(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has debuted a new benefit for its members, called Negotiable, in connection with WJA’s Gender Equality Project. The learning program offers a collection of resources – videos, assessments, worksheets, and more, which can help its members build their ability to negotiate a promotion, a better vendor contract, or higher sales.
Data shows that women make the vast majority of purchase decisions in the jewelry industry and that women’s increased involvement and leadership in every sector of the jewelry trade will lead to better consumer engagement and business outcomes.
But earlier this year, the Gender Equality Project found in its survey on workplace practices that 30% of employee respondents (who were over 90% female) said they had been deprived of equal opportunities for advancement; and 38% said they have been affected by pay disparity.
To help members begin to bargain better for promotions and equal pay, or with vendors and in sales situations, WJA contracted with Negotiable, using funds from a 2019 JCK industry grant. Negotiable works to train members in the skills needed to work through problems, ask for what they need, and gain relevant professional development experience.
Negotiable’s videos teach basic bargaining skills, with assessments that help users leverage their strengths. Worksheets prepare them for a real-world negotiation, and include role plays they can practice with others. Users can also return to the learning platform to review and refresh the skills they learned for subsequent negotiations.
“We know that surveys of women in the U.S. show that, on average, women receive less training, mentoring, and advice on negotiating than men. WJA believes in the power of education to boost confidence in our members and to fuel positive career transformation,” says WJA Executive Director Jennifer Markas. “Negotiable’s good practices help women increase the likelihood they’ll be more successful in every facet of their careers, from promotions and equal pay, to better sales and vendor contracts.”
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Negotiable notes that scholars have not found evidence to suggest that women are worse at negotiating than men. The learning platform’s own research also suggests that, with coaching, practice, and experience, women report just as much satisfaction and success with their negotiations.
“We’d like to once again thank the JCK Industry Fund for this very useful grant,” says WJA President Jenny Luker. “A key WJA goal is to help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally and this new benefit is central to our mission.”
WJA is providing access to Negotiable free to members on a first-come, first-served basis, in lieu of the normal $89.99 cost of a subscription. To learn more, go to https://www.womensjewelryassociation.com/negotiable, and view the introductory video about the service. If interested, members can log in, enter their names, email addresses, and chapter locations, and then receive instructions for access.
To join WJA, click here. For more information, contact Membership Coordinator Rachel Jurisz, rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
