In this article, we’ll start by discussing the key day-to-day operational tasks you must perform to run a successful brewery business. Then we will go through ways to make your business run more efficiently.
Day-to-Day Operational Tasks for a Brewery Business
No matter the type of brewery business you have, there are some basic operational tasks that you will need to complete on a regular basis. These tasks include:
- Production – This is the process of actually brewing the beer. You will need to have a space for brewing, as well as all of the necessary equipment. The size of your operation will dictate how much you can produce at one time.
- Quality Control – Once the beer is brewed, it must go through a quality control process. This includes making sure the beer is the correct color, has the right flavor, and has the proper carbonation level.
- Packaging – Once the beer passes quality control, it needs to be packaged. This can be done by hand or with automated machinery.
- Distribution – The beer must then be distributed to stores, restaurants, and bars. This can be done through a distribution company or by delivering the beer yourself.
- Marketing – You need to inform consumers about your beer and remind them of the events, special tastings and other special aspects of your beer. This can be done through social media, advertising, and events.
There are many other tasks that may need to be performed on a daily basis, depending on the size and type of brewery business you have. But, these are the most essential tasks that must be completed in order to keep your business running smoothly.
Receiving and Processing Payments
Another important aspect of running your business is getting paid on time and in full. There are a few different ways to receive and process payments, but the most common are invoicing and credit cards.
For a brewery business, invoicing is the most common method of payment. You will need to send an invoice to your customers for the beer they have purchased. This can be done electronically or through the mail. Make sure you include all of the relevant information on the invoice, such as the date of purchase, the quantity of beer purchased, and the total amount due. You will also need to include your contact information in case the customer has any questions.
Managing Customer Relationships
The key to any successful business is good customer relationships. Managing customer relationships is especially important as you want to make sure that they are happy and satisfied with your offerings. This will make them more likely to refer your company to others and to come back to you in the future. There are a few different ways to manage customer relationships, but the most common is to keep in touch with them regularly and send them updates via their preferred communication method.
Improve Your Brewery Company Inefficiencies
Use the following tips and strategies to make your brewery business more efficient:
- Automate your brewing process as much as possible. This will free up time so you can focus on other aspects of the business.
- Use a distribution company to handle your beer distribution. This will save time and money in the long run.
- Invest in quality control equipment. This will produce consistent quality beer.
- Use social media to market your beer. This is a free and easy way to reach a large audience.
- Keep your customers happy and satisfied. This will make them more likely to return in the future.
By following these tips, you can make your brewery business more efficient and improve your bottom line.
Systems & Processes
One of the best ways to make your brewery business more efficient is to develop and/or automate as many systems and processes as possible. By doing this, you can save time and money.
The following brewery business processes can be systematized:
- Brewing process
- Quality control process
- Packaging process
- Distribution process
- Marketing process
- Customer relationship management
- Receiving and processing payments
- Developing new products/services
- Evaluating customer feedback
- Managing inventory levels
Delegate & Outsource
Another way to make your brewery business more efficient is to delegate and/or outsource tasks.
There are a number of different tasks you can delegate or outsource, including:
- Administrative tasks
- Marketing and advertising
- Customer service
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Web development
By delegating and outsourcing these tasks, you will free up time to focus on driving sales, which is key to growing your brewery company.
You can find professionals to perform these tasks and more on websites like Upwork and Fiverr. Test workers on those sites with small projects before hiring them for bigger ones.
Time Management
When it comes to running a successful brewery business, one of the most important things is time management.
There are a number of different ways to manage your time effectively, including:
- Create task lists/to-do list
- Time blocking (blocking out time of your schedule to focus on critical tasks)
- Prioritization (prioritizing business building projects over day-to-day operational tasks)
In order to be successful, you need to learn how to balance the important tasks with the less important ones. You also need to learn how to say no to certain tasks in order to focus on the ones that are most important.
The key to time management in the brewery business is to be organized and focused. By using the techniques mentioned above, you can effectively manage your time and grow your business.
Tools, Technology & Resources
There are a number of different tools, technologies, and resources that can help brewery businesses improve their efficiencies, including:
- Marketing automation tools (email marketing, etc.)
- Accounting software/automated billing and invoicing
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
Consider using these tools if they can help your business. Also, creating custom software could possibly allow you to perform even better and give you competitive advantage. If a customized piece of software could benefit your brewery business, consult with an IT professional or software developer.
Set & Track Goals
One of the best ways to make your brewery business more successful is to set and track goals. Without business goals, it’s difficult to measure your progress or know what you need to do to improve your business.
There are a number of different ways to set and track goals, including:
- SMART goals (SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)
- Progress tracking charts (creating graphs that show your progress made towards specific goals)
- Creating a business plan
By using one or more of these methods, you can set and track realistic goals for your business. This will help you stay on track and achieve your desired results.
Networking
In order to maximize your success, consider networking with other professionals both inside and outside the brewery business. By doing this, you can learn from their experiences, get advice, and make connections that can help your business.
There are a number of different ways to network with other professionals, including:
- Attending industry events
- Networking events
- Online networking
- Professional associations
- Trade shows
Pricing Your Offerings
One of the most important things to consider when pricing your brewery offerings is how much you need to charge in order to make a profit. You also need to consider how much your competitors are charging for similar offerings.
Another thing to consider when pricing your services is how much value your offerings provide. By understanding the value of your offerings, you can justify charging more for them.
Finally, you need to find the right balance between price and demand. If you charge too much, you may lose potential customers. However, if you charge too little, you may not be able to cover the costs of running your business.
Targeting the Right Customers
In order to be successful in the brewery business, you need to target the right customers. By targeting the right customers, you can increase your chances of making a sale and ideally serve customers who value your offerings more and/or are easier to serve.
There are a number of different ways to target the right customers, including:
- Segmenting your market
- Understanding your ideal customer
- Developing a positioning statement
- Creating a buyer persona
Summary
Running a brewery can be a very profitable business, but you can make it even more so by effectively managing your time and growing your brewery.
With the right tools, processes, resources, and incoming clients, you can successfully run a brewery business. By following the tips in this article, you can set your business up for success.