SJTA Talk on Empowering The Next Generation in your jewelry store.

1. Empowering
The Next Generation
Michael Schechter
Digital Marketing Director
Honora Pearls

2. I Know What You’re Thinking...
The “Next Generation” employee
has no idea how to dress, no idea
how to talk to people. They seem
entitled, like the world owes them
something and they just don’t
seem willing to put in the hard
work that has made this business
what it is today....

3. The Next Generation Employee...

4. But Here’s The Thing...
What made the business what it is
today isn’t going to be what
makes the business what it is
going to be tomorrow.
And taking the time to both train
and empower the Next Generation
will help you get there.

5. The Bottom Line
We (and by we, I mean the Next
Generation) have a LOT to
learn, but maybe... just maybe
that underdressed, poorly
spoken kid who spends WAY
too much time on Facebook can
help grow your business!
But the thing is, both of us are
going to have to change.

6. So Where Does That Leave Us?

7. So How Do We Get Here?

8. Let’s Break Things Down...
There are some real challenges
here. The Next Generation are
inexperienced at the start and they
tend to be unfocused. There often
feels like there is a real
impatience and that their attitude
can border on unprofessional.

9. But All Is Not Lost!
Each one of those challenges
brings with it a unique set of
opportunities that can be
leveraged if you decide that it is
worth your time...

10. Let’s Break Things Down...
The Challenges
• Inexperienced
• Unfocused
• Impatient
• Annoying?

11. Let’s Break Things Down...
The Opportunities
• Plugged In
• Always On
• Less Fearful
• Collaborative
• Leaders

12. What It Really Comes Down To...
This emerging generation cares
WHY they do WHAT they do
more than ever before.
They don’t want a JOB...
They want a CALLING!

13. A Few Facts About Gen-Next
Courtesy of Rains Media - http://slidesha.re/hrfews

14. A Few Facts About Gen-Next
Boomers INVESTED time in
work, millennials SPEND time.

15. A Few Facts About Gen-Next

16. The Real Opportunity...
Those who are able to empower
and leverage these skills, especially
the Next Generation’s
understanding of technology will
be better prepared for the future.

17. Should You Take This Seriously?
At the end of the day, it really
comes down to one thing...
Are you looking for EMPLOYEES
or are you looking for TALENT?

18. Should You Take This Seriously?
What do YOU want to be?
Are you going to be an OWNER or
are you a LEADER?

19. What This ISN’T About!
This isn’t about meeting your
employees in the middle.
It is about finding the right
imbalance that allows younger
employees to make a meaningful
contributions to your business.

20. So What Is This All About?
This is about change.
This new employee represents the
change that is coming our way.
It is about steering your business
towards the future.

21. The Next Generation Employee
How do younger employees
currently factor into your operation?
What opportunities are you creating
for younger employees?
Are you setting goals and providing
the tools for success?

22. Why Should I Change?
Because the Next Generation
employee leads us into a very
important topic of conversation
regarding your business...
The Next Generation Consumer

23. The Next Generation Consumer

24. The Next Generation Consumer
This newer, younger consumer is
vastly different than the types of
buyers you’ve had walking
through your door.
It is essential that they feel
comfortable in your store and
having employees they can relate
to will help.

25. They Have Different Concerns
• Versatility
• Sustainability
• Customizable
• Price

26. The Next Generation Consumer
They are VERY different...
• Far More Casual
• Used To Costume
• Extremely Price Savvy
• They Are On Demand
• They Are Consumers!

27. They Have So Many Options
There are so many new
opportunities available to the
Next Generation Consumer
• E-tailers
• Group Buying Sites
•Local Jewelers Online

28. The Next Generation Consumer
What Products Are You Bringing
In To Appeal To This Customer?
What Experiences Are You
Creating To Catch Their Interest?
Would Your Kid Be Comfortable
Walking Into Your Store?

29. The Generation Gap

30. The Generation Gap
We are at a time where two
VERY different generations are
working side by side.
How are you bridging that gap and
ensuring that BOTH generations
leverage each others skills?

31. Get Them On The Same Page...
The opportunity lies in getting
both groups together, along
with management, to really try
to DEFINE and then REFINE
the culture of your business.

32. Things Are Changing Fast!
A “this is the way we have
always done things around
here” mentality is not going to
take your business where it
needs to go.

33. It’s Time To Slaughter
Some Sacred Cows...

34. But Which One To Kill?
This Guy Looks Good!

35. What Do You Want In Your Store?
Work with your staff to decide
which practices stay and which
should go.
If they are a part of creating the
process, they are far more likely
to enforce it.

36. Bridging The Generation Gap
How can generational differences
become operational opportunities?
How can you remain true to your
core while looking to the future?
How do you get all of you staff and
management on the same page?

37. What Can Happen...

38. Download The GNJ Framework
Visit http://bit.ly/GNJFrame
to download
The Next Generation
Framework document.

39. Join The Conversation At
Gen-NextJewelers.com
Facebook.com/GenNextJewelers
Twitter.com/GenNextJewelers
Or on our LinkedIn Group