Yes: 75%

• I take a walk around our (leased) building then sit at my bench and do two repairs: the first being the most difficult (or a job I didn’t want to do in the first place ), the second being the most challenging or fun. – Don Elliott, Elliott Jewelers, Richmond, VA
• We have a checklist for opening and closing. Almost every day we have a memo that has a news item, heads-up, or gem of wisdom to start off with. Entire staff must read the daily memo before they sign in and start the clock. This assures it will be read quickly. — J. Dennis Petimezas, Watchmaker’s Diamonds & Jewelry, Johnstown, PA
• Our manager goes over the absolutes, what is going on marketing wise, who is coming in, what went on the day before, any personal experiences staff members had shopping locally. — Beth Guntzviller, Miner’s North Jewelers, Traverse City, MI
 

• I start with a good old-fashioned, hand-written to-do list. I prioritize it by starting with my highest-value activities (things that have the biggest impact on sales). So following up with a customer about a 2-carat diamond trumps re-ordering hot stamped boxes. — Jen Foster, David Douglas Designs, Marietta, GA

 
• Coffee, coffee, coffee — I need my coffee! After that it’s all good. — Loann Stokes, Stokes Jewelry, Stillwater, MN
• Unlock, vacuum, turn on pickle pot, stock the cases, make tea, have a quick smoke outdoors, walk in and look for anything discordant or in need of cleaning. I learned long ago to try to look around carefully as if I were the pickiest client on their first visit and make sure they want to come back. — James  Doggett, Doggett Jewelry, Kingston, NH
• I am trying to follow Jim Ackerman’s advice and devote the first 30 minutes of each day to marketing. — Jane Johnson, RM Johnson & Sons, Salem, VA
• I have a healthy commute in which Siri reminds me of my daily tasks. I make several calls during the drive, especially ones that need privacy! All the while I guzzle a full 16-oz bottle of water, have a piece of fruit and center. I like the drive. I ramp up on the way to work, looking forward to my day and ramp down on the drive home. — Denise Oros, Linnea Jewelers, La Grange, IL
• 1. Pay the bills first, it makes you feel good; 2. Review important emails; 3. Review yesterday’s sales for never out reorders. — Dorothy Vodicka, The Gem Collection, Tallahassee, FL
• Each associate has a routine, rotating task (clean break room, check bathrooms, check supplies at each terminal, etc.). — Kate Pearce, Pearce Jewelers, West Lebanon, NH
• Stop at coffee shop on way in to start the day talking non-jewelry with store associates and other customers there. — Ira Kramer, The Diamond Exchange of Maryland, Rockville, MD
• I have a little warm-up I do for about 20 minutes. Combo of breathing, tai chi and yoga. Have been doing this for 9-10 months — it is wonderful. Helps me handle the difficult stuff way better than I used to!  — Cliff Yankovich, Chimera Design, Lowell, MI
• Security is No. 1 with me. I always check my surroundings at home and at and near the store. — Gene, John, Krista Poole, Poole Jewelers, Tuscaloosa, AL

No: 25%

• I just get up and go to work. And as we all know, each morning is different once you walk though the door. — Chris Wattsson, Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers, Marquette, MI
• Routines are dangerous in our business. — Mark Neumann, Ross Designs, Highland Park, IL
• We generally take a few minutes at the end of the day to prep for the following day. Ours is a small store. — Andrew Russakoff, Russakoff Jewelers, Skowhegan, ME

This article originally appeared in the April 2017 edition of INSTORE.