CLIENT & INDUSTRY COMMENTS

The Performance Concepts Team showed me the importance of the bottom line...gross profit! I learned to work smarter instead of just harder. Kate and Susan's ability to answer questions based on experience in "real" store situations has been a life saver to me...I don't have to know all the answers, because I have a winning support team behind me. I would recommend Kate Peterson and Performance Concepts to any store owner who truly wants to succeed in this business.

Becky Beauchine Kulka
Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry
Okemos, MI

Since 1998, Performance Concepts has been a wonderful part of our business. Our initial contract for consulting services in the areas of human resource, training and operational management, specific to our goals and dreams, took our business from a $1.8 million store to a $3.9 million store as of 2003. But that was only a by-product of our real success. My partner and I now have systems and personnel in place that allow us to work on our business, not in it. We have time to plan, think, ponder and spend time with our families -- all while making more money! We can't think of a Perfomance Concepts product we haven't used over the years, or are currently using now. Performance Concepts will show you the way -- you just have to have the faith and foresight to follow them. Thank goodness we did, and still do, as we open another store with no more time spent than we take to operate our main store. It's not what Kevin and I do -- it's how well our systems are set up to empower others to do it better.

Ken Dondero and Kevin Kleiner
Dondero's Jewelry & Liz Ryan Gemstones
Vineland & Millville, NJ

The success of any business is the sum of all its parts. As a marketing firm that specializes in the jewelry industry, the most successful jewlers we work with (by far), have an ongoing working relationship with Performance Concepts. We were first introduced to Kate Peterson approximately five years ago through a mutual client. This client was growing at a rapid rate -- and although we would have certainly loved to take full credit, it was obvious that her sellin strategies and training were an integral part of their success! We have the distinct opportunity to be privy to other training programs. Quite frankly, nothing compares. We never hesitate to recommend Kate and her team and we are all the better for knowing them!

Ellen Fruchtman
Fruchtman Marketing
Toledo, OH

Having had the opportunity to know Kate and work with her for more than 10 years, I feel fortunate to have the association with a true professional. She is well respected for her knowledge and ability to motivate people and her programs are always in demand and extremely well attended. Performance Concepts, under Kate's leadership, is poised to become one of leading education delivery organizations in the industry.

David Rocha
Executive Director
Jewelers for Children
New York, NY

Performance Concepts has helped many of my customers grow. They have helped to identify problems and provide solutions. Kate and her staff totally professional and their systems and evaluations will be an asset to any size business. They have a knowledge and feel for the business that is unparalleled in the jewelry industry.

Andrew Meyer
Andrew Meyer Designs, L.L.C.
Ft. Washington, PA

Kate Peterson has literally transformed our company. She has energized our staff with her Training programs and the client Development System. We now have a complete Hiring Orientation and Training program, in addition to a complete Employee Manual. Kate is a true professional who truly understands the challenges of all business owners.

Bob Zagaros
Bergstrom Jewelers
Minneapolis, MN

When Leading Jewelers of the World needed to create a training program for its members that would be both unique in concept and deliverable in an easy to grasp format, my first choice - in fact my only choice - was Performance Concepts. They bring jewelry industry knowledge, experience and an empathetic understanding of what it takes to successfully teach and implement tailored programs that really do make a difference in the success and well-being of their clients. And they bring an honest "tell it like it is" approach to their dealings as well. I personally recommend them. I truly believe that they are the best and most innovative management, consulting and training firm in our industry.

Jack Gredinger
Executive Director
Leading Jewelers of the World
New York, NY

When Waldman needed "The Best" to create a training program for our ideal jewelry line, we were told that there was only one choice -- Kate Peterson. Starting last summer we had the pleasure of working with Kate, mainly watching her team take the ball and run with it. The result was a training program that we are proud to present to our customers which included DVD, Learner's Guide, Leader's Guide, flip chart and consumer brochure. One of the country's biggest buying groups has bought our product and is using the trainnig program. The feedback from the field has been execellent. Performance Concepts' team will be continuing to work with us as we expand this program. We are proud to have them as our partner.

Kenny Freidman
Managing Partner
Waldman Diamonds Complete

Kate Peterson of Performance Concepts has been responsible for the development of the Isee2 Training Program. Under her capable leadership, our program has been enhanced both professionally and practically. Our retail partners all report that the training, both in-store and at our intensive one day implementation training day event, have been instrumental in understanding the Isee2 key concepts and philosophical ideology on one level, as well as enhancing the selling experience of their sales team on a practical level. Kate's own level of expertise, as well as that of her associates, was clearly visible in the highly professional and comprehensive seminar training material she created for our Isee2 Symposium event in 2004. Her easy to follow manuals, vast knowledge of the diamond and jewelry industry, and approachable and humorous nature have ensured that our retail partners are armed with the best training available. The results are increased diamond sales and professional and knowledgeable presentation to their customers. We consider Kate an integral part of our Isee2 team.

Davy Lapa
Isee2/Overseas Diamonds
Antwerp, Belgium

Performance Concepts is comprised of a group of insightful and talented professionals whose work product for the Diamond Council has led to the most successful period in the sixty year history of our organization. Their understanding of the realities of our industry and how to apply that understanding to create success for their clients is unsurpassed.

Terry Chandler
Executive Director
Diamond Council of America
Nashville, TN

What would Kate do? That is what we ask ourselves when we are in a pickle. Kate Peterson and Performance Concepts is the best money I have invested. I look at it as an investment in myself and my company. Kate has helped me to delegate and get out of the way, to let my well trained employees do what I have empowered them to handle. Kate has given me time to run the business and enjoy the success. Whenever a situation comes up and I need some coaching, I can call or e-mail and i get a prompt response. Kate has become my mentor. She has helped me to grow and become confident in running a business. Kate has the tools and resouces to help grow a business. The employees will learn to value Kate and her expertise in the jewelry industry. I feel confident having Kate on my side. Kate has taken the fear out of being the boss and put fun back into the job because of the confidence you learn and give your employees.

Beth Guntzviller
Miner's North Jewelers
Travers City, MI

Our store needed a complete overhaul in terms of how we dealt with our employees and that's why we hired Performance Concepts. With their help, we developed a Mission Statement and core values, a complete employee manual, standards of performance and a re-working of our sales staff compensation. They've given us great tools to help us grow and we use them almost every week. Their Weekly Meeting book is a wealth of valuable information and we also use their "HardWired™" hiring guide when looking for new staff. Kate personally visits our store twice a year to give us constructive advice and to work with our employees. Because of PC's connection to so many great stores and manufacturers, their knowledge of what's happening in the jewelry industry has given us great ideas to implement. Fortunately for us, we've also developed a wonderful friendship.

Steve Ballin
King Furs and Fine Jewelry
Memphis, TN

What an absolute surprise and delight to have Gary Lamos as our trainer. I firmly believe that he is the best so far. He left us with some great thoughts, gave us some good motivation, and began some new friendships. Thank you again for choosing Gary!

Buddy Anderson
Tara Fine Jewelry Co., Inc.
Buford, GA

Performance Concepts has made an incredible difference in the growth of our company...the HardWired™ hiring profile system and associated training have been immeasurable in creating and keeping our great staff! Additionally, the very personal attention to our needs has made Kate and Susan an integral part of our family. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with them.

Jeff Jaffe
President, Harold Jaffe Jewelers
Toledo, OH

My organization, "The Continental Buying Group" (an association of 80 retailers with 310 storefronts and a billion dollars in retail sales) contact Kate three years ago to give an hour seminar on various topics twice a year, during our privately held Buying Shows. These seminars were so informative and so well received by our retailers that we now have started conducting four-hour long round table discussions, with Kate and her staff serving as mediators. i ahve been involved in the jewelry business for 25 years and have always learned something new from these presentations. I would highly recommend Kate Peterson and her company, Performance concepts.

Andie Weinman
President
Continental Buying Group
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Our company has grown from a single store to a chain with 6 locations. We now employ over 150 associates. Over the years, Performance Concepts has been an integral partner in developing an atmosphere of clear, concise, and honest communication within our organization. i am pleased to say that "employee problems' are not a significant issue at Day's Jewelers. Performance Concepts has been an important partner in developing tailored programs for Hiring, Associate Development, Management Training and Client Development.

Jeff Corey
President
Day's Jewelers
Waterville, ME

Kate has a great way of focusing discussions on the key issues, rather than just letting the discussion ramble on in an unproductive fashion. It leads to solutions.

Georgie Gleim
Gleim The Jeweler
Palo Alto, CA