Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller

In this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, Bert Miller sits down with Scott Northcutt, Senior Vice President of HR at Bacardi, who shares his 15+ year journey helping build one of the world's most iconic spirit portfolios while maintaining its family-owned culture. Scott reveals how Bacardi, still completely family-owned, uses the original 1862 yeast strain and keeps its recipe under lock and key - known only to two people. Learn how this commitment to quality drives everything from innovation to talent development. 💡 QUOTABLE MOMENTS: "Quality is personal to the family. If something isn't right with that profile, we will destroy the whole thing rather than ship something that doesn't meet our standards." - Scott Northcutt EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:  00:00 - Introduction & Welcome  00:07 - Changing Consumer Behaviors Post-2020  02:28 - Innovation in Non-Alcoholic Beverages  04:35 - Bacardi's Mission: Making Moments Matter  06:52 - Premium Brand Portfolio Management  09:01 - Building Performance Culture  13:24 - Leadership Development Programs  15:30 - Creating High-Performance Teams  17:33 - Communication Strategies  19:30 - Future Vision & Industry Trends 🔑 KEY INSIGHTS: How Bacardi maintains quality while innovating for new consumer trends The unique approach to managing premium brands like Grey Goose, Patron, and Angels Envy. Building a performance culture while preserving family values Leadership development strategies including Harvard Business School partnership Implementing radical candor in a family-oriented business 💼 ABOUT SCOTT NORTHCUTT: With over 15 years at Bacardi, Scott has been instrumental in developing the company's talent strategy and cultural evolution while maintaining its family-owned values and premium brand positioning. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US:  ► Subscribe to Beyond the Bottom Line: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bottom-line-with-bert-miller/id1542810489 ► Follow Bert Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertmiller/ ► Visit Protis Global: www.protisglobal.com ► Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-northcutt-838315125/ #BeyondTheBottomLine #Leadership #Bacardi #SpiritsIndustry #FamilyBusiness #Innovation #CorporateCulture #PremiumBrands #TalentDevelopment

Join host Bert Miller in this fascinating episode of Beyond the Bottom Line as he interviews Joe Fortune—CEO (or “Chief Meister”) of Jägermeister—about the brand’s 90-year legacy and its innovative transformation in the U.S. market. Discover how Jägermeister balances a close-knit, family-owned culture with high-performance goals, adapting to changing consumer preferences while staying true to its iconic shot identity. Joe shares insight into the company’s multi-generational perspective, strategic leadership approach, and the importance of talent acquisition for sustainable growth. Plus, learn how the brand’s data-driven focus aligns with Jägermeister’s heritage to create a thriving, future-ready organization. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: •How a fifth-generation, family-owned business stays agile in a competitive beverage industry •Why redefining target consumers is pivotal for Jägermeister’s ongoing success •The role of employee engagement, open communication, and organizational development in building a high-performance culture

In this impactful episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, Bert Miller sits down with Sean Parkhurst, CEO of REDCON1, to unpack his unconventional journey to the helm of a leading CPG brand. With a rich background in finance, lobbying, hospitality, and consulting, Sean shares how his unique path has shaped an innovative leadership style that drives a high-performance, mission-driven culture supporting the military and delivering premium products. Tune in to hear Sean’s insights on building powerhouse teams, adapting to trends like ready-to-drink products, and how he successfully navigated a complex, high-profile energy drink acquisition. 🎙️ Subscribe for more insights from top industry leaders:   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bottom-line-with-bert-miller/id1542810489 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66B0ftjouyzcsr72PY7rBa Amazon Podcasts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K5B2N6P/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_gJL2FbZYRVTH8 Follow Sean Parkhurst: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-parkhurst-mba-bb18671/ Follow REDCON1: https://www.youtube.com/c/Redcon1Official/ Follow Bert Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertmiller/ Visit Protis Global: https://protisglobal.com/

In this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, host Bert Miller interviews Pete Carr, CEO of A1RWATER - Americas, and Ryan Bibbo, COO of - A1RWATER Americas, to explore the future of sustainable drinking water solutions through cutting-edge air-to-water technology.   Pete and Ryan, both industry veterans with extensive experience at renowned companies like Red Bull and Bacardi, discuss how their new roles at A1RWATER are aligned with a mission to combat water scarcity.   Learn how their innovative approach extracts humidity from the air to create clean, drinkable water, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional water sources. With a focus on reducing environmental impact, A1RWATER’s air-to-water solutions aim to address the water scarcity.   From insights into their transition to the water technology space, to the challenges of educating consumers on the benefits of air-to-water systems, Pete and Ryan share their vision for reshaping the water industry.   Discover how A1RWATER is targeting key markets, from South Florida to global regions facing water shortages, and offering eco-conscious options like reusable glass bottles.   Join us as we dive into a conversation about water innovation, sustainability, and the power of leadership in driving change. Explore more about A1RWATER's mission to provide accessible, pure drinking water to communities around the world.   Learn more about Pete and Ryan here: https://a1rwater.com/company-updates/meet-our-new-us-leadership-team/     🎙️ Subscribe for more insights from top industry leaders:   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66B0ftj...   Amazon Podcasts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K5B2N6P/...   Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...   Follow Pete Carr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-carr-a619a737/      Follow Ryan Bibbo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-bibbo-5182411/   Follow A1RWATER:     https://www.linkedin.com/company/a1rwater/   Follow Bert Miller:   / bertmiller     Follow Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller Podcast:   / beyondthebottomline       Visit Protis Global: https://protisglobal.com/

In this inspiring episode, join host Bert Miller as he welcomes back Raul Leal, the visionary CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts. Dive into the world of sustainability and experiential luxury in hospitality as Raul Leal discusses how they've created sustainability as a culture, not just a checkbox.  Bert and Raul discuss sustainability and experiential luxury in the hospitality industry and how guests are now looking for unique and intimate experiences.  Explore the brands’ ambitious global expansion plans, including their sustainability-driven growth with   1 Hotels, Treehouse, and the ultra-luxury Baccarat brand. Raul emphasizes the importance of manpower planning and establishing a strong local presence to honor the unique cultures of the regions they enter.  Bert and Raul also discuss how SH Hotels & Resorts preserves the brand culture during rapid growth, and how his hands-on approach and commitment to sustainability ensures that the brand's mission and culture are not just words on paper but a way of life.  Technology investments in marketing, like AI and data-driven personalization, are being implemented to continue to delight guests and redefine luxury in a changing world.  Throughout this discussion, SH Hotels & Resorts' mission for sustainability and dedication to doing good for teammates, communities, and partners is clear.  This episode is a must watch!  🎙️ Subscribe for more insights from top industry leaders:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bottom-line-with-bert-miller/id1542810489  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66B0ftjouyzcsr72PY7rBa  Amazon Podcasts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K5B2N6P/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_gJL2FbZYRVTH8  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNTIyNjA2LnJzcw  Follow Raul Leal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raulleal58/   Follow SH Hotels & Resorts: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shhotelsandresorts/   Follow Bert Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertmiller/  Follow Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthebottomline/   Visit Protis Global: https://protisglobal.com/   #Podcast #Leadership #Innovation #AI #CocaCola 

In this episode, Bert Miller is joined by Craig Huse, CEO of Huse Culinary Group, in a captivating conversation on how he grew a legacy brand in the hospitality industry.  Discover how Huse Culinary grew from one restaurant, the 121-year old St. Elmo Steakhouse, to generating $70 million in revenue. Beyond the restaurants, Craig oversees the St. Elmo Foods Group, which produces beloved products like St. Elmo shrimp cocktail sauce and seasonings. He's also launched RTD St. Elmo Cola and has ambitious plans for a distillery on the horizon. Their forthcoming distillery marks a strategic move to diversify revenue streams.  This steady, strategic approach to brand expansion is the foundation of their success.  But what truly sets Huse Culinary apart isn't just their diverse portfolio; it's their unwavering commitment to teamwork and fostering positive energy within their establishments. Creating a supportive and positive work environment, coupled with robust training and benefits, has been instrumental in retaining top-tier talent within the hospitality industry.   Craig also highlights the pivotal role guests play in creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in their restaurants. For instance, St. Elmo hosts the unforgettable annual St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Contest, featuring competitive eater Joey Chestnut.  The company's owner-operated model and unwavering commitment to stability and continuity have been key pillars of their enduring success. The Huse Culinary Group is a testament to the power of steady growth, diversified portfolios, and a relentless focus on team excellence.  🎙️ Subscribe for more insights from top CPG industry leaders:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bottom-line-with-bert-miller/id1542810489  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66B0ftjouyzcsr72PY7rBa  Amazon Podcasts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K5B2N6P/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_gJL2FbZYRVTH8  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNTIyNjA2LnJzcw  Follow Craig Huse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craighuse/   Follow Huse Culinary: https://www.linkedin.com/company/huse-culinary/   Follow St. Elmo Steakhouse: https://www.instagram.com/stelmosteakhouse/   Follow Bert Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertmiller/  Follow Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthebottomline/   Visit Protis Global: https://protisglobal.com/   #Podcast #Leadership #Growth #Culture #1933lounge #stelmo

Join Bert Miller in this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line as he engages in an insightful conversation with Stacie Ruen, Global People Development & New Hire Experience expert at General Motors. Discover how Stacie's approach and dedication to fostering a culture of innovation are reshaping the corporate landscape. She highlights the importance of holistic onboarding, emphasizing the alignment of team members with core company values, both at work and in their daily lives.  Through consistent communication and messaging, driven by over 3,000 culture ambassadors within GM, advocates ensure that every team member feels connected to the larger organizational vision.  Stacie and Bert delve into the significance of continuous learning and upskilling, especially within the context of AI integration and its transformative impact on learning and development programs. Despite challenges, Stacie anticipates the creation of numerous net positive job roles.  However, the heart of the conversation lies in fostering psychological safety as the foundation for innovation. Stacie emphasizes that when employees feel secure in expressing their ideas and concerns, it nurtures creativity and inclusivity. Trust within teams emerges as another vital aspect, driving innovation naturally in an environment where candidness and curiosity thrive.  General Motors' culture and employee development initiatives, highlighting their profound influence on customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and performance. Stacie underscores the far-reaching consequences of nurturing a culture of innovation and continuous learning throughout the employee journey. Don't miss this illuminating episode!    🎙️ Subscribe for more insights from top industry leaders:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bottom-line-with-bert-miller/id1542810489  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66B0ftjouyzcsr72PY7rBa  Amazon Podcasts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K5B2N6P/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_gJL2FbZYRVTH8  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNTIyNjA2LnJzcw  Follow Stacie Ruen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacieruen/  Follow General Motors: https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors/   Follow Bert Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertmiller/  Follow Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthebottomline/   Visit Protis Global: https://protisglobal.com/   #Podcast #Leadership #Innovation #Culture #GM 

Join Bert Miller and Lisa Chang in a captivating discussion about The Coca-Cola Company's journey to earning the 2023 Hunt Scanlon Culture of Excellence Award and their unwavering commitment to preserving their unique culture, even during turbulent times.  Throughout this enlightening conversation, uncover the key factors driving Coca-Cola's ongoing success: their adaptability, unwavering commitment to innovation, and a steadfast sense of purpose in an ever-evolving business landscape.  Lisa delves into invaluable leadership insights, resilience strategies, and innovative approaches that have kept Coca-Cola at the forefront of the industry. Gain insights from their past misstep with New Coke, which has changed their internal processes and commitment to prioritizing consumer permission, as seen with the launch of exciting new products, like the ready-to-drink Jack and Coke and Fresca and vodka.  As the company is looking to the future of work, Lisa speaks to how Coca-Cola is harnessing the power of AI to empower and enhance its exceptional workforce, equipping its team for the challenges and roles of tomorrow.  Throughout this enlightening conversation, Bert and Lisa discuss the key factors behind Coca-Cola's ongoing success: their adaptability, relentless pursuit of innovation, and unwavering sense of purpose in an ever-evolving business landscape.  Don't miss this insightful episode!  🎙️ Subscribe for more insights from top industry leaders:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bottom-line-with-bert-miller/id1542810489  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66B0ftjouyzcsr72PY7rBa  Amazon Podcasts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K5B2N6P/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_gJL2FbZYRVTH8  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNTIyNjA2LnJzcw  Follow Lisa Chang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisavchang/   Follow Coca-Cola: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company/  Follow Bert Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertmiller/  Follow Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthebottomline/   Visit Protis Global: https://protisglobal.com/   #Podcast #Leadership #Resilience #Innovation #CocaCola 

In this interview segment from Beyond The Bottom Line, host Bert Miller introduces the CEO, Alex Guy, of a groundbreaking water company that creates high-quality drinking water from air. This technology offers a third source of water in addition to the ground and sea.  Alex Guy shares insights into his journey, transitioning from a finance background to working in the Middle East with a ground-breaking water company. Initially focused on creating water units for military and humanitarian purposes, the company pivoted to consumer products due to the growing pressure to reduce single-use plastics.  The discussion delves into the pivotal moments that led Alex to commit fully to air-to-water technology, driven by environmental concerns, climate change, and the limitations of traditional water sources. The uniqueness of the company lies in its ability to offer a complete solution, catering to varying water needs, from small-scale indoor units to larger outdoor units, all at an affordable cost per liter.  The conversation also explores the challenges and solutions for providing water in remote areas, touching on issues of power availability and the company's efforts to implement solar and hydrogen solutions. Alex emphasizes the company's aim to be the most sustainable water source globally, highlighting the circular nature of their solution and their focus on reducing plastic waste.  The interview outlines the success stories and practical applications of the technology, specifically in the UAE, with hotel partnerships reducing plastic bottle usage by offering air-to-water solutions. The discussion extends to the future scalability and potential impact on industries heavily reliant on water, emphasizing the responsibility of brands toward sustainability.  Throughout the interview, Alex underlines the importance of communication, setting clear expectations, and fostering a team aligned with the vision of becoming the most sustainable water company worldwide. The conversation closes with insights into the challenges of scaling and building the right team to execute the company's ambitious mission. 

John spent 23 years with Kraft Foods in a progression of leadership roles within Logistics, Customer Service and Supply Chain Operations in both the US and Canada before joining Mark Anthony as Vice President of Logistics and Demand Management in January of 2012. John was instrumental in the development of the US based Supply Chain organization and led the implementation of several significant process and waste reduction initiatives including a companywide Sales and Operations Planning Process, streamlined transportation sourcing, inventory controls and improved customer service KPI’s. As President of Mark Anthony Brewing John has led the transformation of our manufacturing network to include the building of three company owned breweries during 2020-2022. Overseeing the end-to-end Supply Chain, he is responsible for all planning, manufacturing, procurement, transportation, and distribution. During his tenure the Mark Anthony Brewing Team has increased capacity by 10x and has grown the team from 25 people to over 650.

Find out what it takes to win high-stakes negotiations and uncover tactics to help you get more of what you want in business and your career. In hostage situations, successful negotiations often mean the difference between life and death. Similarly, in business and in our careers, thoughtful discussions can make or break favorable outcomes. When the stakes are high or emotions boil over, it can be difficult to know what to say, or how to bring others together with you down a shared path. Chris Voss knows how to diffuse high-pressure situations, and come out ahead. After growing up in the Midwest, Chris became a Kansas City police officer and went on to join the FBI as a lead crisis negotiator. His best-selling book, Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, is largely considered the industry handbook for successful business negotiations. Today, as Founder and CEO of The Black Swan Group Ltd., Chris helps others to master the art of negotiation.

Dan Arment was appointed to president and chief executive officer of Riddell and BRG Sports in June 2016. Dan joined BRG Sports in 2001 and has held a number of leadership roles at both the brand and corporate level. Most recently, he served as executive vice president of BRG Sports, member of the BRG Sports Board of Directors, president of Riddell, and president of Bell Cycling Products. As a BRG Sports executive, he played a key role in several transactions including the divesture of the Action Sports business and Kollege Town Sports. Promoted to president of Riddell in June 2008, Dan guided Riddell to unprecedented financial growth and market share totals. Under his leadership, Riddell changed the landscape of football and player protection through game-changing technologies that include innovative head impact monitoring, personalized head protection using 3D scanning technology and a path to the next generation helmet. He continues to be responsible for expanding the brand’s footprint in the sporting goods industry through increased e-commerce capabilities, a strong institutional sales model, maximizing key partnerships, and strategic acquisitions. Dan is also an influential ambassador for the industry, serving as chairman of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Board of Directors. In his role, Dan collaborates with leaders in sporting goods manufacturing to guide industry growth and direction, while navigating challenges faced by these organizations. Dan began his career with the company as vice president of sales for the Mass Cycle Division at Bell Sports and quickly elevated in the organization to general manager. He built a robust business model for the bike brand despite stiff market competition and developed strong relationships with key customers. Before joining the BRG Sports family, he served as the vice president of national sales for the Speedo Division of the Authentic Fitness Corporation and served in broad sales and consumer marketing roles with such well-known brands as Playtex, Mennen and Revlon. Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University, where he played collegiate football.

Tracy Holland is a founder, investor, Executive Chairman, and entrepreneur who is an authority on beauty and wellness with a global track record of incubating and launching brands. Tracy has dedicated her career to creating new brands and success stories by spotlighting innovation, amplifying authentic and celebrity voices in beauty and personal care, and nurturing promising talent--especially other women entrepreneurs. After holding executive positions at numerous standout companies, Tracy co-founded the HATCHBEAUTY brand accelerator in 2009. She has since led highly successful development strategies and launches for popular brands including: Naturewell by Jewel, Nuance by Salma Hayek, BLISS color, FOUND Active, and Orlando Pita Haircare.  In the process, she built HATCHBEAUTY from a startup to a recognized global leader in beauty and wellness brands. Her awards and honors include 2019 Fashion and Beauty Award for Beauty Service Provider of the Year, EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, and election to The Committee of 200, an organization of the most successful women business leaders globally.

Scott Carson | Founder and CEO of Powered by MRP

From dreams of becoming a rockstar to being voted one of the Top CEOs from Comparatively & Best Places to Work for Women, Ellis Singer McCue, CEO of Territory Foods, joins us for Season 2 Episode 3 of Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller.  Join us as Ellis shares her mission to make the world a better place through healthier food, deep-diving into consumer and brand relationships, and crafting a personal relationship with the brand you lead and work in. About Ellis Singer McCue Ellis is a passionate executive and inspiring leader with a strong strategic, product, and growth skillset, a background in finance, supply chain, and technology, and 10+ years of experience developing end-to-end growth strategies that evolve global businesses and drive innovation for CPG, food, high tech, and retail companies. She is dedicated to building best-in-class leadership structures, performance measures, and organizations to drive disruptive growth. Territory Foods is a venture-backed, innovation-focused, food technology company bringing chef-prepared, healthy meals to intentional eaters across the USA. Recently, Ellis has been featured as a top 25 Consumer Health Tech Executive (2021 & 2022) for her foundational work in the Food as Medicine space, and top 15 CEOs of start-ups and small/midsize businesses, with Territory being featured as one of the top places for women to work in the US. Before joining Territory Foods, Ellis led successful, forward-looking business strategies for major global companies such as Deloitte, Gap Inc., and ZX Ventures(AbInBev).

In the Season 2 opener of Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller, Ishveen Jolly, CEO and Founder of OpenSponsorship, discusses how she took her love for sports and boosted an analog industry to the digital age by creating a model to accelerate the non-top 5% sponsorship market.  Ishveen walks through lessons she's learned as a leader, OpenSponsorship's "secret sauce" in creating the data-driven and intentional platform, what she's found is the major difference between a successful and unsuccessful company, and the categories that are experiencing the greatest opportunities within this digital sponsorship model. The Story of Ishveen and OpenSponsorship: My love for playing sports started as a child from playing catch with my father in our backyard, which led me to captain the Keble College, Netball, and Cricket teams at Oxford University. It also gave me the courage to leave my career in management consultancy in London and move to New Delhi, India to become a sports agent. Working with premier leagues, teams, clubs, and athletes – brokering sponsorship deals gave me an insider perspective on how fragmented and unanalytical the sports sponsorship industry is. Realizing the industry lacked transparency, information, access, tracking, and tech innovation meant there was a huge untapped potential in the annual $60 Billion sports sponsorship market.  Why wasn’t there an Airbnb for sponsorship? Well, now there is, OpenSponsorship.com.  Today OpenSponsorship is the largest and smartest marketplace connecting brands and smart marketers to over 5,700 professional athletes. We are democratizing sponsorship by making it accessible, efficient, and data-driven. Using analytical insights, AI-based matching, and proprietary ROI information tracking we are leveraging technology and data to create meaningful partnerships and revolutionizing the way you search, secure, and track sports sponsorship. The network effort - with 3,500 deals completed through the platform, covering over 160 sports, in 120 countries – the marketplace only gets smarter. We plan on applying the analytics and learning beyond athletes to teams, leagues, events, and other entertainment verticals.  Bringing sponsorship into the digital age! About Beyond the Bottom Line: In the Beyond the Bottom Line podcast series, Bert E. Miller connects with leaders across categories to discuss their proudest achievements, greatest challenges, and where they focus their energy each day. Tune in for countless valuable lessons that can be applied to today’s World of Work.

Throughout his tenure at Mast-Jägermeister US, one thing remained consistent: The authentic joy Jeff brought to his team and the brand every single day.  Jeff Popkin, Former CEO of Mast-Jägermeister US joins Beyond the Bottom Line with Bert Miller in Episode 2 of Season 2 to walk through the marriage of Jägermeister and Redbull, finding brands you love, and the keys to successfully growing a consumer brand.  Prior to joining Mast-Jägermeister U.S. in 2015, Jeff served as President of Vita Coco, CEO of Red Bull Distribution, along with many senior leadership positions with top beer and beverage brands such as Molson Coors Beverage Company.

Find out what it takes to win high-stakes negotiations and uncover tactics to help you get more of what you want in business and your career. In hostage situations, successful negotiations often mean the difference between life and death. Similarly, in business and in our careers, thoughtful discussions can make or break favorable outcomes. When the stakes are high or emotions boil over, it can be difficult to know what to say, or how to bring others together with you down a shared path. Chris Voss knows how to diffuse high-pressure situations, and come out ahead. After growing up in the Midwest, Chris became a Kansas City police officer and went on to join the FBI as a lead crisis negotiator. His best-selling book, Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, is largely considered the industry handbook for successful business negotiations. Today, as Founder and CEO of The Black Swan Group Ltd., Chris helps others to master the art of negotiation. Chris joins Bert to discuss what makes someone a great negotiator, and how human beings are all driven by the same decision-making systems. Discover the one tactic that anyone can leverage to gain an advantage, and how to rally others to your side. Chris talks about what goes into getting a little better each day, and how leaders can inspire their teams and others to realize mutual gains.

Sean Koffel returns to Beyond the Bottom Line to talk about building brands for tomorrow's buyer. He predicts the demise of craft culture ("I think it's sort of lost the plot"), and contrasts the "cool factor" of generations past with Gen Z’s desire for great products that tell the truth.. Sean credits this shift to Gen Z being raised with social media. He describes how the cohort isn't using their Instagram or TikTok channels to perfectly curated version of themselves — and they expect the same of today's brands. In tandem, they're really the first generation to connect their external appearance with what they put in their bodies. They're curious about what's in their food, their alcohol, their makeup in a way that past generations weren't. They're looking for transparency at every level. Add in the fact that people of all ages have spent the last year thinking about what it is they really want — from products, from brands, and from their lives in general. Sean warns against trying to force a pre-COVID brand strategy into a post-COVID world.  In the second of a two-part series, Sean and Bert dissect what this means for consumer-facing brands, what unique opportunities the pandemic has presented, and how Watchfire is helping emerging brands from "zero to one". 

In the first of a two-part series, Sean talks about the business lessons learned from his time with the Marine Corps, and how new consumer behaviors resulting from the pandemic will shape our economy for generations to come.  A mainstay in the adult beverage industry, Sean first met Bert while he and his business partner were launching American Born Moonshine in Nashville a decade ago. The duo have since turned their success into launching a Venture Capital Firm call Watchfire Ventures that invests in early stage consumer product and consumer technology businesses. Sean shares his perspectives on the bifurcated consumer segments that are developing before our eyes: those more hesitant and risk-averse who will place increasing trust on word-of-mouth and micro influencers, and those craving consumerism, travel, and in-person brand exposure at a scale never before seen. His prediction? A whole new type of "cool" factor as people look to reconnect and share new meaningful experiences with friends.  Tune in to hear all of Sean's predictions and advice on designing true omni-channel businesses and strategies that are built to last.