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

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]