As a jeweler, you wear many hats. And that can include everything from master stone setter to HR rep to certified trash taker-outer. Managing a business isn’t easy (or else everyone would be doing it right?). You have to balance doing what you love with 
doing what you have too.
Know-how is not enough. Just because you’re an expert doesn’t mean that you have what it takes to be a business owner. When you put up (or turn on) that open sign, it’s not a guarantee that customers will flock to you right away just because you know what you’re doing. You’ll need marketing, administration, and other tactics to help get (and keep) the wheels moving. Here are some tips to help you head in the right direction.
Put The Right People In The Right Places
You’re the expert jeweler. And no one will question that. But are you a marketing expert? A human resources professional? What about an IT whiz? Work to surround yourself and your business with people who can contribute a different aspect of expertise. It’s okay if you can’t do every single thing yourself. Seek others who share your passion and ideals and build a team that will drive success.
Create S.M.A.R.T Goals
Physically writing down the goals you’d like to achieve over the course of any given amount of time will help to cement them for you and your staff. Evaluate each of your goals to make sure they’re specific and achievable. The SMART goal process will help:
S – Specific
Start by being specific. When you’re specific in your goal writing, you will become much more aware of what you want to happen. Answer the following questions: who, what, when, where, which, and why.
M – Measurable
Measuring the progress you make with each of your goals will make it more likely that you achieve them. Stay on track, reach target dates, and reward yourself and your staff for each achievement.
A – Attainable
Make sure what you aim to achieve is attainable. By doing so, you ensure that you will do what it takes to accomplish them. Set a time frame and list out the steps necessary to complete each.
R – Realistic
Create a strategy around achieving your goals. This will make them much more realistic. Don’t make the goals too easy, as you’ll get bored and lose interest. Challenge yourself because you’ll have to take action in order to make it happen.
T – Timely
A timeline for achieving your goals will make it more likely that you will take the action required to meet them in your given time frame. Be sure to make your goals tangible, so you and your staff actually feel like you can reach them with effort.
Get Your Team Involved
You can’t expect 100% support from any employee who isn’t personally involved in making a change that has a direct impact on their work. People don’t mind change, 
especially if they have had the opportunity to have a say in its direction. Simply asking an opinion, even if it’s not in line with the final say, can do wonders for morale and unity.
Create a work environment that employees feel as if they have the power to initiate and affect change. This could be the difference between sad and unhappy foot draggers and engaged, excited employees.
Through professionalism, consistency, and great planning, you can run a top-notch successful business. Practice what works for you. Build your team. Set goals. And keep everyone involved and you’ll be amazed at the results.
What are some of your best business management practices? What are some issues you struggle with? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll work to get the answers for you!
