Angela Craig PhD’s Post

🤎 My Favorite Black Friday, Thoughtful Friday, Shop Small Friday, List... What are your favorite Black Friday finds this year? Here are some of my favorites that bring joy and make an impact: 1️⃣ Rancho Gordo Heirloom beans + family traditions = magic (I hear you laughing already)! One of our Christmas Eve traditions is a classic cassoulet, paired with a day in the snow—skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and Candlelight service. Rancho Gordo's beans bring this dish (and our table) to life. Steve Sando, the founder, is a former jazz DJ and web designer who turned a passion for food into a movement to revive heirloom beans. Passionate people inspire me. Supporting small businesses like this is such a win! 🫘 📖 Recipe Inspiration Here: https://lnkd.in/gfhDbEED 2️⃣ Bombas Socks When I say these socks will change your life, I mean it. Whether you’re hiking, golfing, running, or fully embracing your inner couch potato Bombas has you covered. Plus, for every pair purchased, one is donated to someone in need. Who knew socks could be so impactful? 🛍 Shop Bombas.com 3️⃣ Quince Affordable luxury that doesn’t come at the expense of workers or the planet? Yes, please! Quince partners only with factories that prioritize safety and equitable wages. From cashmere to cookware, they have something for everyone—and it’s all beautifully made. 🛒 Explore Quince Black Friday Deals https://lnkd.in/gr8aU93g 4️⃣ For the Thinkers For the critical thinker in your life, IRA Chaleff’s new book To Stop a Tyrant is a must-read. It explores the power of political followers to challenge toxic leaders—no matter where you fall on the political spectrum. Thought-provoking and timely. 📘 Check It Out on Amazon 💡 Or my #1 favorite - skip the shopping altogether—donate the money and plan an experience gift with the people you cherish. Memories last longer than things anyway! What are your favorite Black Friday finds this year? I’d love to hear! 🛍✨ hashtag #ShopSmall hashtag #ThoughtfulFriday hashtag #EcoFriendlyLiving hashtag #BlackFriday PS: This post was formatted by AI. The original version had about 10 more emojis. 🤣

Are you worried about your food business once the Christmas rush has died down? Calling all food business owners... have you been spending every waking moment in the last few months making sure you're set for the Christmas and the New Year rush? Creating and designing themed menus, marketing your Christmas deals and making sure your business stands out from the crowd. Once the work parties & family meals out have died down, the clock has struck midnight and another year is welcomed in are you in a position to put your feet up and relax or are you filled with fear and worry about how you'll draw in the business in January & February? If you haven't got the time or energy to start the rat race all over again, why not enlist some help. Whether you own a cafe, bar, restaurant or have a food delivery business, we will showcase your dishes and present stunning, mouth-watering images that draw in the crowds. Promote your business with premium photos that stand out against your competitors and put you in the leading spot. With jaw dropping savings on our premium photography package this Black Friday, prepare to unlock incredible deals you won't want to miss out on! ⏰ Set your alarms or sign up to our newsletter (link in comments 👇) for early access to our Black Friday smashing deal. 🛎 Follow my Hashtag #apFoodCreations for more 📩 DM or email [email protected] for any queries or to discuss our photography packages #blackfriday #foodphotography #hospitality #foodandbeverage #restaurant

Practical products work the best. Most things in the kitchen are good ideas...

Friendsgivings and Thanksgiving are right around the corner, and with them comes the age-old question: what should I bring? We all know the struggle—You’re torn between a classic bottle of wine or the store-bought dessert. While there’s nothing wrong with tradition, sometimes it feels like every other guest shows up with the same old thing. You can spice things up a bit this year by bringing something that’ll make your hosts beam not just with smiles but with genuine appreciation. Here’s a lighthearted look at some cliché gifts you might be tempted to bring, along with 10 thoughtful alternatives that are sure to show your hosts just how much you care. https://lnkd.in/et_M7WtK

You might not have heard of this paradox, but it might just help you navigate this time of year:   “The Abilene Paradox”   This is when a group agrees on a course of action that no one individually wants because they think it’s what everyone else wants.   Everyone is actually opposed to the decision, but they go along with it - they don’t want to rock the boat.   It’s like Grandma suggesting a full-on Christmas dinner with all the trimmings because she thinks everyone expects it.   The thing is, everyone says yes and goes along with it, even though they would all much prefer to just chuck some meat on the BBQ, whip up a couple of salads, and maybe defrost some of the fancy-looking frozen desserts grabbed the day before from the supermarket (especially for sweet-tooth Grandpa).   So, how do you deal with this?   Pause before agreeing. Reflect. Is this really what you want?   Then, understand you might be making assumptions about how others are feeling. Gently float your perspective (in line with the Datamine value written on the mug I'm holding here: "Honesty with Empathy"):   “I was just thinking, what if we kept Christmas dinner a bit simpler this year? I’m open to what the family wants, but I think we could still have a nice time together without all the usual prep. What do you think?”   From here, you’ll most likely get a couple of “I don’t mind”s or “Simpler might be nice…” responses if this is truly the Abilene Paradox in motion.   From here, you can ask a few more questions, understand if this is truly how everyone is feeling, and come up with a plan for the simpler Christmas dinner the gang truly seems to want.   BUT – perhaps you do receive one or two: “Oh, but I LOVE the trimmings!” There is still an avenue to form a compromise:   “Cool, if everyone is happy with this, let’s still make a plan so everyone pitches in. How can we make this easier? Let’s go through the list and see if we can take something away or swap something out.”   Hope this helps!     #facilitation #facilitationtricks #familydynamics #teamdynamics

We are celebrating America's birthday this week with a recipe from Lucy's Lounge: The “Sales & Marketing Firecracker” Cocktail 🎆🍹🇺🇸 Grab the recipe below: Ingredients: • 2 oz. Vodka (The Sales Base) – Smooth, strong, and gets the job done. • 1 oz. Blue Curacao (The Marketing Creativity) – Adds a vibrant splash of creativity. • 1 oz. Cranberry Juice (The Conversion Sweetener) – Brings in the sweetness of a successful conversion. • 1 oz. Lemonade (The Campaign Booster) – Refreshing and energizing, just like a great campaign. • 1 oz. Sparkling Water (The Engagement Fizz) – Adds a fizzy touch to keep the excitement bubbling. • Fresh Blueberries and Raspberries (The Target Audience) – Perfectly complement the mix and represent your diverse audience. • Ice (The Cool Factor) – Keeps everything chilled and cool. Cheers! #4thofjuly #lucyslounge #salesandmarketing

Buying the perfect gift for Dad can be hard. When you know that the perfect gift is beer, Father’s Day beer shopping can be downright brutal if you don’t drink beer yourself. 🍻🌎 Do you play it safe and give him the same old thing he always drinks? It shows you listen, which is good. But many people secretly hope for a surprise and a bit of adventure when they get a gift. So, you might do better if you find Dad a new beer. 👇 https://hubs.li/Q02z8qgT0 To help you get started, here’s how to shop for beer on Father’s Day, even if you don’t like it. If your dad doesn’t like it, we still have a few Father’s Day gifts suggestions that may just do the trick anyway.

☑ Mini tambourines ☑ Mouse traps ☑ Dutch oven ☑ A specific craft beer ☑ This t-shirt What do these all have in common? This year, I made the effort to begin my Christmas shopping list planning EARLY...like in January. I was frustrated with trying to find the perfect gifts and getting into Nov-Dec without any good ideas. So, I made the conscious effort to pay more attention to conversations with these individuals - their wants, interests, hobbies, passions - and started a list on my phone to capture ideas throughout the year. The items listed above and this t-shirt are some of the ideas on my list for this Christmas. Why did I share this? Because this is how WE SHOULD ALL BE LISTENING TO OUR CUSTOMERS...whether you already have their business and are engaged in ongoing discussions - or you are simply in prospecting mode and developing relationships for long-term. When we REALLY LISTEN and pay attention through conversations, research, meeting feedback, or their social posts...it can provide VALUABLE INSIGHT into their needs and wants. This is insight that can DIFFERENTIATE you from your competition, as well as help in providing a great CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE for them. #fridayfeels #listen #customerexperience #sales #MRL #customerinsights #differentiationstrategies #salescoaching

Spooky season is almost here, and I couldn’t be more excited! 🎃 Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year for a few reasons. First, I love getting creative with costumes and figuring out who I’ll dress up as. But second, and maybe most importantly, it’s the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks! 🤤 But beyond just loving the taste, I have to give Starbucks credit for nailing their seasonal marketing. Here’s why their Halloween drinks, like the PSL, are such a genius move, and why other brands could take note. ➡️ Urgency and FOMO: By making the PSL available for only a short time, Starbucks creates that all-important sense of urgency. We all know it won’t be around forever, which makes people rush to get it before it’s gone. ➡️ Nostalgia & Emotion: For many, the PSL is more than just a coffee. It symbolises the start of October. Personally, it brings back memories of this season with friends, and that emotional connection makes it something I look forward to every year. ➡️ User-Generated Content: And let’s not forget how much excitement this drink creates! With millions of social posts dedicated to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Starbucks enjoys endless free marketing. People love showing off their seasonal drinks (like me, ahaha), which only amplifies their brand presence. What are your thoughts on seasonal marketing? 🎃☕️ #MarketingStrategy #BrandLoyalty #PumpkinSpice #HalloweenMarketing #SeasonalCampaigns

Want to know how 133 Million US adults who are fans of, regular drinkers, and occasional drinkers of NA beverages spent their Super Bowl and Valentine's Day? The Zero ABV Project surveyed 685 consumers in February to find out. We are working on crunching the numbers, studying the results, and pulling together insights revealing what's in their cup or glass or goblet or mug or bottle or can... well you get the point. The results will be available in mid-March, so follow us and you'll be one of the first to know when our February insights are available. If you haven't already, download our 2023 NA Beverage Occasion Insights report at https://lnkd.in/eWDYi4Uv.