CRAFT DISTILLING INDUSTRY SWITCHES FOCUS Innovation in eyes of Adversity by Calli Gregg
RECALIBRATE. CREATE VALUE. COMMUNICATE. Building your business during COVID-19 by Tanya Chedrawy
I n a recent podcast my guest, who is a BAFTA award-winner and has worked with the BBC and other global brands such as NBC Universal and Aston Martin, Rhys Waters said, “Create work they see value in and want more of.” It got me thinking of what entrepreneurs and businesses are going through during the current COVID-19 outbreak. If you are either one of them, then you need to heed this advice now more than ever. While we are on mandatory lockdown and being told to exercise social distancing to flatten the curve on this virus, it doesn’t mean we can’t stay connected. In actual- ity staying visible online is your businesses lifeline right now, to staying connected to your customers so when your doors open, they know you are ready for business. If you are still open and are offering products and services at this time, this is also a great way to let customers know that you are still open for business and how they can do business with you.
We are very proud of the Craft Distillers that we feature in Spotlight on Business Magazine from all across North America so we feel that is important for us at the magazine to take a few minutes during all the uncertainty and madness of the COVID-19 outbreak to state how thankful we are to the members of the Craft Distilling Industry and Associ- ations all across North America for doing their part to help flatten the curve and keep our readers safe and healthy. We along with our readers wanted to send along how appreciative we are of the incredibly long hours that are being put in by these craft distilleries as they place their normal business practices on hold and completely reconfigure their business focus to do what they are best-suited to do – as they use their unique skills and knowledge to quickly produce safe and effective hand sanitizers that will hopefully keep us all safe until such time as those in the actual hand sanitizer industry can catch up to meet the demand of these products during this crisis. We feature businesses and spotlight industries from all across North America and it is extremely heartwarming to see the efforts and the ‘behind the scenes’ collaboration, collegiality and common purpose that is taking place between distilleries as formulations and resources are being shared to try and meet the demand for hand sanitizers as we look to flatten the curve of this virus. We also want you to know that we understand that even with your combined industry resources that Craft Distillers cannot possibly meet the increasing demands being placed upon them for hand sanitiz- ers as calls come in. We understand that you will not be able to help everyone, but that you are trying your hardest to keep everyone safe and healthy in this time of need and for that we are truly grateful.
These are the distilleries that have been or will be featured in Spotlight on Business Magazine that are currently producing hand sanitizers: After Dark Distillery - https://www.afterdarkdistillery.com/ Ampersand Distilling - http://www.ampersanddistilling.com/ Black Button Distilling - https://www.blackbuttondistilling.com/ Coldstream Clear Distillery - https://www.coldstreamclear.com/ King’s Lock Craft Distillery - https://www.klcraftdistillery.ca/ Kinsip House of Fine Spirits - https://www.kinsip.ca/ Monashee Spirits - https://www.monasheespirits.com/ Raging Crow Distilling - https://www.ragingcrow.com/ Stealth Distilleries - https://www.stealthvodka.com/ Tattersall Distillery - https://tattersalldistilling.com/ Top Shelf Craft Distillers - https://topshelfdistillers.com/ Wolfhead Distillery - https://www.drinkwolfhead.com/
Theses are three focus points for surviving COVID-19 as a business: Recalibrate: Take a deep breath or two and remember not to panic. Step back and examine how you can still deliver your products or services in this current need for social distancing. It doesn’t have to be fancy, actually the simpler the better at this time. You have expertise and/or unique products to share, figure out how to still do that. Create Value: You may not be able to see clients face-to-face right now, but you can still create value for them. For example, trainers or gyms can record workouts and post, or do FaceBook or Instagram Live workouts. Go old school and write the workout down! Supply a nutritious recipe, etc. Continuing to share value will reap revenue and marketing dividends when lockdown is far behind us. Communicate: The worst thing I am seeing is businesses remaining silent. Don’t do that. At the very minimum check in to see how your clients, potential clients, online audience are doing and ask how you can help them. Let them know how you are dealing with this crisis and how you will continue to do business with them. That way you continue to build your leadership and sharpen your brand. We will all get through this tough time together. Remember to stay engaged and ask for help if you need it as you are not in this alone and many other entrepreneurs and businesses are experiencing it also and are more than willing to share best practises with you, so reach out and ask.
Stay safe and healthy.
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