Tip Sheet: June 2004

Published

20 years ago

June 1, 2004

Instore presents ideas for better business

[componentheading]MAKE AN EYE APPOINTMENT[/componentheading]

Here’s a great place to do a talent search for a new salesperson: your local optician’s office. Opticians deal with many of the same issues that jewelers do: 1.) finding merchandise that flatters the wearer; 2.) keeping up with fashion trends; and 3.) helping customers try on a large variety of items. They’re also comfortable with highly-specialized work that requires ongoing training.

Source: Janice Mack Talcott

[componentheading]USE THE WEB FOR MORE[/componentheading]

Doing television ads? Rip a page out of the American Express playbook and send people to your website to see expanded versions of your commercials. No, they won’t probably won’t be as funny (or as expensive) as the Seinfeld-Superman web movies, but that’s OK. For instance, if you use a happy couple in your TV ads, tell viewers that they should visit your website to see other “happy couple” video testimonials.

Source: Instore

[componentheading]DON’T STRESS THE COMPETITORS[/componentheading]

Great quote for you small, but bold, “Purple Cows” out there from philosopher-poet Mark Twain: “The best swordsman in the world doesn’t need to fear the second-best swordsman in the world. No, the person for him to be afraid of is some ignorant antagonist who has never had a sword in his hand before; he doesn’t do the thing he ought to do. He does the thing he ought not to do, and often it catches the expert out and ends him on the spot.”

Source: Tom Peters, Re-Imagine!

[componentheading]GET IN THE KNOW[/componentheading]

Something got you stumped? Visit our website at Instoremag.com, and go to the editorial section. From the editorial home page, search for any term you want (e.g. “commissions”) and you’ll see a complete list of stories containing the term. We’ve got the past three years of our magazine archived online. It’s a great place to benefit from the accumulated wisdom of Instore’s wide-ranging crew of expert advisors.

Source: Instore

[span class=note]This story is from the June 2004 edition of INSTORE[/span]

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.”