@Robert Crosby is no longer first on the leader board! We have @Brenda Milton in 3rd, @David E Ellis III in second, and the big dog @Lawrence Evers in first place! Sorry @Robert Crosby, you are now in 4th ps: not attacking rob or normally making posts like this. more of an inside joke thing between @Robert Crosby @David E Ellis III & @Lawrence Evers

Earlier today I had my training call with Prince. We each drilled twice. One of his comments was that we were supposed to alter the script for appointment setting. So my second time through I just winged it to be about appointment setting instead of closing (Prince knows this already). He asked me to rewatch the lockdown in appointment setting. Sure enough, I had completely forgotten some very important points. Here's what I learned: 1. Find out how likely the person will show up (0-10) 2. Ask either why it isn't a 10 or what would make it a 10. 3. Follow up with ok, why do you believe you should show up for the call. Keep asking what else until they've convinced themselves they really do need to make the call. 4. Give them a sense of scarcity - I ask about this as if you do not make the call it is not likely you'll have the opportunity again, and you have said it is important to you for X, Y, and Z reasons. 5. Be redundant, and finish with asking if there is any reason why you wouldn't make the call. This allows your lead to convince themselves of the importance of showing up by reinforcing why it is important to THEM, using their own words. Plus every time they repeat that they are coming, they are increasing their own commitment to come. Now, I do have a legitimate memory issue, so I do forget stuff. That's why I'm doing my homework immediately this time, so I can't forget it. And yes, Prince, by having to type this out it improves my chance of remembering next time :) Thank you

I did 2 world-wide searches to find the highest quality 8x diamond available for sale anywhere in the world. This is it, and I've got it on hold for a couple from California while we work on completing the design. I've also attached a videos of the two possible wedding bands and a mock-up of the engagement ring and wedding band together. I got some great advice from Prince about creating urgency. The truth is, I can only keep the diamond on hold for them for a set amount of time. So I've emphasized me not wanting them to lose their best-in-the-world diamond while we continue to work on the design. Tonight at 9:30 PM I will have a discussion with the groom about getting the diamond now ($9k), and then waiting to pay for the rest of the engagement ring once design is complete; everything is set for the wedding band, but that isn't needed for a while and so can be paid for and custom made a bit later. This couple is from California and they just purchased their first house this past weekend, so they have an entire house to furnish. I've also added Affirm and Klarna to the available payment methods so they have 0% financing options. I do know that once they have paid for the 5.08 carat oval diamond, the rest of the sale will come along over time. Here's the thing. With the economy, business for Designs by Nathan (R) (our fine jewelry company) has been so slow that we are considering closing it down until we see the economy recovering. I prayed to God that if He wants us to keep going, that he send us a large sale that would allow us to come current on all debt we owe (~$3k), then purchase the custom design software we need to continue focusing on the $8k to $30k market (the most inflation resistant and least seasonal segment of the jewelry industry). That system is about $3k. Then we need a photography system so that we can actually sell our custom, one-of-a-kind pieces of fine jewelry (another $2k). That totals $8k of expenses. The $9k diamond will net enough to cover half of the debt plus the custom design software that we actually need to complete the design process. The wedding band will cover (which they are definite on, but do not need quite yet) the rest of the debt plus the photography system. And the Engagement Ring/Mounting will be the gravy on top to go out and celebrate with a nice meal.

The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. - Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”~ Michael Jordan