Crafted Advisors’ Post

🚨 Update 🚨 After nearly 20 years supporting major CPG companies like Diageo, Beam Suntory, and Constellation Brands, I’ve decided to take a leap of faith and launch Crafted Advisors —a niche consulting firm dedicated to the Beverage Alcohol industry. Over the years, I’ve watched incredible brands struggle to stand out amidst the sea of SKUs across wholesalers, retailers, and on-premise channels. Brands with the potential to disrupt categories and become household names—if only they had the right strategy and guidance. That’s where Crafted Advisors comes in. I’m passionate about helping small to mid-sized brands scale, grow, and realize their full potential. Together, we can reshape the landscape of the industry and bring more diversity to the market. If you're in the beverage space and looking for support to drive growth, let's connect—I’d love to chat! #BeverageAlcohol #Consulting #BrandGrowth #RouteToMarket #SalesStrategy #CraftedAdvisors #BeverageConsulting

⚡ From Team Manager to Player: Navigating Current Distributor Dynamics🍷🥃 I recently read an interesting post from Ben Salisbury discussing the new dynamics at play between Suppliers and Wholesalers. As the beverage alcohol industry continues to evolve, the consolidation among Wholesalers is creating a new game that will require a new playbook from Suppliers. With fewer than 1,000 wholesalers now operating in the U.S., and each managing 100s if not 1000s of SKUs, small and mid-sized brands face a tougher road to secure distribution and visibility. 🔑 In our latest post, we discuss the dynamics at play and some key strategies for overcoming these challenges:        1.     Direct Retailer Engagement: Build strong relationships with key decision-makers to enhance your brand’s presence.        2.     Create Demand: Invest in digital marketing and data-driven strategies to drive consumer interest directly.        3.     Wholesaler Collaboration: Maintain open communication and provide tailored support to your wholesaler partners down to the street level.        4.     Focus on Strategic Accounts: Identify and prioritize accounts that drive the majority of your revenue. I leave you with some questions: How has the consolidation in the wholesaler landscape impacted your brands, and what actions are you taking to change the narrative and achieve better results? #CraftedAdvisors #BeverageAlcohol #Distribution #BrandStrategy #CommercialStrategy #MarketTrends #BusinessGrowth

🌟 Exciting Insights from Crafted Advisors! It’s evident that the beverage alcohol landscape is changing rapidly. With consolidation among wholesalers, small and mid-sized brands face unique challenges in securing distribution and maintaining visibility. At Crafted Advisors, we are dedicated to helping brands navigate these complexities. Here are a few strategies we’ve identified: 1. Engage directly with retailers to build strong partnerships. 2. Invest in demand creation through targeted marketing efforts. 3. Collaborate effectively with wholesalers to ensure mutual success. 4. Focus on key accounts that will drive your revenue. I’m proud to be part of Crafted Advisors, where we leverage our expertise to support brands in achieving their goals. If you’re interested in discussing these trends further, let’s connect! #CraftedAdvisors #BeverageAlcohol #IndustryInsights #Collaboration #BusinessDevelopment

As someone deeply entrenched in the beverage industry's ever-evolving landscape, I've seen firsthand how strategic distribution and sales management can significantly impact a brand's bottom line. With Five Star Beverage, we've honed in on methodologies that not just theorize but actualize growth and profitability. Swipe through these slides to uncover key strategies that can transform your brand’s approach to distribution and sales. From selecting the right partners to prioritizing high-margin products, these insights are gleaned from real-world successes and challenges. 🌟 What you'll discover: - The art of choosing distribution partners that align with your brand’s vision. - The science behind focusing on your most profitable products. - Practical tips for leveraging data in your sales strategies. This journey has taught me the invaluable lesson that the right strategies, coupled with relentless execution, pave the way for sustainable brand growth and profitability. Let's connect and discuss how these strategies can be tailored to fit your brand's unique narrative and goals. Together, we can chart a course for success that’s both ambitious and achievable. #LeadershipInBeverage #StrategicGrowth #ProfitabilityFocused #BrandSuccess

Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, is gearing up to help brands kickstart their 2025 distribution plans with a free 3-part webinar series titled "How to Grow Your Distribution, Build Your Brand, and Sell More Cases." Every year, Sid hosts this series for Beverage Trade Network’s customers from competitions and trade shows, and now others can join in to gain valuable insights. Each session is designed to progressively guide participants from brand readiness to forging successful distributor partnerships and achieving long-term growth. The first webinar, scheduled for 9 am PST on December 20, 2024, focuses on laying the foundation to ensure brands are "distribution-ready" and appealing to potential partners. Here’s what this 60-minute session will cover: Creating a Distribution-Ready Brand: Essential brand assets, marketing materials, and legal preparations. Crafting an Irresistible Pitch: Insights into what distributors look for and how to communicate it effectively. Standing Out in a Crowded Market: How to develop a compelling brand story that resonates with distributors and highlights unique selling points. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare your brand for growth in 2025. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dKXrnWN8 USA Ratings Sid Patel Beverage Trade Network

Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, is gearing up to help brands kickstart their 2025 distribution plans with a free 3-part webinar series titled "How to Grow Your Distribution, Build Your Brand, and Sell More Cases." Every year, Sid hosts this series for Beverage Trade Network’s customers from competitions and trade shows, and now others can join in to gain valuable insights. Each session is designed to progressively guide participants from brand readiness to forging successful distributor partnerships and achieving long-term growth. The first webinar, scheduled for 9 am PST on December 20, 2024, focuses on laying the foundation to ensure brands are "distribution-ready" and appealing to potential partners. Here’s what this 60-minute session will cover: Creating a Distribution-Ready Brand: Essential brand assets, marketing materials, and legal preparations. Crafting an Irresistible Pitch: Insights into what distributors look for and how to communicate it effectively. Standing Out in a Crowded Market: How to develop a compelling brand story that resonates with distributors and highlights unique selling points. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare your brand for growth in 2025. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dKXrnWN8 USA Ratings Sid Patel Beverage Trade Network

$270M in failed product launches—nothing like that to snap a room full of hungover sales and marketing peeps to attention! I had a blast being a keynote speaker at the Paramount Liquor conference, where I shared my  𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘺 approach with 150+ people on how to rethink product launches and go-to-market strategies. Misjudging demand is expensive: ➡️ Coca-Cola lost $40M ➡️ McDonald’s $200M ➡️ Tropicana $30M ..... These aren’t small numbers. After 17 years across product, marketing, and sales, working with both Fortune 500 companies and scale-ups in industries from Mining to Beauty, it crushed me seeing the same costly mistakes being made. I created the 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘺 approach to try and change it. I gave away a lot of my secrets on how I do this in the session: ➡️ The 3 deadly sins of product launches ➡️ The $150M framework that helps avoid those mistakes Honestly, there’s nothing like seeing a room full of people have that ‘aha’ moment—when they start rethinking how they work. It’s been an awesome experience, and I’d love to do more of it. ➡️ If you know any companies or events where this could be an interesting topic, I’d love some suggestions— can you drop a comment or tag below?

At the heart of things, developing CPG companies is the lifeblood of any packaging business. Years ago, Joe Sullivan and the fantastic team at Gorilla 76 introduced us to the book They Ask, You Answer, which has been a game-changer in how we engage our clients. The insights below reminded me of the value I gained from that recommendation, reinforcing how we can all learn valuable lessons through the advice and experiences of others. Comprehensive market research, efficient supply chain management, and strong brand identity are all critical to success. Partnering with the right retailers and distributors is the final piece of the puzzle, ensuring you effectively reach your customers. Being a reliable CPG brand is all about building expertise, thought leadership, and leveraging your community to expand your brand's reach. #ConsumerPackagedGoods #CPG #SupplyChainManagement #BrandStrategy

It's critical to understand that in the crowded and competitive world of beverage distribution, your track record speaks volumes. Demonstrating reliability and success isn't just about boasting past achievements; it's about building trust and showcasing your ability to deliver consistent results to potential partners. Why is this so crucial? In an industry teeming with options, the challenge for distributors and retailers is to identify genuinely capable and dependable partners. My near-decade experience in distribution has shown me the difficulty of distinguishing potential winners from the rest, akin to the high-stakes decisions of NFL draft picks. The clearer and more substantiated your value proposition, the more you stand out as a desirable partner, proving your brand as a 'first-round pick' in the distribution draft. As the number of brands vying for attention escalates, illustrating your success and aligning with the right partners becomes not just beneficial but essential for sustained growth. Failure to do so risks obscurity in an ever-expanding market. Is your brand poised to affirm its success and resonate with the ideal partners? Connect with Five Star Beverage. Let's navigate this dynamic landscape to build a legacy of reliability and market triumph together. #TrackRecord #BusinessPartnership #FiveStarBeverage #SuccessStories #MarketImpact #FiveStarStrategy

Driving Growth Through Strategic Territory Expansion in the Beverage Industry The beverage industry is a dynamic landscape, where consumer preferences evolve rapidly, and opportunities for growth often lie in untapped markets. At the heart of this growth is territory expansion—a strategy that requires a fine balance between bold moves and calculated planning. Here are a few of my thoughts about what drives successful expansion and development in our industry: 1. Understanding the Market: Before entering a new territory, deep-diving into local consumer behaviors, cultural preferences, and spending habits is essential. This ensures product-market fit and maximizes impact from day one. 2. Building Strong Partnerships: Collaborating with local distributors, retailers, and community leaders can create a network that strengthens brand presence and builds trust in new markets. 3. Innovating for Local Tastes: While a strong brand identity is critical, flexibility to adapt to regional preferences—whether through product offerings or marketing campaigns—often makes all the difference. 4. Sustainability Matters: Today’s consumers care about how products are made and delivered. Integrating sustainability into your territory development plans not only appeals to conscious consumers but also builds long-term brand value. 5. Investing in People: Expanding territory is not just about reaching new shelves; it’s about building a team that’s as passionate about the mission as you are. Empower your sales and operations teams with the tools and training they need to succeed in diverse environments. Every new territory represents a fresh opportunity to share your brand’s story and deliver value to a broader audience. The beverage industry thrives on connection, and thoughtful expansion enables us to create meaningful connections in every corner we reach. Question for the Community: What strategies have you found most effective in scaling operations or entering new markets? Let’s collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences. #BeverageIndustry #TerritoryExpansion #GrowthStrategy #Leadership