I’ve talked before about commitment to your staff. I think it’s good to keep them and train them instead of constantly replacing them. Why? Well, ask yourself:?What is it that you are really committed to? Is it the new software? Or the new designer line? A charity? Your health? Maybe all those things. But I’ll tell you what you are really committed to (arrogant on my part, but I think about this stuff all night while you’re analyzing reports). Above all else, the thing that is the touchstone against which all other commitments must be measured, is … wait for it … maximum profit. You knew that? OK, but let’s add a word here — ethical. Maximum ethical profit. Why are you committed to low pay and the staff that comes with it? Pay it forward. If you want the best profit, get — and keep — the best people. It’s not the jewelry. Everybody has that. It’s not the marketing. None of us are doing that. (Well, OK, some of you are.) It’s not the hours you are open, or the decor. It’s the people.