The session speakers at Conclave are subject matter experts, thought leaders, and innovators. Take a look at some of the sessions below to get an idea of the top-notch education you’ll find in Dallas!
Sunday, September 12
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Session: Light at the End of the (Diamond) Tunnel: Building your In-House Diamond Brand with AGS Laboratories
Speaker: Abe Sherman, CEO, Buyers Intelligence Group, and John Carter, CGA, Jack Lewis Jewelers
Track: Business Management
This presentation will combine marketing and merchandising. Learn how and why you should build your own customized in-house diamond brand based on light performance and how to do the analysis required to develop this program. Join John Carter, CGA, and Abe Sherman for a fast-paced discussion that will forever improve your diamond department and bottom-line profits.
Sunday, September 12
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Session: How to Maximize Your Business Potential
Panelists: Jewelers Mutual Group: Adam Gerety, Vice President, Platform Operations; David McDonald, Senior Director, Product Management; Tina Olm, Vice President, Shipping Solutions; Mark Smelzer, Chief Content Executive; Shelia Bayes, Director, Industry Solutions
Track: Technology
The Zing® platform was launched in August 2020 and is now a mainstay for over 5,000 industry professionals. Whether you were one of the first to use it or are wondering what all the buzz is about, this session is a must to attend for anyone interested in technology and innovation. The platform features products from Jewelers Mutual Group and other industry leaders in an easy-to-use dashboard, and the minds behind it are sharing the secrets to its success, how any business can harness it and where it’s headed next.
Monday, September 13
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Session: The Story-Driven SALES PERSON
Speaker: Kelly Swanson
Track: Sales
The Story-driven SALES PERSON program shows you how to add a story to your presentation so that you don’t just reach their mind, you reach their heart, to leave that critical emotional footprint to close the sale and stand out among the competition.
Where the art of story meets the business of persuasion. With all the sales books out there, why aren’t sales people getting better? Because they don’t know how to connect. Most sales people agree that sales are about relationships. But most sales people still resort to facts and data to sell. Selling is about emotion, and the one who can make that critical emotional connection is the one who most often gets the job.
When it comes to sales, we all know that people buy from people they like, trust, believe, and feel like they know. Those four words—like, trust, believe, and know—have nothing to do with what you know, what you put on your slides, or how well your suit fits. They have everything to do with how you make someone feel, about you, your product, and about themselves. That’s where the story comes in.
Strategic Storytelling is the only tool that can truly make an emotional connection with your listener. That can actually take that data and wrap it in a way that truly persuades the buyer. But it’s not about Story Telling, it’s really about Story Selling. It’s about being strategic about the stories you choose, how you craft them, and how you present them to your listener.
Tuesday, September 14
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m and 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Session: The Power of Consensus and Negotiation to Increase Buy-In
Speaker: Connie Podesta
Track: Sales
Zoom calls. Webcams. Conference lines. How do you create consensus in a world that is constantly changing? Connie’s presentation gives you a crash course in psychology and human behavior to give you the tools necessary to help teams work more cohesively and creatively for better bottom-line results!
Bottom line: Getting the job done the right way hinges on your ability to “sell” yourself and your ideas in such a trusting and positive way that people will choose to: Follow your lead. Cooperate with you. Learn from you. Buy from you. Partner with you. And…support you so you can make things happen!
With a rare blend of laugh-out-loud humor, uncanny insight into human nature, and killer persuasive strategies, Human Relations expert, Connie Podesta, will take you right inside the minds of the people you need to influence and impress. You will learn how to negotiate differences, influence behaviors, change attitudes, overcome objections, and close the deal so you can create an amazing network of people who have one common goal: to willingly help you get the job done now!
Tuesday, September 14
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Session: Treat Every Alarm Like It’s Real
Speaker: Larry Spicer, Jewelers Mutual Group
Track: Security
Since the beginning of 2021, Jewelers Mutual® Group and the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) have been tracking burglary trends at unprecedented levels throughout the US and Canada.
According to JSA’s data, strip mall jewelers are experiencing twice as many burglaries as any other type of jewelry retail location this year. As this trend continues, it’s critical for jewelers to have working alarms and if an alert is received from the alarm service, treat it as an actual event every time.
In this session, you’ll hear about the recent criminal activity and risk management solutions to mitigate loss and prevent burglaries. You’ll also learn about a new program available through JM™ Risk Services, a new division of Jewelers Mutual Group.
Alarm Response Program supported by Securitas
A trained Securitas security officer will respond to all your alarms. In the event of an alarm, Securitas personnel will contact your security alarm company, local law enforcement, emergency services, or maintenance services as needed to ensure the safety of your business.
Tuesday, September 14
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m – 5:15 p.m.
Session: CRACK THE CODE ON TRUST: Insider Investigative Techniques for Leaders
Speaker: Pamela Barnum
Track: Business Management
Studies show that the higher the level of trust, the more successful the outcome will be. Nonverbal communication is a significant data source used to make decisions around trust.
Using insider techniques, Pamela will help you and your organization Crack the Code on Trust by learning to:
- Accurately assess others’ nonverbal cues (body language). Discover and learn strategies used to build trust quickly and easily with anyone; including demanding clients, difficult customers, and challenging stakeholders.
- Behave in a way that communicates confidence and trustworthiness in every situation. Develop nonverbal communication techniques that make people feel validated and appreciated.
- Create an environment that fosters authenticity and trust – turning first impressions into winning impressions.