Here’s my round-up (a couple of days late) of last weeks best stories and articles for Small Business and Beer Business.
Small Business
I often advise clients on when is the right time to incorporate or form a business (i.e. start acting as a business and not as a person) and why. Thanks to Nina Kaufman (@ninakaufman) for summing this up in this short video. 3 Reasons to Incorporate Your Business http://www.entrepreneur.com/video/224126
In real estate, it’s all about “location, location, location.” In small business, it’s all about “planning, planning, planning.” That means that, at least for a period of time, your personal and business life will revolve around your business plan. Make sure it’s thorough. Why Your Business Plan Is Probably Incomplete http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224195
Remember, even if you’re small business, it’s not all about you. Your team (internal or external) is what will make the biggest difference to your success. To Be Number One, Get the Right Number Two http://blogs.hbr.org/kanter/2012/08/to-be-number-one-get-the-right.html
More on Leadership: Crisis management is a topic for every small business person. What makes a good manager in a crisis? When Good Management Is a Matter of Life and Death http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/the_leadership_mistakes_that_l.html?awid=4678865509342592577-3271
Ok, so that’s what to do. How about what not to do (on a day to day basis)? The Seven Deadly Sins of Management http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/the_seven_deadly_sins_of_manag.html
Continuing on the HBR bandwagon (they’ve had a great week!)… I remember a line from a movie “everyone *thinks* they have a sense of humor, even the ones who don’t.” Everyone *thinks* they’re a good boss. Are you? Really? Are You Sure You’re Not a Bad Boss? http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/08/are_you_sure_youre_not_a_bad_b.
Employee of my dreams? I don’t think so. I’d settle for a “good” employee. Maybe even “decent.” There are days when I’m desperate enough to take someone as basic as “breathing.” Here’s some things to look for in your employee search. How to Hire the Right Employees for Your Startup http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224191
Beer Business
Here’s an interesting article on what may be a direction for the beer industry/business down the road. Focuses on the technology and sensory options for deconstructing and developing a beer. Yeast of Eden: the future of beer http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/aug/13/yeast-eden-future-of-beer?newsfeed=true
Love that many small farmers and agri-businesspersons are rediscovering the economies that drove our great grandparents. It used to be that brewing beer on the farm was the norm, not the exception. Here’s a great story on it. Maryland farmers try beer production http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-md-ca-farm-brewery-20120813,0,3856297.story
Good LORD! Have you been watching this story unfold? Heineken & Tiger Beer. here: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NH15Ae01.html and here: http://t.co/bFzVv59j and here: http://t.co/fAHyOCGc
You know that right after they planted it, they had to have made beer from it. Can we brew again with einkorn? Bulgarians cultivating ancient einkorn grain http://goo.gl/GQM0E
I happen to think that there should be more of this sort of cross-pollination between the alcohol industries. Cheers to Anderson Valley! Anderson Valley Brewing Co. forms partnership with Wild Turkey Bourbon http://beerpulse.com/2012/08/anderson-valley-brewing-co-forms-partnership-with-wild-turkey-bourbon/
Here’s an interesting article out of the UK. I don’t know that this is a huge issue in the US right now, but with the rising cost & popularity of craft beer, maybe we should be on the watch for tax dodges like this. Bootleg Beer Hitting Lawful Traders http://goo.gl/wY6y4
Speaking of prices fluctuating (up anyway), here’s a good video and article about how/when beer prices shift. Grin and Beer It: Some Beer Prices Will Increase. http://t.co/KALtGRKN
Love Oskar Blues‘ beer, and I’m thrilled they’re coming to NC. IF you haven’t heard, they’re planning on brewing their Dale’s Pale Ale in NC before the end of the year! I was a project manager in a former life/career. For something of this scale, that’s a really, *really* fast build . Cheers to them! Beer Guy: Oskar Blues plans quick build http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20120816/ASHEVILLESCENE/308160019
Not to be outdone, Sierra Nevada has accelerated their build timeline as well. They’ve moved their “open” date to July 2013 (another *fast* build). Sierra Nevada changes opening date to July 2013 http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20120814/ARTICLES/120819909?p=1&tc=pg
I’ve never understood where the stigma for Contract Brewing came from. Just because you don’t physically *own* the equipment, it’s not really brewing? Please. I’ve got to give credit to Shaun O’Sullivan at 21st Amendment Brewery (563 2nd Street, “that’s right, cans.”) – I like his re-invention to calling it Partner Brewing. Contract is Not a Dirty Word in Brewing http://www.craftbeer.com/pages/stories/craft-beer-muses/show?title=contract-is-not-a-dirty-word-in-brewing#.UC0wG69w_N8.twitter
I *just* posted on this a few weeks ago. Sounds interesting, I’d like to hear more. Oregon Public House: The First Nonprofit Pub (VIDEO) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bus-52/oregon-public-house-video_b_1773883.html
Here’s good article on the dangers (no matter which side of the fence you’re on) with market consolidation in the beer industry. One Company Will Soon Control Half of the U.S. Beer Market http://business.time.com/2012/07/03/one-company-will-soon-control-half-of-the-u-s-beer-market/
Speaking of market consolidation… U.S. Department of Justice formally requests more info on A-B InBev/Modelo deal http://beerpulse.com/2012/08/u-s-department-of-justice-formally-requests-more-info-on-a-b-inbevmodelo-deal/
Market impact: How will the weather/crops so far this year effect the beer industry? Here’s the skinny – USDA August 2012 Crop Report: update on barley, hops and apples http://beerpulse.com/2012/08/usda-august-2012-crop-report-update-on-barley-hops-and-apples/
Just for fun
I love Mental Floss (http://www.mentalfloss.com)! Here’s one of their recent goodies: 11 Tips for That Benjamin Harrison Birthday Bash You’re Probably Planning http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/138568 (back when being many meant facial hair! Benjamin Harrison – our last bearded president).
Related articles
- Love on tap: Va celebrating craft beer industry (cbsnews.com)
- Oskar Blues Beer in Alabama (geekalabama.com)
- Brewing Stone Age beer (ancientfoods.wordpress.com)
- Beer Battle Brewing: Heineken’s Bid for Tiger Beer Draws a Thai Rival (dailyfinance.com)
- Brewing up Love: Weddings Tap Craft Beer Craze (abcnews.go.com)
- Yeast of Eden: the future of beer (guardian.co.uk)
- Munich: Three Boozy Beverages Beyond Beer at Munich’s Oktoberfest 2012 (jaunted.com)