The Plumb Club’s Podcast

Digital First

What does digital first mean? Barbara Garces and Regina Fiedel help the listener understand what a digital-first mindset is and how it is applied. They give valuable insight on reaching consumers effectively, while creating awareness and desire using digital tactics. Additionally, they discuss gathering feedback and valuable data using digital platforms. Further, they discuss a variety of digital platforms, online hubs, project planning tools and data asset systems to help a retailer. Barbara Garces is the Chief Digital Officer and Regina Fiedel is the Vice President of Digital Marketing for Citizen Watch America. Bulova, a division of Citizen Watch America, remains an iconic brand at the forefront of today’s timepiece industry, since being founded by Joseph Bulova in 1875.

A Changing Industry - What Can You Do To Adapt

James Schneider highlights a variety of ways that the jewelry industry has changed in recent times. He encourages businesses to review how they’ve adapted to evolving business climates and quickly changing business situations.  Further, he takes the listener through several tactics such as differentiation, community involvement and digital media, giving insights into how each can augment reputation and grow customer base.

James Schneider is director of sales at Ostbye, a company providing fine jewelry products of exemplary quality, service and value dedicated to the finest retail jewelers for over a century.

Automating Jewelry

Ryan Hakimi explains how automation and technology can enhance a retail-buyers experience and positively impact a retailer’s overall business. He provides substantial statistics on the importance of having, or creating, an online presence and gives the listener actionable tips on how to draw attention to their platform.

Ryan Hakimi is the vice president of C.H. Hakimi, a family business that is synonymous around the globe for producing essential core program items specific to buyer needs for over 30 years.

Capitalizing on Branded Content to Drive Engagement

Jordan Peck and Sara Strauss give expert tips on how a retailer can build a promotional, advertising and social media calendar by capitalizing on initiatives that manufacturers are involved in and materials that brands can provide. Jordan Peck is the COO and Sara Strauss is the director of marketing for Brevani/Color Merchants a leading supplier of wholesale diamond and gemstone jewelry founded in 1987.

Creating Power Partnerships Between Retailers and Manufacturers

Dov Tannenbaum outlines “Power Partnerships”, a deepened a broadened collaboration between retailers and their manufacturing partners, yielding growth in revenue and profit. He takes you through the principles and best practices in creating these partnerships, outlining what retailer and manufacturer winners do differently to outperform in their category. Dov Tannenbaum is a principle at Leo Schachter Diamonds, a leading supplier of America’s major retail jewelry chains.

President of The Plumb Club, Michael Lerche Talks About The Industry Future

Michael Lerche, president of The Plumb Club, speaks to Rappaport's Joshua Freeman on the future of the jewelry industry and some of the exciting and new initiatives of The Plumb Club that will help shape that future. 

Maximizing The Experience

Brian Howard illustrates the importance of augmenting the customer experience by integrating technology into a presentation. He discusses how hologram technology and virtual “Try It On” features help alleviate consumer concerns and ease purchase decisions by building confidence and demonstrating what pieces look like from various perspectives and how they will look when being worn. Howard is the vice president of sales and marketing for Shah Luxury, a company that strives to produce world-class jewelry that not only appeals to the most discerning clients in the US and Canada, but to those in markets across the globe.

The Digital Transformation

Today, “Digital” is a MUST for business. A company’s digital footprint impacts how it is perceived by potential customers. Derek Kristopher helps retailers understand their company’s digital footprint. He goes through the various touchpoints that can impact perception and provides excellent tips on how to review it, manage it, develop and improve it. Further he provides an omni-channel perspective and ideas on how to augment perception by providing a virtual customer experience. Derek Kristopher is the associate director of marketing for S.D.C Designs one of the largest manufacturers and distributers in the American market.  

Understanding The Benefits of Extruded Tubing and Machine Setting

Steven Lerche helps the listener understand the processes of extruded tubing and machine setting and how these methods differ from casting and hand setting. He highlights the features and benefits of both techniques, discusses the precision and uniformity of machine setting and helps correct some commonly held misconceptions about the process.  Steven Lerche is the vice president of sales and operations for Goldstar Jewellery, a premier manufacturing company that has firmly etched itself a leading position as a preferred supplier to most major national and multi-national retail jewelry brands.

Content Is King

Ellen Seckler and Sam King break down the elements of Content Marketing and how to get the most out of this effective tactic that helps give life to a brand story. Additionally, they go through the creation of a yearly plan, the balance of storytelling vs product knowledge, how to evaluate the quality of content vs the brand quality standards and the importance of starting with a complete creative brief that outlines the objective and use of content being created. Further, they discuss finding the best content providers. Ellen Seckler and Sam King are the marketing and creative forces behind Plumb Club Member, Citizen Watches.