Change has always been difficult to cope with: many people and organizations regard it as a hurdle or obstacle that must be avoided. Others view it as a failure in the planning process, and fewer even -perhaps the wisest- embrace it as an unavoidable consequence of life/business.
Every day is a good day to evaluate if changes are needed in our routines or in our professional or spiritual outlooks, but early January seems to be a particularly powerful time of the year to do so.
Luis Ayala
Most of us have read the headlines or have experienced the news first-hand: businesses are shutting down, economic forecasts are being downgraded, people are losing their jobs and consumer trends are reflecting these uncertainties.
Many of our readers are distillery or brand owners, many more are employed at different levels by the distilled spirits industry, so I know that these words paint a very real picture for them.
Last month I wrote that the USA lost 25% of its craft distilleries between August 2024 and August 2025, and the industry reports pointed at a much darker figure by the end of 2025. Even giants, such as Jim Beam, are being affected by the adverse conditions, so how are the small players supposed to survive?
Philosopher and writer Alan Watts (1915-1973) famously wrote:
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
He also advocated that clinging to permanence is as futile as clinging to a single note of music in a song. But Simple Change and Transformative Change are very different in their impact and longevity. To design and implement true Transformative Change, you must have not only a concise blueprint/vision of the result, but also a clearly defined execution plan that is broken down into quantifiable, atomic, actionable items.
I invite you to set time aside for solitude contemplation of change, then to engage in collaborative brainstorming sessions with your friends or colleagues. As always, I’m available to discuss approaches or to lend a helping hand executing change strategies. Don’t underestimate your ability to change, once you fully commit to the plunge, like Alan Watts cleverly stated.
Cheers!
Luis Ayala, Editor and Publisher
http://www.linkedin.com/in/rumconsultant