Christopher Ware’s Post

Check out this awesome article on our Fourth of July event for our troops stationed overseas in Germany! Thanks to the USO for making this possible!

One thing I can’t stand is entitlement. What made me think about it yesterday was a programme on Fortnum and Mason. Four ‘experts’ were tasting different Christmas products from F&M with their equivalents at Sainsbury’s and Lidl. It was one of those silly Christmas programmes because we know your average Lidl shopper can’t afford F&M products and your average F&M shopper wouldn’t be seen dead in Lidl. However what came over from what seemed to be a very well publicly educated member of the panel was his entitlement to F&M products almost like he was slumming it trying anything else. Now don’t get me wrong here, if you’re someone who likes the ‘finer’ things in life whatever that means, you’ve worked hard and can afford an F&M hamper, fill yer boots. It’s not for me but you’ve earned it. It’s when due to some birthright or due to maybe a ‘good’ marriage there’s an expectation, an entitlement to the very best without any particular effort being put in by that individual. For example the way Boris Johnson’s life was set up, he was almost destined for high office, once in he felt entitled, look how that turned out. On a more basic level supporters of certain sports teams seem to think they’re entitled to win trophies. Everything in this life should be earned and if you ‘make it’ measured purely in financial terms I feel a certain level of modesty, accepting there’s usually some luck involved is essential and maybe some thought as to how that good fortune can be shared with those less fortunate. Does seeing blatant entitlement frustrate you? #entitlement #expectation #fortunate

What a difference a few years and no boozy beers makes. Old Grant. Tired. Drifting. Escape. And yet at the absolute top of my corporate game. It’s hard to reconcile. Work hard. Life harder. But how do you know when to do something about the only thing you really can do something about. Yourself? I invented all be booze excuses. Day by day all was kinda ok. Look out 10 years and what will you see? Have you ever put a photo of yourself on an ageing filter? I did and I looked like a near dead bum. What if you believe the next 10 years are your best. That’s what I imagined. To be my own change. Do something that meant something to me. Get uncomfortable and excited again. Be proud of something I created. And still be alive. That was quite an important one… Now I’m the captain of the good ship State Of Play - NZs fastest growing brewery. In the fastest growing segment - alcohol free. Join the rebellion. Entry is free and you get the gift of freedom. Play on. #alcoholfree #businessisgood #craft #bethechange

Also illustrates the security of belonging...

While not widely known, St. Nicholas, among his many patronages includes brewers. In fact, he is the patron saint of brewers. Really. I’m sure of it. I think. The way we think of St. Nick in America begins with the publication of Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Visit From St, Nicholas by Clement C. Moore in 1823. First published in 1823, it is largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, the number and names of his reindeer, and the tradition that he brings toys to children. Prior to the poem, American ideas about St. Nicholas and other Christmastide visitors varied considerably. The poem has influenced ideas about St. Nicholas and Santa Claus beyond the United States to the rest of the Anglosphere and the world. There you have it — we Americans taking credit for another institution and its origins. We’re good at this 🤓 We’re still trying to come up with a believable narrative on how America invented the wheel. But we will — in a bar or pub 🥸. “Beer🍺, it’s what America drinks.” — Stephen Carter King #Christmas #StNick #SantaClause #Beer #CraftBeer #Taproom #Brewpub #ConsumerBehavior #BrandAwareness #BusinessIntelligence #SocietalSubcurrents ✦ ✦ ✦ Stephen Carter King Chief of Growth and Marketing + Beerconomist • Sherpa • Team Leader • CEO of Beerconomy & Co., a Kings Crossing subsidiary Steve@KingsCrossing.com Beerconomy is a data and business intelligence source, empowering people with insights. At our core, we’re both profit and AI driven, and as thought leaders to the beer trade, our mission is to strengthen and guide, fact-based decision-making that impacts business, society and our world

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗮-𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀? That’s a common myth that many people believe. But the truth is, Coca-Cola had a huge influence on how we see him today. Before 1931, Santa Claus looked different in different cultures. He could be skinny, short, or even scary. But then, Coca-Cola hired Haddon Sundblom to draw Santa for their ads. He based his Santa on a poem by Clement Clark Moore called "Twas the Night Before Christmas." His Santa was warm, happy, and human-like, with rosy cheeks, a white beard, and a big smile. Coca-Cola has used this Santa ever since and made him popular in cards, books, movies, and TV shows. They also added other characters like Sprite Boy, an elf who worked with Santa. So, next time you see Santa in his red-and-white suit, remember that he is partly a product of Coca-Cola’s clever marketing. 😉 But also remember that he has a rich and diverse history that goes beyond one brand. What do you think? Is Coca-Cola’s Santa overrated and commercialized? #CocaCola #SantaClaus #Marketing #Branding #History #Culture Some companies and people that inspired this post are: The Coca-Cola Company, Sprite, Martin Lindstrom, John Maeda, Shama Hyder and Tai Tran

Ah, the age-old question: what's the difference between a shamrock and a four-leaf clover? It's a question that has puzzled mankind for centuries. Okay, maybe not centuries, but it's definitely a question that comes up every St. Patrick's Day. I can't tell you how many times I've heard “Oh, look at the cute shamrocks!" when they're actually looking at four-leaf clovers. So, let's set the record straight: — particularly, because I’m using both in some of my branding and marketing. So, until next time we slosh some beers … “Is fearr Gaeilge briste, ná Béarla clíste” ( “Broken Irish is better than clever English” ) ☘️ What's a Shamrock? A shamrock is a three-leaf clover and is the symbol of Ireland. Legend say that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. Yeah, I think I remember that fable. Each leaf of the shamrock represents a different part of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It's a beloved symbol of Ireland and can be found on everything from t-shirts to mugs to keychains and cereal boxes. 🍀 How About a Four Leaf Clover? Four-leaf clovers, variation of the three-leaf clover and are believed to bring good luck. The chances of finding a four-leaf clover are about 1 in 10,000, so if you do happen to find one, consider yourself lucky indeed. Some people even believe that finding a four-leaf clover is sign that good fortune! ☘️🍀 To Sum It Up Shamrocks have three leaves and are the symbol of Ireland, while four-leaf clovers have four leaves and are believed to bring good luck. It's a simple distinction, but one that's worth knowing, especially if you're planning on celebrating St. Patrick's Day. And I’m so looking forward to day! Now, why do people always confuse the two? Mostly, it's just a matter of not paying attention. Seriously ☘️🍀 But other times, it's because people think that anything green and leafy must be a shamrock. And let's be real, when you're wearing green beer goggles on St. Patrick's Day, it’s s easy to get confused. So, there you have it: the difference between a shamrock and a four-leaf clover. And if you're ever in doubt, just remember: three leaves ☘️ for Ireland, four leaves 🍀 for luck. Here’s to a Happy St. Patrick's Day next weekend! “Sometimes, I’d rather be lucky than good.” — Stephen Carter King The Lesson: Be great today — everyone, and be “magically delicious!” Slàinte☘️! #Irish #StPatricksDay #ConsumerBehavior #BrandAwareness #EmergingTrends #BusinessIntelligence Source: The Irish Spring ✦✦✦ Stephen Carter King Chief of Growth and Marketing and Beerconomist + CEO of Beerconomy & Co. with beer market trends, analyses, and news Steve@KingsCrossing.com • Kings Crossing

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Against the Grain should be a way of life! Do me a favor and listen to the song, If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback. It’s a great song that asks the listener to think that life could be over tomorrow. It’s a song about never giving up on life – to live each day to the fullest. “Each day’s a gift and not a given right.” “Leave your fears behind and try to take the path less traveled by.” “That first step you take is the longest stride.” In the first verse, the listeners are asked to overcome their fears and take the more difficult path in life, to take their Authentic Path in life. Why would it take staring death in the face to force someone to follow what they want to do? Think of that for just a moment. Does that make ANY sense to you? The third verse should have been on the front cover of my book, Against the Grain. “Against the grain should be a way of life.” “What’s worth the price is always worth the fight.” “Every second counts ‘cause there’s no second try.” “So live it like you’re never livin’ twice.” “Don’t take the free ride in your own life.” When I hear ‘the free ride,’ I hear ‘don’t believe and follow Society’s biggest lie.’ The free ride IS the easy path. It’s listening to what Society wants you to do. To stay in the box with everyone else and judge each other by the size of your house and the vehicles you drive. It never made any sense to me. Click on the link below to see what Kip Fulks, co-founder of Under Armour, has to say about listening to the experts when it came to him leaving the BS of Corporate America to start his own new company, Big Truck Farm Brewery. https://lnkd.in/eGpfagMY Read the words on Kip’s Instagram post. “People told me don’t grow hops, we ignored and did.” “People told me not to use contract canners; we did.” “People said hire people from the beer industry; we didn’t.” “Now people are telling me to focus on our core market…fuck that, I am going Nation Wide as fast as I can.” Kip’s story is the epitome of going Against the Grain. Here is a short video on Kip’s backstory. It’s worth a watch. https://lnkd.in/e5y5U4qM What would you do if you found out you only had one more day? I COULD TRULY USE YOUR HELP. I NEED TO GROW THIS EMAIL LIST. IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO GET MORE PEOPLE ON THE MORE DIFFICULT PATH IN LIFE BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. IT’S MY PASSION THAT I HOPE YOU WILL HELP ME SHARE. I wrote Against the Grain: Ditch the American Dream and Build Your Own! for you. You can download the first chapter for free on my website: www.craigaperkins.com I also created my newsletter, The Sunday Scaries, which provides detailed instructions to help you find your authentic voice and follow your authentic lane in life. Please scroll down to the footer on any page of my website and subscribe! #bigtruckfarmbrewery #againstthegrain #enterpreneurship #freedom

SUCCESS ATTRACTS ENVY. - A case study of a waitress winning $10M lottery. Ronda Lynn Dickerson must be singing out loudly when she won this lottery in 1999. The Alabama Waffle House waitress couldn't believe the price she has to pay for the good life. I also recall that when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar gave a waitress a million naira a few years ago, it didn't go well with the other members of the team. Some jealous employees even verbally abused the waitress. Bette Midlerea " The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you" As you climb the ladder of success, be prepared to face challenges from people you even trusted. Tips for the day : - Conceal your intentions. - Maintain a low key celebration. - Keep a small circle. It's easier to track your leakage that way. Feel free to add yours . #hospitality #tips #lottery #workplace #foodandbeverage #success #happy #linkedin