Favorite Tips
It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.
Henry Ford
The key to productivity is NOT working faster, but working more efficiently. To increase productivity, find areas of wasted time and work to minimize or eliminate it.
Avoid any attempts to increase productivity that results in a lower quality finished product. Trying to hurry through jobs usually has a reverse affect on productivity and profits. Hurrying through jobs results in more mistakes causing re-work or damaged stones. When items have to be replaced, it cuts into the profits of the shop. When work has to be redone, it slows productivity. If you do not have time to do it right, When will you have time to do it over?
Take several small well-planned breaks instead of one longer break. Take breaks such as a drink of coffee, or washing your face, etc. between groups of work. This keeps you refreshed, and working at maximum productivity. Research shows that a short break every forty-five minutes actually increases productivity.
Jewelers need to keep in mind that change is inevitable. Customer’s requests are not an interruption to their work, it IS their work. It is the responsibility of the jeweler to balance the salesperson’s pressure for priority action, and completing work already in the shop. They should then see that any additional work is executed with the minimum disruption.
Plan your work and work your plan. If you fail to plan you are planning to fail.