GIA offers accelerated summer sessions for two business modules

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 5/1/2003 2:00:00 AM

Those looking for a business career in the gem and jewelry industry can take a giant step toward that goal this summer by enrolling in two specially accelerated learning modules from the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) School of Business: Jewelry Business Principles and Jewelry Finance.

These two learning modules normally take 10 weeks but are being accelerated into just eight weeks. Students wanting to learn competitive jewelry business skills can enroll in these modules scheduled from June 26 to August 22.

“These two accelerated summer sessions from the School of Business are an excellent opportunity for those looking to either begin or advance a jewelry career,” said GIA’s Vice President of Education Brook Ellis. According to Ellis, the GIA School of Business is the first school of its kind to teach management skills as they apply specifically to the jewelry industry, and provides a solid foundation to jewelry business owners, executives, and aspiring jewelry industry leaders.

Jewelry Business Principles teaches students how to analyze the marketing environment, understand consumer buying behavior, recognize lucrative retail opportunities, develop innovative marketing plans, implement effective advertising campaigns, and incorporate marketing’s classic 4Ps—a product, place, promotion, and price—into a sound strategy. It is comprised of three courses: Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Retail Management.

The Jewelry Finance learning module teaches how to evaluate and interpret financial information that specifically influences a jewelry business. Its three courses—Managerial Accounting, Economics of the Jewelry Industry, and Applied Business Math—help students gain an understanding of mathematical principles, economic trends, profit and loss statements, and pricing strategies that affect every aspect of a jewelry store so that students can learn how to plan, price, budget, and forecast for success. For more information about the GIA School of Business, call 800-421-7250, ext. 4001, or visit www.gia.edu.