Southern Jewelry News

Existing members embrace aggressive plan to grow the organization

(SARASOTA, Fla.) - Members of Leading Jewelers Guild (LJG), a prestigious member-owned jewelry organization of independent retailers, assembled at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Sarasota, Florida in March. “Our priority is to grow our group to 50 members this year,” said LJG outgoing president, Elise Kreisberg (Greenberg Jewelers, Sioux City, IA). “We believe the sharing and interaction among members is the principal benefit of membership in Leading Jewelers Guild; it’s great with 32 members, but it can be even greater with 50.”

“In order to encourage new membership we’ve reduced our dues to only $625 per month,” said incoming President Tony Prater (Jensen Jewelers, Twin Falls, ID). “New members can enjoy all the benefits of membership from day one, or take their time and integrate them at their own speed.”

“We’ve made huge changes in our business model,” said LJG’s Executive Director James “Jimmy” West. “Today flat dues for all members is more equitable, and makes us more competitive with other groups.”

“We have a pretty clear road map of where we’re going,” said Board Chairman Robert Marks (Rogers Jewelry, Modesto, CA). “Our plan calls for a ramping up of cost savings, which combined with new membership will eventually get all members down to $625 per month.”

In addition to taking on new membership goals, current members assembled into teams to increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency, increase the use of technology, and to create and sustain new competitive advantages.

Also at the meeting, members were treated to a keynote presentation on Web Innovation by author Rick Segel, and members set aside a day to share their best promotions and events based on the most recent, successful Fall and Valentine’s seasons.

“I can’t remember a meeting where I’ve left as energized and filled with new ideas,” said Julie Sather Brown (Sather’s Leading Jewelers, Ft. Collins, CO), “but as my father always tells me, it is easy to get inspired, but it is how you ACT on that inspiration that is important.”

Leading Jewelers Guild, an organization completely owned by its member jewelers, through its collective intelligence and buying power, offers membership the opportunity to lower overall operating costs in a strong, sharing and relationship driven environment. Leading Jewelers Guild is an invaluable merchandising, marketing, catalog advertising and production resource dedicated to the overall business needs of their member companies. For more information contact Jimmy West at 310-820-3386.

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