Columnists

Coach’s Corner: ‘Tis The Season to Set Goals for 2021

ColumnistsDec 21, 2020

Coach’s Corner: ‘Tis The Season to Set Goals for 2021

Pat Henneberry is all about setting goals for her physical therapy sessions, and she wants to help you do the same for your business.

2020_Pat_Henneberry_copy.jpg
Pat Henneberry is president of consulting and sales training company The Jewelry Coach. Reach her at 512-203-3414, or on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
We are coming to the end of the year, a year that many people will be happy to see draw to a close. But, before we turn the page on 2020, I have some questions for you.

I was at my physical therapy appointment recently. I’ve been in PT for three years. I’m starting to see results and am anxious to start doing more—longer walks, swimming, spinning … the list is a long one. 

I realized it’s time for me to have some goals. For the longest time I’ve been focused on getting stronger but with no specific end game in mind. 

So, I mentioned to my physical therapist that I wanted to have some goals to work toward. 

He agreed and asked me what I thought they would be. I made a list of them and he immediately put me on the stationary bike for five minutes, which I paid for the next day.

It feels good to have a goal in place. I’ve always been an athlete. My days were always training for the next triathlon or open-water swim. 

With the difficult year everyone has had, I ask you: Have you been able to stop and think about your goals for 2021? 

Here are some simple questions that, I hope, get you thinking.
 
— What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
— Is your business prepared for it?
— What are your business goals for the year 2021? 
 
Setting business goals might seem daunting when there is uncertainty, but trust me, I’ve learned that answers give you hope. As business owners, you must make the decision that you will not be victims in your story. You must be the hero! 
 
Ask yourself: What did you learn this year that you want to carry into 2021? 
 
You need to think ahead and set your business up for a strong year of growth. Answering these simple questions will help get you started. 

Don’t wait for Jan. 1 to make your move. Start now!
 
There are many areas of your business for which you can define goals.

Some of these might be purchasing new equipment, hiring more staff, joining the American Gem Society, dedicating more time to your marketing, looking for something new that will bring customers into your store (get creative—there are new technologies in our industry), increasing traffic to your website or building a blog. 

Your 
business is as unique as you are and only you know what achievements would make a real difference to its success.
 
Below, I share the three important steps in business goal-setting for the new year.

Discover. What do you want to achieve in 2021? Define your business goals. You might want to ask your employees for help with this.

Create a Roadmap.
It’s simple—write down what you want to achieve.

Write it in a number of places. Put it up in the kitchen, next to the cash register, on the back door as you walk out. Dream big.

When I was a competitive swimmer our coach made us write down the time we wanted to beat. I had it on my locker, on the front of my notebook, I even wrote it on my hand (thank God tattoos weren’t popular back then, I’d be walking around with 56.10 on my arm!).

Get to work. Make the commitment to stay on course. Stay on top of these goals all year.

Now, it’s time for me to get back to my PT. I’ll be swimming soon, and then running up and down the show floors in 2021. 

Best of luck!
Pat Henneberryis a strategic consultant, speaker, and trainer.

The Latest

Silvia Furmanovich Horse Mane Earrings, Cece Jewellery Underworld Triptych Necklace, Almasika Invictus Flower Brooch
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry Design

Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.

Vera Wang
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch Collection

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Andrea Pooler
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

24 Karat Club banquet
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf Astoria

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.

Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Zoë Kravitz in Jessica McCormack’s Planetary Necklace
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’

McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Award Grant Graphic
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards Grant

Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.

dca-laptop.jpg
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry Education

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

David Berdugo
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO

The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.

Woman working at bruting machine, seal at new Grandview Klein factory in South Africa
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

MJSA Education Foundation logo
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications Open

The MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.

26.36 carat round brilliant cut
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

Cast Compass pendant
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only

Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.

Pyrrha The Space Between Campaign
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New Collection

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

Charles London, Mayer and Fran Udell, Mark and Candy Udell
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

Virginia jewelers at charity ball
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s Hospital

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

Stack of gold bangles on denim
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat

The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More Stores

The retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.

Julianne Moore
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as Ambassador

The award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.

Sorellina Large Bloom Inlay Pendant
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New Collection

The “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.

Constellations Over the Sedona
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation Auction

The unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Bulgari Brand Ambassador
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest Ambassador

Bulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.

TJS scholarship winners 2026
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship Winners

Awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.

Model wearing diamond necklace and ring
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove Sale

The top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.

Tom Moses
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 Years

Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.

Charles & Colvard showroom in Morrisville, North Carolina
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price Pressures

Increased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.

Zome Solara Earrings
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial Beauty

The earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.

×

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