20
Member Benefits
The Jeweller
Use your NAJ membership to step into the new year with confidence in marketing, in business and at trade shows.
T
o say the last two years have caused uncertainty in the business world would be something of an understatement. Between the pandemic and Brexit, businesses have been constantly reactive as they try to adapt quickly to an everchanging world. While uncertainty remains in 2022, it’s time for companies to reclaim control – to be once again proactive with purpose. The jewellery community is always forward-thinking at the start of a new calendar year, but now it is more important than ever.
Make your network count For those in the know, the JET Business Network (JBN) was once the NAJ’s bestkept secret and one of the critical tools that dramatically helped accelerate commercial success. It’s common for business leaders to feel isolated, and, for many, the pandemic has magnified this isolation. Whether you’re a founder finding your way or a leader with both the benefit and burden of multiple generations behind you, wondering if you’re steering the ship in the right direction is an all-too-common concern. Finding a trusted community to share advice and offload business troubles is vital for leaders looking to take business to the next level. The JBN is such a community – a supportive network of like-minded business leaders with the collective experience and knowledge to help move your business forward. Created for retail jewellers and run by retail jewellers, the JBN is the support you never realised you needed.
JBN meetings provide a friendly and collaborative environment to discuss the important issues and opportunities jewellery retailers face. The group is supported by performance benchmarks, educational store visits, an online Q&A forum, and much more. JBN members are the voice of the network and its strongest advocates.
“If you’re an independent jeweller, I have to ask why you’re not a member of the JBN. If your response is either ‘time’ or ‘money,’ then you are just the type of person that will immediately benefit from the network.” Stephen Henderson, Stephen Henderson Ltd. With the world changing on a near-daily basis, finding a meaningful support network is vital for any business leader.
For more information on joining contact the JBN Facilitator, Michael Donaldson, on… Call: 07817 305 122 Visit: michael@thevalueinnovator.co.uk You can also read Michael’s regular column on page 60
Take control The show(s) must go on This year marks a full schedule of in-person trade fairs. Across Europe, the major jewellery shows are making their muchneeded comeback. Historically, the start of the year features a packed schedule of trade events in the UK and the rest of Europe. Familiar names already mark the jewellery calendar, returning in spring and summer. These shows will once again provide a perfect platform to do business for all sectors of the industry. Thanks to the Association’s close ties with the major shows, NAJ members can take advantage of benefits and discounts that
help businesses get the most out of the events. For example, Spring Fair returns in early February with a range of fresh changes and innovations, such as the official launch of Curated Meetings: short, scheduled meetings with qualified buyers. This is not business speed-dating, but meaningful meetings with a mutually expressed interest to do business. Crucially, Curated Meetings are also available to those not exhibiting at Spring Fair. It could be the ideal platform for many NAJ members, particularly with an exclusive 10 per cent member discount when booking a package of 10 meetings or more.
“It’s wonderful to see the return of in-person trade shows again in 2022. There’s no better
way to do business, whether you’re a designer, supplier or retailer. Building face-to-face relationships, seeing and touching products and gaining insight into the key trends for the year ahead is invaluable for all jewellery businesses. The NAJ is here to help you make the most of these events through our connections, exhibitor discounts and partnerships with the major trade shows around Europe.” Lindsey Straughton, Head of Communications and Industry Liaison Europe also sees the return of key trade shows, Vicenzaoro and INHORGENTA
