Sales Strategy

Jimmy DeGroot: Your Culture Can Make or Break December October 31, 2024 (0 comments)

Green Bay, WI--During the next two months, our stores transform into a bustling arena filled with eager shoppers and heightened competition. Keeping a positive workplace culture is imperative for a great season and one negative attitude or a rift between two salespeople can really squash the entire vibe.

Business consultant and author, Seth Godin, says “business is not about stuff; it’s about people.” This is why we cannot underestimate the value of a positive store culture.  When employees feel valued and engaged, their enthusiasm translates into better customer interactions. Conversely, a negative attitude—whether from one employee or an entire team—can create a toxic atmosphere that makes customers feel like they just stepped into or between something.  Bad vibes equal no sales. 

A study by the Gallup Organization found that highly engaged teams can increase sales by up to 20%. This statistic underscores the importance of cultivating a culture where employees are motivated to work together towards a common goal. When every team member recognizes that their contributions matter, it fosters collaboration and boosts overall productivity. Business consultant Patrick Lencioni highlights the importance of teamwork in his book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, stating that successful teams create an atmosphere where members trust one another, engage in healthy conflict, commit to decisions, hold one another accountable, and focus on collective results.

[Photo credit: Jimmy DeGroot]

Check your store’s culture temperature before the holidays get here and make sure to do everything in your power to foster a culture of respect, peace and teamwork.  Ignoring a bad situation will not make it go away.

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.