BETTER Than the Original!

In celebration of the publication of my next book this week I thought I’d do something a little different this week on my craft cocktail. This picture was taken at the famous Raffles LONG BAR in Singapore. When I wast first at Raffles it was gritty and authentic. Today it looks more like the Walt Disney Imagineers have done renovations. Sadly, the volume of drinks sold has gone up massively with the renovations - and the ingredients are not purely fresh. Here’s my take on the original - and yes the brand names really matter.

I recently had the honor of being interviewed by the master of radio Dan O’Day. He’s famous in the world of radio for teaching thousands of radio hosts.   

He transformed my new book Driving Eureka! (out next Tuesday November 13) into the most insightful one hour interview I’ve ever done. In a conversational and comfortable style - he got to the heart of issues - asked smart follow ups - and made me think deeply.   

This past week I observed something I never thought was possible. A team from a multi-national corporation transformed from fear and pessimism to innovation and optimism in 4 days!

A Touch of Spice toKick Alive Your Taste Buds!

This week’s cocktail is inspired by Edward Lee, Chef/Owner of 610 Magnolia of Louisville and other restaurants. It transforms the Mint Julep into a more complex, more exciting taste sensation that is the perfect drink for setting up your taste buds for a great meal.

Ingredients for Jalapeño Syrup:

A Clean Yet Complex Taste for When it's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

This bourbon cocktail is a twist on the classic Manhattan normally made with Sweet Vermouth. This is a lighter, cleaner version using Limoncello. The best is my wife Debbie’s Limoncello she makes over the holidays - but we’re out for the season - so I went store bought.

To see where you buy Noble Oak CLICK HERE.

My 7th book, Driving Eureka!, will be published next month.  Sneak preview...

Innovation equals change. Change means uncertainty. Uncertainty means fear. The best way to prevent innovation or change is through the implementation of bureaucratic systems. Bureaucratic systems, such as excessive rules, regulations, or reporting, create barriers to change, and thesebarriers protect the status quo.

Bureaucracy multiplies when organizations grow to a size where loyalty to department is greater than loyalty to the organization. Tom Peters once said something along the lines of, “After you get to a dozen people, you have a hopeless bureaucracy.”

Recall, systems are defined as two or more independent parts working toward a common aim. In business and nonprofit organizations, this means divisions, departments, and/or teams focused on achieving the overall aim of the organization.

“Why would you waste your time commercializing a mediocre product?”   This was said to me by Phil White, co-founder of the performance bike company Cervelo.  He and his team made history making bikes that are faster than any others.

As we talked in Toronto, I agreed with him, “I won’t ship a whiskey if it doesn’t win by at least 60/40 in paired comparison testing versus a product costing 50 to 100% more than us.“  (Recall our Brain Brew Custom Whisk(e)y company is powered by and located at the Eureka! Ranch.)

Sadly - when I talk to corporate clients they don’t understand Phil and the Brain Brew Crew’s relentless pursuit of excellence. They usually will say something along the lines of “you craft guys can do that. In the corporate world that’s just not the way it is. we don’t have the MONEY to make our products great.