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49 www.thejewelrybook.com Many think of sales as a boring, technical, nose-to-the-grindstone, business-oriented type of work. A job where you must make calls, crunch numbers, talk to customers, and try to make quota. But the truth is, sales is much more creative—more an art form—than most people recognize. If you want to get ahead as a sales professional, it's important to stay cre- ative and embrace outside-the-box thinking to fi nd customers. Sales professionals are adaptable creatures who learn quickly, and they constantly fi nd new ways to push boundaries. But because of this inherent ability, sales associates can just as easily fi nd themselves growing bored. To remain motivated and competitive, encour- age your top pitch men and women to recharge! An uplifting and imaginative sales process is not only worthwhile for growth, it's imperative. To that end, consider these three tips for reinvigorating your own inner sales super- star. Sociably Seek Out Buying Sources. At the end of the day, the person buying the jewelry is your customer, so seek them out. Before computers, people would join golf clubs and attend social gatherings and fund- raising galas to fi nd buyers. And while all our modern technologies for customer relation- ship management and communications are helpful, there's a lot to be said for building relationships face to face. There's a reason why so much business got done the old-fash- ioned way; it's the best place for people to re- lax and get to know each other outside an of- fi ce. Today there is less of that and more of social media. A perfect blend of both? The events section on Facebook where you can see who is attending specifi c events and decide if you want to meet friends there. Break out of your routine. Take stock when feeling burnt out and realize that noth- ing is wrong with you—you just need a break! Put on your headset and listen to a couple of songs. (Some heart-pumping, upbeat music always does it for me!) Try some music throughout your day and see what a differ- ence it makes. Or, work remotely for a day in an uncon- ventional environment. Consider a coffee shop or a library, and make sure you bring business cards to make some new connec- tions. Disrupting your pathway can lead to astounding breakthroughs and maybe a new customer. Alternatively, take a work-related fi eld trip like visiting a brand's offi ce to study their core processes. Widen your lens to what is possible and gain inspiration from the mas- ters. Challenge yourself and don't be afraid to evolve. Remember to dream. Remember when you fi rst started out in sales? There was such magic—every sale was like climbing Mount Everest! Every new customer gained felt like accomplishing an Olympic feat, and every new sale was the greatest success you'd ever seen. Ask yourself: what was it about those days that was different? Perhaps you celebrat- ed your successes more than you do now, and all you need is to add that ritual back into your life. Or, maybe you actively challenged yourself to reach higher goals and you haven't done that in a while. Regardless of what's changed, one thing is generally true: we often forget to dream. Don't be afraid to set goals that seem outlandish or impossible. Pat Henneberry Pat Henneberry is an Iowa transplant to Texas whose 30 years in jewelry sales have earned her numerous awards for training and brand building. She has traveled the world as a salesperson, trainer, and founder of The Jewelry Coach, developing some of the most powerful educational materials and tools used today. Her dynamic personality and em- phasis on customer service naturally complement her role as a trusted teacher and advisor, and she brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, enthusi- asm, and industry connections to each client job in an effort to help expand retail sales. Reach her Pat@thejewelrycoach.com. BY Pat Henneberry PAT HENNEBERRY I N S P I R E D S E L L I N G P A T H E N N E B E R R Y 3 Tips to Sell More Creatively If you want to get ahead as a sales professional, it's important to stay creative and embrace outside- the-box thinking to fi nd customers.

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