This year, we are excited to introduce the Skills Lab to IJL.
Building on the success of our long-standing Advice Clinic concept, Skills Lab includes two private one-on-one booths and a workshop space, designed to offer tailored, targeted advice from industry experts.
Our packed three-day programme includes experts from security, intellectual property law, social media, personal branding, retail sales training, customer journey mapping, financial planning, pearl jewellery sales, photography and PR.
DON’T MISS: Discover the full Skills Lab schedule here
One-on-one sessions can be booked in advance at our dedicated Skills Lab welcome desk, with some drop-in session available on a first come, first serve basis. The Skills Lab workshop space – with seating areas for around 10 guests – offers informal presentations and the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed environment.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your visit to IJL now and don’t miss out on invaluable free advice for your jewellery business. Register NOW for free entry into IJL and start planning your visit. All those who register and later attend IJL will be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic holiday.
Brush up on your legal knowledge
Got a question that you need answered by a qualified and experienced legal professional? Stephen Welfare of Royds Solicitors will be on-hand on Sunday and Monday to discuss intellectual property and other commercial legal issues. If you can’t make Stephen’s sessions, don’t miss a dedicated intellectual property law seminar by Gavin Llewellyn in The Academy on Tuesday 5th September.
Master photography, social media, PR and marketing
Do your social media channels need a boost? This year, the Skills Lab will host an array of speakers specialising in social media, PR and marketing. Becky Guth and Phoebe Fleetham from Facets PR will guide you through PR strategies and creating campaigns that improve your bottom line every day of the show. Their colleague Rose Swingler will offer daily personalised social media workshops, giving you the chance to ask questions in a private environment.
Elsewhere, photographer Andrew Neilson (pictured below at IJL 2016) will share his top tips to help bring your jewellery to life; whether you’re creating shots for lookbooks, social media or point of sale materials. Don’t miss his fantastic talk on Sunday 3rd from 3pm-5pm.
Does your jewellery brand bear your name? Do your personal social media channels mix with your business presence? Sarah Greenway, director and founder of PersonaMe, will help you take control of your profile and media presence, both online and offline, on Monday 4th from 12pm-1pm.
Master the customer journey and boost your retail experience
Make customers fall in love with your retail store with expert, tailored advice for your business. Lloyd Blakey, creative director of Innovare Design will help you create a memorable jewellery retail journey using his wealth of experience. Don’t miss his insightful Skills Lab session on Sunday 3rd at 2pm. Do your customers get the wow-factor from your store when they walk past? Make sure to meet retail consultant Graham Soult of CannyInsights.com on Monday, who will use his industry knowledge to guide your online or retail store and make it stand out in the mind’s of consumers.
Are you struggling to motivate your staff? Are you worried that your in-store training schemes aren’t effective? Speak to sales training and people performance expert, Anna-Mart Rossouw of Paramount Consulting and get your problems fixed. Anna-Mart will host Skills Lab workshops on every day of the show, so there are plenty of opportunities to say hello.
Jo Henderson has worked as a buyer, retailer, brand manager and a retail sales consultant. Speak to her for personalised advice on your brand or retail business on Monday 4th September. Jo will also host a seminar in The Academy, so don’t miss this business-boosting session.
Boost your security
Jewellers are often targets of frightening crimes, including a recent rise in moped smash-and-grab gangs. Retail security expert, Hilaire O’Shea, of Medusa Protection, will offer one-on-one advice to retailers in his Skills Lab sessions every day from 12pm-1pm. Elsewhere, IJL 2017 exhibitor Fox Surveillance and Security Solutions will give you a run-down of its accredited personal security courses via an insightful Skills Lab session on Monday 4th. During this hour, owner Joel Adlington will explain how your staff can learn to spot the surveillance tactics used by gangs and prevent crimes against your business.
Get expert financial and business management advice
Richard Pope of the Workplace Pension Bureau will help guide you through tricky pension processes, specifically focused on workplace pension schemes for your staff. Meet him on Tuesday in The Academy and the Skills Lab. Chartered financial planner Steve Clemence, of T. H. March, will also be on-hand to answer questions about protecting your business in the event of big life events, deaths and illnesses, as well as issues of income protection, occupational pensions and more!
Essential training and industry insights
Do you need some inspiration for your pearl jewellery collections? Are you looking for more creative ways to sell classic pearl items? Louise Tippey of the British Pearl Association will host an insightful Skills Lab session on Sunday 3rd starting at 5pm. Representatives of World Diamond Mark will also take over the Skills Lab Workshop space on Tuesday 5th to share insights about ‘Part of You’ promotion and how this can benefit your business. Stop by to learn all about this new retail initiative and ask your questions.
The National Association of Jeweller will also host sessions in the Skills Lab, allowing you to find out more about its recently revamped JET courses. Director of Education, Kate Madelin, will host one-on-one sessions with interested retailers who want to equip their staff with the training and knowledge they need to succeed in the jewellery industry. Find out more about Kate’s Monday drop-in hour, here.
Don’t miss an inspiring networking event
The UK chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association will host a great networking session, giving you the chance to meet its founding members and discover how you can get involved. Make sure to head over to the Skills Lab from 3.30pm to say hello and meet new and inspiring people.
Are you looking forward to a particular talk? Use the hashtag #SkillsLab to share your thoughts on social media.
IJL is #withyou bringing together guest speakers, industry champions and new faces to offer authentic, practical and inspirational words of wisdom. Discover more about our seminar programme here.