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Internalizing Diversity and Inclusion for Craft Breweries

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The Brewers Association recently published Diversity Best Practices for its members. This 5-part series is a great resource to help breweries with diversity and inclusion efforts. We encourage every brewery to at least consider such efforts laid out by the BA.

It is important to point out that with diversity comes difference, and differences can–and often do–increase conflict opportunities. This isn’t to say diversity is bad. On the contrary; a diverse team expands talents and problem solving, enables progress and exposes more people to more experiences. But only if it the differences that accompany diversity are managed properly.  Just having diversity is not good enough, and the BA knows this. 

In the A Diversity Framework for your Hands section (“hands” meaning your work team), the BA suggests using “training and other workforce education efforts to minimize bias and to productively anticipate and resolve conflict.” This is precisely what we do here at OvalOptions. Our services (mediation, training, consulting, coaching, facilitation) help clients understand, embrace and manage differences, thereby enhancing diversity and strengthening their team.

Additionally, the BA says, “Use organizational climate and job satisfaction surveys to regularly ‘take the temperature’ of your workforce.” Again, that’s what we do. Whether it’s a one-time survey, or through our VENTIT(TM) program, we help clients “read” their workforce, understand that reading, and suggest and provide methods that are appropriate for each situation.

Through our various services, we have helped breweries overcome significant challenges, from trademark infringement to partnership disagreements.

Please "Have a Beer" Responsibly

Pub Dialogue2

Pub Dialogue2

The new #OpenYourWorld Heineken commercial is turning some heads. Instead of depicting upscale parties, a fun night out or just fun times between friends, it highlights the differences between people that make us unique, and which make us uncomfortable. Addressing and living with such diverse differences is a source of social and political tension. What this commercial suggests is that we can all sit down and talk about these, civilly, over a beer. Key word is "can". While the commercial does not illustrate bringing opposing views together over a beer as being easy, and tensions can be sensed, there are many things that can go wrong if such an exercise was followed without taking precautions.

We believe discussing issues is paramount to human society, and must not be engaged in lightly.A little bit of booze could loosen some personal taboos and open the door to flexibility and empathy, but this should not be relied upon. Alcohol can also increase aggression, limit tolerance and weaken and complicate communication. Beer does not automatically open your world.Even without alcohol, communication is vulnerable. Communication is very difficult to begin with. There are many moving parts, subtle signals, nuances and unconscious reactions. Add value differences and emotions to this complex mix and things can go wrong quickly and intensely. Sober, tipsy or drunk, communication can (and has) gone haywire.It is also important to realize that things won’t change in the time it takes to share a beer. People won’t suddenly understand each other in 30 minutes or an hour.

The goal should go beyond achieving a sit-down.How issues are discussed and what happens afterword are critical. Sitting down and talking is a good start, but it must be an enjoyable experience first, with participants leaving feeling good about what happened. This means debate is a no-no, as are preaching, lecturing and ad hominem phrases. Curiosity is as important as honesty.The commercial does not outline the selection of its participants. It seems they are strangers, but it also seems that they have agreed to some sort of experiment. This may indicate that the participants are flexible to experience something new and willing for an adventure.This is not to say that sitting down two strangers to talk about contentious issues over a beer is impossible or a bad idea. Far from it, but certain protocols must be in place and followed for such an occasion.

An experienced facilitator can help keep participants on topic and civil while allowing each to voice their positions and interest. The facilitator can take notes on hot-button topics and what issues may need more attention, while helping clarify comments and reactions.Since starting ourPub Dialoguesseries in January 2012, we have come to realize that having our participants come to agreement is not only impossible, but unwanted by the participants and, really, by us. It is perfectly OK to have differing viewpoints. What divides us and pushes our positions to extremes is how we discuss these differences, their source, effects and problems they encounter.  There is an unseen line on both he Left and the Right that when crossed, discussion ceases, problem solving diminishes and divisions widen. What we realized is that while we cannot/do not wish to erase differences, what we can and want to do is bring the extremes of each issue close enough together so that they can and are willing to discuss issues civilly. From there, we can cultivate cooperation, creativity and solution development.

What is the Craft Beer Revolution?

freestate

freestate

Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer Company (makers of Sam Adams), claims the revolution is slowing down. His New York Times op-ed explains his perspective, with the main reasons being pressure in various forms from multinational brewers, some “slack government antitrust oversight”, and distribution control. He has his points, and his article has its critics. A Men’s Journal articleasked Greg Doroski, head brewer at Threes Brewing, to respond to Mr. Koch’s opinion. His take is that while he agrees with Mr. Koch that such external threats exist, some threats internal to craft beer are just as real. After all, Boston Beer is larger and its influence stronger relative to almost all craft breweries.

It seems Mr. Doroski feels that infighting for shelf and tap space threatens the industry. And then, of course, a very big breweryresponds.We can discuss endlessly about who is right and who is wrong, but I want to venture to question part of the premise; what is the “craft beer revolution”?  On the surface, the answer seems obvious; the increased number of craft breweries in the U.S., currently hovering somewhere around 5,000. And we can discuss theBrewers Association definition of “craft brewing”. But that gets us away from the “revolution” to qualifiers and into the weeds. The above opinions and articles concentrate on one area of the beer industry: external sales. Indicators used to gauge craft brewing focus on the normal channels of consumerism, like retail, bars and restaurants. But it seems to me that the “revolution” is not about shelf space, tap handles or percentage of market.It’s the brewery tap room. Sure, not every brewery has, or is allowed to have, a tap room, depending on various state laws. But it’s the reintroduction of the old-school beer/brewery model that sparked the revolution.

It’s these public yet intimate places that brings strangers together from all walks of life. Before these, restaurants and bars attracted clientele with a dedicated theme or image. The sports bar, the honkytonk, the Jimmy Buffett bar, etc. all served the same drinks, perhaps in varying formats. Each venue had their own homogenous clientele.  Bikers go to biker bars, for example. The introduction libations unique to a locale broke the homogeneity and started the craft beer revolution, which continues to attract consumers.My first experience of the revolution was at Free State Brewing in Lawrence, KS back in the 1990s. Little did I know that my first step into that brewery signaled the end of my Budweiser days. I ordered the Copperhead Ale and never looked back. But I remember thinking that while the beer was so different than Bud, and quite delicious, there was something more. Free State was, and still is, a brewpub; a restaurant and brewery. And I saw KU students, “town folk”, businessmen, government employees, attorneys, musicians, and tourists all enjoying the same place. In many cases, they were interacting…civilly…and willingly!  I mean, KU and Lawrence are quite liberal and smack dab in the middle of “red-state country”. It was quite rare to see the Left and Right sharing something in common, talking and laughing together. But, there it was right before my eyes.

Differences didn’t matter once you walked into Free State, and while I haven’t been there in over a year, they probably still don’t. (If you ever go there, get the black been quesadilla and an Ad Astra ale). I live in Denver (well, Lakewood) now, and I’ve seen that Free State experience come out this way. Now, before you jump on me I know Free State didn’t start this revolution, I’m just using it as illustration. In Denver, Strange Craft Beer Company is where “strangers meet friends”; Comrade Brewing invites you to “join the party”; you can drink Bierstadt’s and Hogshead’s session beers all day with much impairment, thereby extending time you spend with strangers and friends. Plenty of breweries in Colorado exemplify this revolution; as well as breweries in Oregon, California, Massachusetts, etc.The effects of the craft beer revolution started with a trickle into retail, restaurants and bars. Now it is a torrent, influencing breweries to take a dip into the promising, and I contend perilous, current.  The heart of the revolution is the small, local business providing their neighbors with the “social lubricant” called beer. The soul of the revolution is the common ground within their walls, where we all can have a good time and make new friends.Is this revolution slowing down? I don’t think so. But if breweries get caught up in the fight for shelf space and tap handles, then they risk losing the momentum and ignoring epicenter of the revolution. Do you disagree? Well, let’s hit the nearest brewery and discuss!

Branding and Trademark Disputes: 7 Things to Keep in Mind

Of the challenges that craft breweries face, the dark cloud of trademark infringement is one of the ugliest for two reasons: a trademark dispute can cost time, money, energy and perhaps the business; and it is reminiscent of corporate industry, which upsets the camaraderie or community aspect of craft brewing.  Yet this cloud persists and can hover over any brewery. If it comes your way, here are some things to keep in mind:

  1. While your business is a large personal investment, challenges against your trademark or brand (or accusations towards you of such) should not be taken as a personal attack.  Easier said than done, no doubt, but if this dispute turns personal, it can get ugly and lose focus of the original concern
  2. Most trademark infringements, real or perceived, are accidental. With so many breweries in operation today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find uniqueness in branding, naming and image.  An accused brewery may not intend infringement or harm.  This may sound trivial, but intent draws a line between hostility and honest mistake
  3. We all make mistakes, which are, by definition, accidental.  Most of us feel bad when we mess up and the last thing we need is scolding.  The best thing we can do is to learn from them and not admonish others for their mistakes
  4. Injuries of social media. Nothing can escalate a dispute more quickly, with more damage, over a wider area, than social media. The reward for using social media is minimal while the impact of damage is almost inevitable
  5. Talk it out.  While a cease and desist letter might be required, it is a cold and impersonal communication.  Yet, it is available at any time; if talking does not go anywhere a C/D letter remains an option.  Nothing to lose by talking
  6. Get help to talk it out.  This is where OvalOptions can help.  Sometimes disputes become heated exchanges, communication shuts down, and parties run to the courts, bypassing an important, and often overlooked, step.  Mediation and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods provide effective, cost efficient and sustainable solutions without negating one’s right to seek legal avenues.  ADR also helps maintain the communal nature of craft brewing
  7. In some cases, litigation may be appropriate.  While this can be a long, drawn-out and expensive option with no guarantee of positive results, it might be necessary.  This is not for OvalOptions to decide or advise.

 

Pub Dialogues session 1.4

Congress and You Our 5th session of the Pub Dialogues will be held at Pints Pub and Freehouse July 16th (Monday) from 5:30 - 8pm.  We will be upstairs at reserved seating.The topic for this session is Congress; how are they doing?  How do you relate to Congress, and vice versa?  Is Congress doing enough? Are you doing enough?  This is a good opportunity to rethink our connection with our representatives, with each other, and perhaps with ourselves.   Let the ideas flow!

Behind the Dialogues...

Part 1: Out of the chat room, into the pub If you have ever witnessed an online conversation that quickly moves off topic and turns into name-calling animosity, then you will understand the primary motive for The Pub Dialogues. This type of online bickering is quite annoying, and when about important topics it gets us nowhere and impedes progress.  Chatter is destroying conversation.  Face-to-face conversation is vital for learning, dispute resolution, problem solving, and progress.Conversations about important and sensitive topics are not always easy, especially when involving opposing viewpoints.  Emotions can run high.  People tend to voice their concerns without listening to others, and engage in debate, where winning is the goal.  However, conversations are not zero-sum; there is no winner or loser.  Just because someone has a different opinion does not mean they (or we) are wrong….or right.During these difficult conversations, it is important to adhere to certain principles or rules. Easier said than done, but skilled facilitators can help. A facilitator is a neutral party who utilizes certain techniques, skills and methods to keep interlocutors on topic, respectful and engaged.  It is important that facilitators capture ideas that emerge (sometimes quite quickly), points of commonality, areas of disagreement, and clarify statements/questions that may be confusing.The Internet has no such facilitator. Online communication is raw, instant and commonly unchecked. This style of communication seeps into real-life situations, where offense, confusion and emotions can increase enmity, polarization and stagnation. Online behavior in real-world situations is ugly. It’s time to return to the social scene and talk. Read Part 2 here