Sales Strategy
Jimmy De Groot: ‘The Gold Standard,’ a Great Read September 26, 2024 (0 comments)
Green Bay, WI--My greatest serendipity in being involved with success of jewelers is the relationships I enjoy and I consider every one of them partners. So, it’s not unusual for me to receive text messages about great ideas and books that help us all have better lives and businesses. Jim Woodard sent me this little diddy a few months back, “The Gold Standard” by Colin Cowie. It’s a fantastic read about Colin as he began his hospitality-event planning business.
He started out as a waiter working for a catering company and is now the most sought-after event planner in the world, catering to Oprah and all the most prominent celebrities in the world.
What I love about books like this (also similar is “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara)is that they’re about people who’ve built empires from literally the ground up. What a perfect tie in with so many jewelers who started with a bench and a case of jewelry purchased over the counter or memo given from a vendor. Colin gives incredible ideas for amazing hospitality and again, as in “Unreasonable Hospitality,” the highest impact ideas cost the least. The key is true interpersonal communication and a clear understanding of who you are as a business, what you do best, and what you don’t do.
As an independent jeweler, you need to constantly be aware of who you are and match that with who you want to be. This book is a fantastic read or listen to help you to think as big as you possibly can and also to sharpen your focus on the ideal business model for you. Whenever I’m feeling down or stuck, I just get in my Buick Enclave and go for a long drive with one of these books playing. The result is usually a long drive cut short because I must get back and create a new training video on what just lit me up with ideas. My hope is that these books will do the same for you. I know they did for Jim Woodard.
James (Jimmy) DeGroot is a professional jewelry sales and operations trainer from the jeweler’s side of the counter. Having been in management and the jewelry business for over 20 years, Jimmy offers weekly training to jewelers nationwide via the Train Retail website. Jimmy is an AGS titleholder and specializes in training relevant and timely methods for jewelry teams. He can do a full training on making Bridal Presentations the best they can be, among many other regular training options. Contact Jimmy at jimmy@trainretail.com or call 920-492-1191.