Blair Woodall’s Post

View profile for Blair Woodall, graphic

Spirits Pro elevating distilleries/brands to be exceptional, professional, and intentional. Open for strategy/planning, audits, ops/finance, staff training, and event speaking/teaching. Proud to be a Tall Poppy.

Good overview from the ACSA perspective--pointing out some top-of-thought issues like the fervent campaign to prevent small-business distilleries from connecting with consumers, the general headwinds faced by small- and mid-sized distilleries (as with many industries), and the need for legislative changes that provide distilleries in restrictive states the same opportunities as those in more supportive states. A couple quick notes: ➡ Prevention of DTC enactment has dragged on because one set of business owners are ready and willing to adapt to a changing marketplace, and another set of businesses is not. It is not any more complicated than that. The results of foot-dragging are far more complex, but know that *not a single consequence* is of benefit to the industry and its consumers. ➡ Distilleries are not alone in facing economic headwinds, but the industry is young enough that its players--as a whole--have limited to no experience with building strategy for an inhospitable market. There is little experience in opportunity determination and creation beyond "We make good spirits." Survival through the coming two to five years will be based on developing unified and fact-based strategies that drive tactics and execution. (Note: the most detrimental pattern I see is management's presumption that tactics are strategy, alas!) ➡ Hell, yeah, legislative changes need to be made in many states. But after now watching changes happen in three states, I'll be honest: The distilleries that complain make zero progress, but the distilleries that show legislators how to succeed get the job done. If you want legislative changes, step up. Research what has worked elsewhere, write the proposed legislation, show the benefit to the state, and make it easy for lawmakers to execute. Change isn't driven by complaint. It is achieved by action, investment, and collective understanding. Survival doesn't happen through hard work. It is achieved by focused assessment, planning, and targeted execution.

Michael Waskewich Jr.

Co-Founder of The Bar Book Mobile App - Personalized Drink Recommendations | US Army Veteran (SGM-Retired)

3mo

The Bar Book wants to help with this!

Like
Reply

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics