We took the day off on the 20th of January to witness the Inauguration. We were thrilled to hear the commitment from the new administration to focus on truth and common causes. We were especially relieved to hear that the distribution of the vaccines is on the top of the huge pile of work to be done!
Top Priority
In term of business, defeating the virus is the most important challenge that we as a nation must overcome to get businesses back up and running again. It is clearly the top priority for our economy, as well as our health.
Our Experience
As product producers, we know the many obstacles to getting our product on the shelves of every store in every state. Even with a professional distribution system, the task is fraught with unforeseen challenges. There’s timing, weather, storage space, paperwork, and human error issues that can result in the product never getting to its end users.
Vigilance
Decisions are made daily to circumvent these challenges – decisions made by professional distribution managers who have years of experience. Now imagine what would happen if the producers simply dumped their products in a warehouse and told the states to handle the rest.
The Hardest Part
In distribution, it’s the last few hundred miles where most of the problems occur. The shipments get smaller, the destinations multiply, and every handler must perform effectively until the product gets to your store in your neighborhood. It is now clear that distribution is where the breakdown has occurred under the past administration’s attempt to supply us with the vaccine.
Production Alone Fails
Without a doubt, the last administration botched the job. They somehow thought if the vaccine were produced and shipped to the states, that their job was over. Did they imagine that somehow (magically) it would get into peoples’ arms with an already assembled army of vaccine administrators all lined up in predetermined vaccine centers that everybody knew about? This distribution plan not only didn’t exist, but the administration refused to take responsibility for vaccinating the nation (i.e., getting it into your arm!). They fumbled the ball in the last 20 yards!
Competency Returns
This inauguration has renewed our faith for a competent vaccine distribution system to be established. The federal government will be committed to working with the states to ensure distribution – all the way into your arm! What a relief to most Americans and all American businesses!
Common Cause
America is united in winning the battle against this virus. We all know that the only way to defeat the virus and get our businesses (and our jobs) back is through national (and ultimately world-wide) vaccination. This is now the #1 priority of the entire country. Let’s all work together to get this formidable job done! So, roll up your sleeves and get to work so we all can roll up our sleeves and get the vaccine.
Who We Are
Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.
Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.
They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.
Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.
To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.
