plan to market to them in the second half of 2025.

STAFFING Give some thought to recruiting college or high-school students as summer help, and how you’ll deploy them. Do not be afraid to give them some responsibility — working on cleaning up your mailing lists, retagging, etc.

INVENTORY Get that summer jewelry (colored fashion jewelry, silver items, etc.) where people can see it. How about setting up a display near the front door to encourage impulse buys? Friendship bracelets have been gaining in popularity in recent years. Could you install a smart-looking display near the cash register?