Connect with us

Smooth Seller: Brian Barfield

Published

on

It took some serious clienteling to pull this sales pro out of his worst slump ever.

Smooth Seller: Brian Barfield

[dropcap cap=B]rian Barfield, 36, senior sales associate for The Gem Collection, admits his sales slipped a bit in the first three months of 2009 — whose didn’t? But increased attention to clienteling salvaged the year. By late 2009, his customers were back, and in early 2010, his sales had tripled over that dark period of 2009 he calls his worst sales slump ever.  — EILEEN MCCLELLAND [/dropcap]

[componentheading]INTERVIEW[/componentheading]

GOLD: Just about anything that Shane Decker says is gold.

FAITH: Success is about more than skills. I have a strong belief that my faith has a lot to do with it. Falling into the right sale at the right time, saying the right things. Acknowledging my faith opens up a lot of doors.

Advertisement

CHANGE: Early in my career, it was pounded into us to call, call, call, call, call. As technologies changed, people, especially busy people, respond better to texting and e-mail.

FOCUS: I usually take about five or 10 minutes in the car before I come into the store to focus and clear my head, to leave everything outside of work behind.

FOLLOW-UP: I’ve had quite a few sales in the 30s and 40s. I just had one two days ago that was $37,000. A customer had shopped with us for the first time this Christmas. He came in for something small and bought a $7,000 diamond pendant. I kept in touch, sent him a thank-you card and he showed up out of the blue. He bought a Tacori mounting with a 2-carat, top-of-the-line cushion cut. If I hadn’t followed up, he might not have come back.

ENERGY: My style of sales takes a lot of energy. It’s that comfort you create that opens the door to gain the trust. Have a bad day and it’ll affect you forever with that customer.

QUESTIONS: Ask the right questions so you can touch their lives in a meaningful way.

[span class=note]This story is from the May 2010 edition of INSTORE[/span]

Advertisement

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular

Smooth Sellers

Smooth Seller: Brian Barfield

Published

on

It took some serious clienteling to pull this sales pro out of his worst slump ever.

Smooth Seller: Brian Barfield

[dropcap cap=B]rian Barfield, 36, senior sales associate for The Gem Collection, admits his sales slipped a bit in the first three months of 2009 — whose didn’t? But increased attention to clienteling salvaged the year. By late 2009, his customers were back, and in early 2010, his sales had tripled over that dark period of 2009 he calls his worst sales slump ever.  — EILEEN MCCLELLAND [/dropcap]

[componentheading]INTERVIEW[/componentheading]

GOLD: Just about anything that Shane Decker says is gold.

Advertisement

FAITH: Success is about more than skills. I have a strong belief that my faith has a lot to do with it. Falling into the right sale at the right time, saying the right things. Acknowledging my faith opens up a lot of doors.

CHANGE: Early in my career, it was pounded into us to call, call, call, call, call. As technologies changed, people, especially busy people, respond better to texting and e-mail.

FOCUS: I usually take about five or 10 minutes in the car before I come into the store to focus and clear my head, to leave everything outside of work behind.

FOLLOW-UP: I’ve had quite a few sales in the 30s and 40s. I just had one two days ago that was $37,000. A customer had shopped with us for the first time this Christmas. He came in for something small and bought a $7,000 diamond pendant. I kept in touch, sent him a thank-you card and he showed up out of the blue. He bought a Tacori mounting with a 2-carat, top-of-the-line cushion cut. If I hadn’t followed up, he might not have come back.

ENERGY: My style of sales takes a lot of energy. It’s that comfort you create that opens the door to gain the trust. Have a bad day and it’ll affect you forever with that customer.

QUESTIONS: Ask the right questions so you can touch their lives in a meaningful way.

Advertisement

[span class=note]This story is from the May 2010 edition of INSTORE[/span]

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular