Zen Jeweler: Paying Doesn’t Provide Knowledge

Published

17 years ago

July 2, 2008

INSTORE Staff

Parables by Jeff MccandlessPeople have difficulty learning
anything unless they write a check to learn it.

And even then the lesson usually doesn’t hold power for long.

Take Pilates. You pay for it, you finish the class, and you don’t ever do it at home. Wasted money.

In business, you call in a consultant, you pay that person, you send that person home, and you put the new manual on the shelf with all the other old manuals that have said the same thing.

So here’s the thing. There’s apparently satisfaction derived from paying to pretend to learn new things. But here’s something of value, for free.

This needs to be remembered and implemented daily: It’s not the act of paying that provides knowledge, it’s the act of learning that provides knowledge.

THE TAKEAWAY: Unless you can learn to learn again, put your checkbook away.

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."