Sales Truths: If You Never Fail, You Never Learn.

Published

13 years ago

April 28, 2011

Dave Richardson

WHY IT’S TRUE: When a Chrysler employee made an error that cost the company $1 million, he tried to resign. Lee Iacocca would not accept the resignation, saying: “ You can’t resign! I just spent $1 million training you.”

PLAN OF ACTION: Relying on the same old ways might feel comfortable, but it’s a sure path toward stagnation. While risk-taking is good, recklessness is not. Before you dive into a new idea, check it for reasonableness. Run new creative ideas by people who have your best interests in mind, your staff, other close non-competing jewelry store owners whose opinions you value, and maybe even a customer or two. Regardless of whether you succeed or not, you’ll be wiser and richer in experience. — DAVE RICHARDSON, JEWELRY SALES TRAINING

[span class=note]This story is from the May 2011 edition of INSTORE[/span]

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”