According to the company’s managing director Mr Colin Pocklington, “Booking forms started arriving before the formal email announcement was sent and even more applications came in via the group’s Facebook page.” So far, more than 30 members are on the 2019 waiting list.
With more than 500 stores across Australasia, Nationwide’s diamond expert Ms Cindy Eidukevicius-Jones conducts the training for the region’s members and staff, aiming to enhance industry knowledge, skills and, ultimately, sales.
Jones is a Fellow of the GAA, a GAA Gemmology Graduate, an HRD Graduate and has obtained a Diploma in Diamond Technology. She has also conducted diamond training at trade fairs for more than 15 years, and guided group members through Antwerp diamond transactions.
“With trading continuing to be difficult in the jewellery industry, we are always looking at ways to further assist our members,” Pocklington said.
“The demand for custom design and make continues to grow, so it is important that jewellers have strategies to attract a significant share of this market. Our custom design website directory, supported by national digital marketing and our Antwerp marketing program to assist members in attracting additional business.”
The group will set to schedule the dates for its Retail Jewellery Business Management Course. The course is part of its Industry Best Practice Program and is comprised of 10 modules which includes marketing, visual merchandising, personnel and business ownership.
Launched in August 2018, the course developed as part of a response to difficult trading conditions in recent years.
“It covers all of the components or ‘hats’ that a successful jewellery business owner or manager needs to be competent with. But it goes a step further and introduces several aspects of retail science that until now have not been implemented by smaller retailers,” Pocklington said.
Six courses were held last year – Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney (twice) and in Auckland with more than 50 completing the full day program.