Why Are We Still Scheduling Business Meetings the Same Way We Did 15 Years Ago?

The rules around how companies operate are different today than they were in the past because of new technologies. For example, we are able to work together across continents in real-time, check status on production using advanced technology, and manage numerous projects by utilizing the Internet. Yet when it comes to scheduling business meetings and onboarding new clients, many organizations still rely on the same inefficient process that was common more than a decade ago.

The initial inquiry is often as easy as:

"Will you be free Tuesday?"

"No, what about Wednesday?"

"Can you do 4 PM?"

"Sorry, that doesn’t work in our time zone."

What follows is often a lengthy exchange of emails, messages, and requests for information. Design files are sent separately. Business details arrive later. With project needs being talked about in fragmented sections at best, it's often several days (or sometimes weeks) into a project before all the necessary parties are ready to communicate. During that period, lost time could have been valuable. DWS Jewellery asked ourselves another simple question: Why is the first stage involved in a Jewellery manufacturing partnership so ineffective?

DWS Jewelry asked the question, "What is the reason for the inefficiency of the first part of the process when creating a Jewellery manufacturing partnership?"

The Hidden Expenses Related to Setting Up Normal Meeting Settings

Old-style methods of scheduling a meeting have consequences

When companies try to make things work better in production, they are often unaware of the many things that happen before a job ever begins to produce. This is true of how jewelry brands, designers, retailers and wholesalers communicate with each other.

The communication in the beginning stages is key because during this time the parties will be discussing their needs for manufacturing, what their expectations are for the project, and determining if the project can be completed as expected.

When the information is being gathered using multiple emails and from people all over the place in a variety of conversations, the following things can happen;

• Things can be missed that are very important.
• There can be misinformation regarding the requirements to complete the project.
• Many rounds of additional clarifications will require to complete the project.
• Decision-making slows down.
• Delays to project development timelines are going to occur prior to starting any work.

If a project’s schedule has been delayed, this can cause all of the projects in that same area of the facility to be delayed, as many different projects are trying to use the same set of manufacturing resources (for example, two products that want their product completed on the same piece of equipment).

Rethinking the Onboarding Experience

At DWS Jewellery, we know that manufacturing excellence starts well before the production phase of any item will take place.

We developed a structured onboarding workflow designed specifically for the jewelry industry looking to use custom manufacturing solutions, so that you can see your project completed faster.

Instead of scheduling a consultation first and gathering information later, we reverse the process.

Clients are encouraged to submit important information about the project prior to discussing it. Examples of the types of materials that are requested include:

✓ Designs files

✓ Manufacturing Requirements

✓ Business information

✓ Links to Websites and Social Media

✓ Production objectives

✓ Market location

The goal of this method is to make sure we have everything we will need to begin testing, reviewing and investigating prior to having our first conversation or visit.

Why Good Prep Increases the Value of the Conversations

To promote productive business meetings, it's important that we spend more time focusing on identifying solutions than we do on gathering information.

By giving various project details to internal teams prior to consulting, we can evaluate the scope of work, requirements, and identify appropriate specialists for each project.

Thus, the first meeting will be about what is most important:

Feasibility of Product

Will we be able to build it in an efficient manner while maintaining the same quality? Are there technology issues to be addressed before we can begin production?

Materials and Manufacturing Methods

What classes of materials, gemstones, metals, and methods of production will most effectively meet the goals and budget of this project?

Cost Optimization

How does one maintain the cost of production while also maintaining quality, lifetime, and consumer expectations in the production of a product?

Development Timelines

How long will it realistically take for samples/prototypes to be created after final approvals have been received from any one or more entities involved in a particular project?

Production Planning

What is the best way to organise the project to achieve a successful outcome?

When you and your supplier work together to generate evidence to support decisions, you can spend more of your valuable time in productive discussion about how to make your project successful.

Building Stronger Manufacturing Partnerships

Successful jewellery manufacturing is a collaborative process. If the brand and supplier communicate in an effective manner, they have a higher chance of success.

Why You Should Consider:

• Faster Project Evaluation
• Better communication
• Reduced misunderstandings
• More accurate production planning
• Improved efficiency across departments
• Shorter development cycles

Creating a professional and clearly organized onboarding shows you're committed to being a professional and clearly organized business.

Creating A Complete Manufacturing System Begins At The Start Of The Job

Many people think of the process of manufacturing jewelry as beginning with processes like Casting, Stone Setting, Polishing, Finishing and then Quality Control; However, these processes make up only a portion of the entire Manufacturing System.

To Achieve Complete Excellence In Manufacturing, You Must Also Have Systems To Support Collaboration And Efficient Workflows As Well As Communication Processes.

When a supplier has an efficient onboarding process in place for beginning new projects, you will have a clear understanding of what the goals of that project will be and what tasks need to be completed, as well as how much time will be needed to complete them.

If a Jewelry Manufacturing Company / Brand invests in systems prior to the start of production, the company can expect to avoid unplanned delays, more accurate and timely decisions and an enhanced experience for all those involved in the manufacturing process.

How Business Meetings Will Evolve in the Future

As sectors across the globe are developing and evolving, organisations should examine their historical processes that do not work for today’s world.

When you consider scheduling meetings, think about how you can create value in every meeting.

With the structured onboarding process at DWS Jewellery, we help brands, designers, retailers and wholesalers to start their own journey towards successful jewellery manufacturing with a lot more clarity and confidence.

To become a high-quality producer of luxury jewelry, or custom jewelry for clients, there are many things you must do besides produce attractive-looking jewelry, like having an efficient production operation, collaborating effectively with your suppliers and developing positive long-term business relationships with your suppliers. To develop your company, you must start working together with others in the jewelry business before you start creating your first piece.

If you are searching for a more organized, productive method of going through the process of creating custom-designed jewelry (or creating one-of-a-kind jewelry), then consider what DWS has to offer in terms of an improved onboarding process and see how it can lead to being more efficient or effective throughout the entire jewelry manufacturing process.