Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
CLICK ON PHOTO FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES.
Kate Peterson is the owner of Performance Concepts, Inc.
For 17 years she has also been the author of the award-winning “Real Deal” column and general consultant for sales, management, brand development, and retail operations issues for INSTORE magazine.
Clickable Show Notes
Click the timestamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
Question #1 – Kate, you’ve spent a lot of years in the retail trenches with J.B. Robinson, and then on to be Vice President of training at Kay Jewelers and Littman Jewelers. How did those experiences prepare you for owning Performance Concepts and developing the various products and services you have available today? Time Stamp [3:57]
Question #2 – Before we get into the questions we have about the jewelry trade, can you take a few minutes and give us an overview of why you created Performance Concepts? Especially your tagline: Advising, Educating, Elevating. Time Stamp [5:26]
Question #3 – As we were putting this episode together, one of your services that really caught our eye was the “Hardwired Recruiting & Hiring Program. Some of the estimates we’ve heard are as many as 6 out of 10 people who are working in retail, really shouldn’t be in this field. With your team being the lifeblood of your organization, how can organizations do a better job of hiring the right candidate? Time Stamp [7:38]
Question #4 – It’s been our experience that it’s rare to walk into an independent jewelry store where the team has posted performance goals, knows what is expected of them in their position, or understands the team standards. Most are hired and left to figure it out on their own. How much is this practice hurting the morale and performance of a store in your opinion? And what can be done to correct it? Time Stamp [11:55]
Question #5 – According to Benefit News in their February 1st, 2018 article titled, “The 15 Biggest HR Challenges in 2018” the employee handbook was a top concern. In your estimation, what percentage of independent jewelry stores have a functioning employee handbook? Why should they have one and what can you do to help? Time Stamp [15:23]
Question #6 – Jewelry store owners and Human Resource professionals sit at the intersection of so many social, generational, governmental, and technological changes and challenges. How can they keep it all straight? What are the top two or three priorities from an HR and/or training standpoint for jewelers today? Time Stamp [18:57]
Question #7 – As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to leave the key management roles in the organization, how can we ensure that those next in line are truly prepared to take on the leadership roles? What is the Performance Management System, and what part can it play in addressing this issue? Time Stamp [22:28]
Question #8 – We’re now facing a workplace where in theory, many employers could have employees ranging from 18 to 70 plus in the workplace. Store owners have to consider the best options for managing, communicating with, and selling to people across 5 generations. This has huge implications for employers in terms of managing the needs and expectations of Millennials, Generation X, and the Baby Boomers. What suggestions do you have in tackling this very real issue? Time Stamp [25:58]
Question #9 – Let’s switch gears for a moment and talk about Millennials. It seems to be a pain-point for many independent jewelers across the country. Millennials have been highly studied, ridiculed, and praised over the last few years. What do we need to know about them? And how can jewelers attract and retain those in the 18 – 32 age group? Time Stamp [29:07]
Question #10 – We’ve covered a lot of ground today, but is there one question that I should have asked you, but didn’t? Time Stamp [33:10]
What You Need To Know About Performance Concepts
Performance Concepts: Whether you need in-store sales or management training, business development consulting, an instructional seminar, a motivational presentation, or highly productive group facilitation, Performance Concepts will deliver!
The Performance Concepts Team combines extensive experience and talents in gemology, sales, organizational development, leadership, communication, retail operations, brand development, management, training, education, curriculum design, course development, adult learning, technology, and consultation skills into one dynamic, flexible, full-service package guaranteed to meet the needs of your business.
Services “Performance Concepts” Provides: We provide consulting services in packages ranging from single-day problem-solving sessions and 3-day business assessments to full annual retainers.
We develop and produce products that help retailers build their brand, develop their client base and hire, train, and manage their staff effectively.
We create and deliver custom-designed training programs
- For retailers, to help develop a staff that best represents your brand integrity.
- For suppliers, to provide brand support components that address both internal service structures and product training needs across a variety of delivery platforms.
We conduct classroom and in-store training and professional development seminars on a wide variety of topics including client and business development, hiring, performance management, staff retention, selling skills, merchandising, and product knowledge.
We produce education and training courses for our own product line and for many industry associations.
Contact Information
- LinkedIn Account
- Email: Kate@PerformanceConcepts.net
- Website: Performance Concepts
Our “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show Episodes
The host of “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show – Jewelry Business Strategist – President of Four Grainer LLC. Author of the business books “A Reason To Chant,” and “A Reason to Chant – Jewelry Trade Edition.” Rod lives in Atlanta with his wife and two almost-human cats.