Simple Management Group Company Newsletter - December. Volume 1. Issue 3

DECEMBER 2021

VOL. 1 ISSUE 3

INNOVATIONS The Monthly Newsletter of Simple Management Group

IN THIS ISSUE

CEO CORNER - 2 JEWELRY TRAINING - 3-5 STORE RANKINGS - 6 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME ABOARD - 7 CELEBRATIONS - 8 TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - 9

BLACK FRIDAY WINNERS - 10 BLACK FRIDAY SCENES - 11

WEBINAR SERIES WEBINAR SPOTLIGHT - 12 WEBINAR SCHEDULE - 12

ANNOUNCEMENTS GOOGLE REVIEWS - 13

DECEMBER 2021

VOL. 1 ISSUE 3

CEO CORNER Maximizing Retail Sales During the Holiday Season The holidays are just around the corner, and we know that means one thing: it's time to drive retail sales! October was recordbreaking for us as a company in retail sales.

Let’s utilize these strategies to effectively close the sale and increase our sales revenue in December.

show a pair of earrings to complement the necklace. Offer to assist with their holiday gift ideas and show other merchandise based on their interest.

Greet the Customer

Offer bundle deals to maximize sales. You can combine multiple products into a set and create special prices for them. For example, you can bundle game consoles with accessories and gaming CDs. Use this strategy for certain products that won't affect your profit margin.

First impressions are everything when it comes to closing a sale. Customers are more likely to do business with you if they feel valued. The first step in the process of doing so is enthusiastically greeting your customer within 5 seconds of entering the store.

Build Rapport and Determine the Need The old saying 'people buy from those they know, like, and trust’ is still true. To close the sale, you must establish rapport with your customer and find out what they need. Customers want to feel like they have an opportunity to share what they're thinking, including their desires and concerns. More importantly, they want to feel like they're being heard. The more you can show you're listening to them by making an effort to relate, your chances of successfully closing will be higher!

Add-On Strategy The weeks leading up to the holidays are a great time to offer "add-on" items to go with the products customers are already purchasing. Maybe they bought a beautiful necklace,

Offer Combo Products and Special Offers

Overcoming Objections There is no substitute for preparation. When you are prepared, you will know what you are on the sales floor to do: sell. Most of the time, when customers object, they give you an incomplete reason for not buying. For example, a common objection we often hear from customers is "I want to shop around." It's important to acknowledge the objection and ask probing questions to uncover their buying criteria that will help you to develop a response and strategy to close the sale.

The holiday selling season is a win-win opportunity for everyone! Let's continue to work as a team, have fun, and keep the momentum going by closing more sales and adding on to every customer.

John Thedford CEO

DECEMBER 2021

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JEWELRY TRAINING New Earrings for all Stores Simple Elegance 58 different styles in 3 types of precious metals to satisfy all customers!

Platinum dipped tarnish resistant Sterling Silver Higher quality than plain Sterling Silver Looks identical to white Gold and Platinum Stays shinier and is easier to clean than plain Silver

10kt yellow gold More durable, less likely to break or dent Less expensive than 14kt Looks the same as 14kt

14kt yellow gold More gold content means more valuable if customer needs a loan in the future

Greg Weiss Director of Jewelry Operations

DECEMBER 2021

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JEWELRY TRAINING Holiday Selling Tips Ask Questions for Successful Add-on Sales!

Wouldn’t it be great to get as much of your Holiday shopping done at the same place and same time while also saving money and having the option of free layaway?

Provide world-class customer service and make more money by asking customers a few simple questions, keeping in mind that they can get most of their Holiday shopping done in your store because we sell just about everything!

Slow moving and inexpensive jewelry items are much more popular during the Holidays. They can be easy add-ons and make great “stocking stuffers”! Low priced watches (male/female), charms, cuff links, money clips (with a few bucks folded in it!), etc., are common Holiday gift items.

Suggest coordinating jewelry items. For example, after you have made the sale say, “Those earrings are a great choice, we happen to have a matching pendant over here.”

Adding-On People shop with a single purpose/person/gift in mind. Once a customer has decided to make a purchase, ask them: • Who else is on the shopping list this year?

• Are there any other gift-giving occasions comingup?

• We have some great values right now; have you thought about treating yourself this year?

• Would you like to use our free layaway option to get this matching item for your wife for Valentine’s Day? Besides the Holidays, there could be a Birthday, Anniversary, Sweet 16, Quinceañera, etc.

By asking these simple questions, you will remind them of another person or occasion they need to shop for.

Have ideas ready and know your inventory! For example, if a customer says he’s not ready to get “a ring”; be ready to suggest diamond earrings, diamond pendants, gold jewelry, etc.

Ask him, “What’s her favorite color?”, then show colored stone jewelry.

If they can’t afford to get the matching item today, suggest layaway and let them know it probably won’t be here when they come back.

Even if they don’t get anything extra today, you have planted a seed for the future. They will appreciate your help as a professional and you will build your long-term business.

Rescue your customers from Holiday shopping hassles and save them time and money by providing world class customer service with Addon sales.

By asking questions and adding on, you are making more money with the same number of customers and building your business with almost no extra effort! Happy Holidays!

Greg Weiss Director of Jewelry Operations

DECEMBER 2021

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JEWELRY TRAINING Graduate Gemologist Appraisals Coming Soon!

We will now be providing stores with GIA Graduate Gemologist Appraisals for on select jewelry.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the worlds foremost authority on gemstones, and they invented the most common system and standards used worldwide for grading diamonds.

The strategy of providing appraisals on some items has proven to increase sales, profit, and jewelry turn as well as boost credibility of our brand.

Display Tip: Print an extra tag and/or starburst and place on the appraisal near the Retail Value.

This way, the customer can see that we are selling far below the typical jewelry store price, and they are getting a fantastic value!

The first round of appraisals will come with some of the diamond stud earrings we purchased for all stores.

We will expand the In-house Appraisals Program to include other items in January 2022.

1/2ct and larger diamonds, and jewelry selling for more than $1000 USD are the type of items that will benefit from having an appraisal.

I will be appraising select items when shipping inventory to our Caribbean stores, as well as appraising special items that can be brought to me at HQ.

Appraisal benefits to share with your customers:

For the US stores, items can be brought to HQ for appraisal with a 1-week turnaround.

1. Because I am a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, our Appraisals are valid for Insurance companies all over the world.

2. Gemologist Appraisals normally cost $100 and up but is free with purchase of the appraised item!

3.

The “Retail Replacement Value” I use is comparable to the Retail Selling Price – not an inflated, unrealistic value seen on many other independent appraisals.

This appraisal service is provided free for our stores, so if you have an item that customers have been asking if it comes with an appraisal, or you think an appraisal will help you sell it – make sure to let your manager know and get the item to HQ.

Greg Weiss Director of Jewelry Operations

DECEMBER 2021

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STORE RANKINGS NOVEMBER 2021 TOP 3 STORES IN NET REVENUE

1 2 3

LAYAWAY BALANCE TOP 10 - NOV 2021

1

Cayman, George Town

$395,416

2

Florida, Kissimmee

$197,832

3

Bahamas, Freeport

$166,427

Florida, St. Cloud

$161,316

Florida, Pleasant Hill

$149,159

Barbados, Oistins

$137,115

Barbados, Bridgetown

$135,815

8

Bahamas, Nassau

$108,545

9

Dominica, Roseau

$92,298

1 0

Jamaica, Montego Bay

$91,001

4 5 6 7

Cayman, George Town

$94,665

Jamaica, Montego Bay

$61,740

Jamaica, Kingston

$57,342

GOOGLE REVIEWS TOP 10

1

Florida, St. Cloud

462

2

Jamaica, Kingston

316

3

Florida, Pleasant Hill

304

Florida, Kissimmee

301

Jamaica, Montego Bay

273

Barbados, Bridgetown

255

Jamaica, May Pen

209

Grenada, St. George's

198

Barbados, Oistins

195

St, Kitts, Basseterre

185

4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

DECEMBER 2021

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WELCOME ABOARD Say Hello to the Newest Members of the Team!

Jaheim Holness Sales Associate Mandeville

Aloha Wallace Manager in Training Kingston

DECEMBER 2021

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CELEBRATIONS SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES Rheba Cummings Grenada December 2nd - 3 Years Ricardo Maldonado Kissimmee, FL December 3rd - 3 Years Kamel Whyte Portmore December 4th - 4 Years Ethline Wilner Downtown - TCI December 4th - 9 Years Orville Davis Grand Cayman December 14th - 1 Year Je'Vaughn Lockhart Antigua December 19th - 2 Years Samantha Miller December 20th - 5 Years Jesse Hamilton Kingston December 28th - 1 Year

BIRTHDAYS

Stephanie Allen - Dec. 5 Danielle Grant - Dec. 7 Oraine Fagan - Dec. 17 Ruben Parra - Dec. 18 Rafael Sanchez - Dec. 20 Saneka Duncan - Dec. 23 Andy Florvil - Dec. 26 Franklyn Allen - Dec. 29 Ricardo Maldonado - Dec. 30

DECEMBER 2021

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TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TENA WILSON Montego Bay Current Role: Sales Associate Best advice you've every received?

The Best advice I've ever received was from my manager, Cargill Brown. " Make an aim make a plan and work towards it and allow no one to deter you from that".

Top 3 goals for the remainder of 2021?

For the remainder of 2021, my top 3 goals include: 1. Nominated to be join the management team.

2. To be number #1 in the Company in my department.

3. To motivate others by doing what you love!

Greatest accomplishment in your career so far?

My greatest accomplishment has been my professional and personal development.

What would your coworkers be surprised to know about you?

My coworkers would be surprised to know that Iused to sell in the market with your mom everyFriday after school and that is where my passion for sale came from.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family.

BLACK FRIDAY CONTEST WINNERS

DAVE COLLEY OF MONTEGO BAY TOPPED THIS YEAR'S BLACK FRIDAY COMPETITION WITH $11,215 IN RETAIL SALES. WAY TO GO, DAVE!

SHAKIRA SCOTT OF KINGSTON CAME IN 3RD PLACE WITH $10,372 IN SALES. CONGRATS!

COMING IN AT 2ND PLACE IS TENA WILSON ALSO OF MONTEGO BAY WITH $10,372 IN SALES.

CONGRATS TO OUR 4TH PLACE WINNER, HEIDI NEWMAN OF MANDEVILLE WITH $7,579 IN SALES.

OUR 5TH PLACE WINNER IS VALECIA CAMPBELL WITH $6,619 IN SALES.

Black Friday Scenes

Our teams brought their A game to this year's Black Friday contest! As a company, we did a fantastic job beating 2019 and crushing 2020's sales.

DECEMBER 2021

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WEBINAR HIGHLIGHT

CIRCLE OF THE SALE

STEP 3: Demonstration

Present the Merchandise Establish value of the merchandise Create desire for ownership Demonstrate the Features and Benefits based on the customers Needs and Wants Have your customer say, "I'll Take It!"

Upcoming December Webinars 1. Jewelry

2. Sales Standards 1-3

3. Sales Standards 4 - 5

DECEMBER 2021

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Having easy access to the web has radically changed the way people shop for almost everything today.

GOOGLE REVIEWS Best Practices

From mobile phones to consignment shops, it’s rare to blindly make a purchase decision without reading through several online reviews. In 2016, 90% of shoppers read at least one online review before deciding to visit a business.

More importantly, 94% of online shoppers reported that a negative review has convinced them to avoid visiting a business.

Best Practices for Asking for a Review Honestly, just ask!

Don’t beat around the bush when it comes to asking for a review. During every transaction, simply ask if you know the customer is happy with the experience.

Every store will have a easy to use Google Review QR code that customers can simply scan with their phone to be direct right to your speicific locations Google profile.

DECEMBER 2021

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OUR VISION To be the largest and most profitable chain of pawn stores in the world.

PURPOSE Best at whatever we do; because our family, customers, community, & company deserves it.

CORE VALUES

Great Teams Excellence in Every Role Green and Clean Open Culture of Trust and Accountability Celebrate Our Accomplishments

Your Corporate Support Team John Thedford - CEO Chad McGhee - COO Gethin Huckle - CFO Alison Verni - Controller Rebecca Vieira Cox - Director of HR Andrew McGhee - Marketing Director Viktoria Williamson - Executive Legal Assistant

Corporate Office: 625 Main Street, Suite 27 Windermere, Florida 34786 +1 321.424.5919