MERCHANDISINGTest Drive Your Bracelets
Most jewelry is easy to put on and take off, but bracelets can be a notable exception. If a client lives alone or has mobility issues, it may be more difficult to wear certain bracelets, notes Sophia Macris, creative director at Verragio Fine Jewelry. The answer? Be sure to “test drive the bracelets in your cases to see which ones are the easiest to put on and take off (and why — are they flexible? Stretchy?)” And when you sell a bracelet to a client, make sure they test drive it, too, she says.
FINANCEMention the Competition
When applying for a business loan at a bank, it’s important to show that you have a thorough knowledge of the business and have spent time thinking about the competitive landscape, says celebrated entrepreneur Richard Branson. Writing in Business Review Weekly, he says: “If a bank or other investor is looking at your business, then they’ve probably looked at your competitors as well. Show you understand your competition and irreverently explain why your business will do better. Don’t be overly negative. At best, you’ll seem humorless and self-important, and at worst, like you don’t take your competitors seriously enough.”
WELL-BEINGSlow Meals = Good Life
From Daniel Gilbert of Harvard to Martin Seligman of Princeton, well-being researchers seem to agree on one thing: Mealtime with friends and loved ones is a direct predictor of well-being. In 2025, aim to have at least one 2-to-3-hour dinner and/or drinks per week —yes, 2–3 hours — with those who make you smile and feel good. Thursday dinners and long Sunday brunches are particularly conducive to this.
MANAGEMENTGive Staff Access to Vendor Logins
Ensure your team has access to vendor logins for streamlined operations, says store consultant Megan Crabtree: “This enables easy retrieval of images, pricing, and marketing materials, especially when vendors are closed on weekends,” she says. Providing access to these things at the click of a button can also empower associates to better assist customers in a timely manner, she adds.
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PRODUCTIVITYEnd on a Strong Note
There’s something to be said for ending on a high note, says business coach and author Josh Waitzkin, citing a lesson he learned from World Cup skier Billy Kidd, who insisted on ending his runs on the flat with as much intention as the more critical parts of the slope. “As Billy points out, if your last three turns are precise, then what you’re internalizing on the lift ride up is precision. So, I carry this on to the guys I train in the finance world, for example: ending the workday with high quality, which for one thing means you’re internalizing quality overnight.”
TECHNOLOGYTrack Who’s Sharing Your Email
Here’s a Gmail trick that’s been around for a while, but which we just came across: It allows you to create variations of your email address by adding a plus sign (+) and additional text before the “@” symbol. For example, if your email is “example@gmail.com,” you can use “example+shopping@gmail.com,” “example+newsletters@gmail.com,” or “example+work@gmail.com” for different purposes. Not only does it help you manage emails, but when signing up for newsletters or other subscriptions, you can see who’s sharing your information or sending you junk mail.
ENGAGEMENTGo First
In a world where it feels people are increasingly opting out of personal engagement, a “go first” mindset can be a game-changer, says podcaster and former pro volleyball player Gabby Reece: “I always say that I’ll go first … That means if I’m checking out at the store, I’ll say hello first. If I’m coming across somebody and make eye contact, I’ll smile first. [I wish] people would experiment with that in their life a little bit. Be first, because — not all times, but most times — it comes in your favor. The response is pretty amazing because now we’re being trained in this world to opt out — nobody’s going first anymore.”
HIRINGChoke the Internet
Want a quick insight into the true character of that prospective hire filling out a job application? “Move them onto an abysmally slow internet connection and observe,” says Wired co-founder Kevin Kelly in his book Excellent Advice for Living.
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