Independents

5 Business Books to Round Out Your Summer Reading List

IndependentsAug 10, 2017

5 Business Books to Round Out Your Summer Reading List

Improving the customer experience through the employee experience, the art of storytelling and a $20 marketing plan are among our latest recommendations.

20170810_Goodreads.jpg
National Jeweler’s list of book recommendations for the remainder of the summer include improving the customer experience through the employee experience and how to master the art of storytelling.

New York--From the “secret sauce” of creating a strong message to the importance of the employee experience in creating a good customer experience, National Jeweler’s latest reading recommendations were made for business owners.

Our editors browsed a few lists of new releases to find five books to round out the summer reading lists of bosses, managers and employees.

Read a good book lately that you want to share with others? Please let us know in the comments section.

1. “Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys: Why the Path to Transformational Customer Experience Runs Through Employee Experience”
Lance Gibbs

There’s been plenty of conversation about the importance of the in-store customer experience  today, but in this newly released book, Gibbs argues first the focus has to be on the employee experience or the customer experience will suffer. It takes a look at the issues that can negatively affect a company’s efficiency and profits, and offers solutions to help give employees what they need to do their best work. It’s 135 pages long.

2. “Let the Story Do the Work: The Art of Storytelling for Business Success”
Esther K. Choy

People might forget facts, but they never forget a story. In this July release, the author helps the reader mine their experiences for narratives that can convey who they are, what they want to achieve and why others should care. The book also helps readers develop the skills to share anecdotes in a way that will link them to professional goals and capture attention, engage the audience and inspire action or a change of mind. It is 256 pages long.

3. “A Reason to Chant: Jewelry Trade Edition”
Rod Worley

Worley is the president of Four Grainer, a business consulting firm that works exclusively with the jewelry industry. In his new book, he lays out the company’s “Actively Involved Marketing” program, one that is designed to drive traffic to brick-and-mortar stores, compel former and current clients to revisit and more, all for less than $20 to set up and minimal cost to maintain. It’s 158 pages.



4. “Secret Sauce: How to Pack Your Messages with Persuasive Punch”
Harry Mills

For a message to grab consumers in today’s loud, digital world, it has to pass the “SAUCE” test, Mills says: simple, appealing, unexpected, credible and emotional.

This book will show exactly how to transform a message into something compelling using a 15-question SAUCE test to measure impact. It’s 192 pages.


5.
“Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact”
Phil M. Jones

A customer’s decision of choosing you over a competitor often comes down to the ability to know exactly what to say, when to say it and how to make it count.

In this new book, Jones, who has trained millions of people on the art of spoken communication, gives readers the exact tactics they need to get more customers to choose them. It is 148 pages long.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Audemars Piguet Grosse Pièce
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at Auction

It purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.

Terry and Cindy Chandler at AGS Conclave
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and Friends

Chandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.

JamAlert 1872x1052.png
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat Them

Sponsored by Digital Monitoring Products

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Rendering of Bob’s Watches JFK airport store
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK Airport

The boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.

Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Diamond ring in parts
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Service

The lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.

Fabergé egg pendant near gloved hand
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé Pendant

The special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Ashley Zhang Jewelry Snake Necklace, Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace, Vanessa Fernandez Studio Curva Wrap Hoops, Hernsdorf Tears of Aphrodite Necklace, Robinson Pelham Tsar Star Earrings, Marla Aaron Nymphenburg Lock, Lof The Valentine Ring
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week Picks

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.

Lucy Hale in Jacquie Aiche’s Love and Desire Campaign
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday Campaign

The “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.

SSEF logo
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

Two awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.

Pandora Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up Early

Berta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.

JAR pendant brooch, fancy intense blue diamond
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQ

Sotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.

The Jewelry Symposium logo
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026

Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.

National Jeweler columnists and PR professionals Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and Engagement

Here are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.

Tiffany & Co. logo, Anna Martin, CD Peacock logo
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award Recipients

The honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.

Stock image of gavel
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Eduard Stefanescu, left, and Sara Yood, right
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards Committee

Yood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.

Tiffany & Co. Paraíba tourmaline jewelry
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’s

Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.

David Webb holiday window
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window Display

The jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.

Oscar Heyman Yellow Green Sphene and Diamond Ring
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene Ring

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

IGI Design Contest Graphic
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting Submissions

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”

Jacquie Aiche Alien Heart Eye Inlay Necklace, Cicada Dragonfly Brooch, Harkness After the Rain Earrings
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool Blue

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.

GIA new colored stone report
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More Gemstones

Starting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.

Americas Gold Chain Catalog Volume 3
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain Catalog

The new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.

F.P. Journe FFC prototype
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8M

The filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.

Rolex Miami store
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in Miami

The new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy