Publisher’s Toast: Thoughts From Walks

As we have passed the threshold of Labor Day, I thought it would be a good time to look back over the last six months, a time unlike anything we have lived through before. About a month ago, encouraged by the fact that pretty much no one else was heading back in, I felt comfortable enough to start walking back downtown to my office.

The four-mile walk, through Central Park, then down Fifth or Sixth Avenues, has given me plenty of time to look back over the state of our world, personally and professionally. The round trip has also resulted in keeping me fit and losing weight, not bad outcomes. Here are some observations.

It’s very bizarre to see these usually packed avenues of Manhattan, the epicenter of commerce, so empty. I heard on the news this morning that only about one in ten office workers has returned. If this is a reflection of business today, it’s not surprising that so many companies, beverages among them, are struggling to keep themselves afloat. If the money people aren’t confident, or even present, then it doesn’t bode well.

Yet, there are positive financial signs. I’ve seen many brands raising money and garnering celebrity investors during the pandemic. It seems very arbitrary at times: So many brands are very good, have terrific packaging and strong marketing initiatives but can’t see the light of day. I truly feel for them. It bothers me that I can’t give them a reasonable answer as to why they cannot get the investment when they pour out their heart. Kudos to the ones forging ahead.

Most brands are over the shock of the shutdown and are finally restarting their marketing programs, new SKUs, and pushes toward expansion. The end of fall is the height of the sell-in season, and they realize that they must go forward. That’s the best sign of all.

You can do just so much ecommerce to bring in enough revenue to keep going; I think it’s been a great Band-Aid, but it is not a sustainable business model.

It’s nice to be able to see beverage friends again. I’ve been meeting people in the city parks and for outdoor meals. It actually feels normal. They are able to conduct business with their present and potential clients again. Travel seems to be picking up; a good thing, since I still think that face to face meetings are key to success.

I’m impressed that most businesses are doing the right things for their employees, enabling them to make life decisions as to what works best for them. Working at home isn’t the greatest, but it sure is the safest. We’ll all look back at the time spent with one’s children as a blessing in disguise.

Let’s all head into the new business year with renewed excitement and energy.