Aspire CoffeeWorks’ Post

As I reflect on our first townhall of the 2025 fiscal year, one theme that resonated deeply with me: the importance of staying connected. This year, as part of Diageo South, West, and Central Africa’s new culture code, we have embraced the power of connection - not just in our work but in how we lead, collaborate, and grow together. Staying connected isn’t just about meetings and check ins ; it’s about fostering genuine relationships with our teams, understanding their challenges, and celebrating their successes. It’s about being present, approachable, and actively engaged with the incredible individuals who drive our business forward. In a year where we’ve set ambitious targets, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers, but it’s our people who are at the heart of our success. Connection is also about integrity, ethics and compassion. We have committed ourselves to delivering outstanding results, but how we achieve them matters just as much. We must hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards, treating each other with respect and care every step of the way. In that townhall, I saw our team’s passion and dedication. I felt the shared commitment to our collective goals and was reminded that our greatest strength lies in unity. We are in this together, and by staying connected, we create a culture where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to give their best. As we forge ahead, let us remember that staying connected isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a continuous commitment. Let’s listen more, support each other, and celebrate every milestone along the way. Together, with integrity and compassion, we will achieve great things. Let’s continue to dare for more, because when we are connected, there’s nothing we cannot achieve. #BoldProgressiveConnected #DareforMore #DiageoSWC

🥞🎉 Happy National Pancake Day! 🎉🥞 In honor of National Pancake Day (who knew?), we had to come up with a way to connect pancakes to culture... Just like pancakes, company culture is all about the right ingredients! To whip up a strong culture, you need: A Solid Base: Start with clear values—like flour, they provide the foundation for everything else. A Dash of Flavor: Add in some fun - happy hours, service projects, celebrations. Team building is always a great part of a strong culture. A Generous Pour of Communication: Keep the conversation flowing to ensure everyone’s on the same page, just like syrup on a stack of pancakes! The Right Heat: Foster an environment of trust and support to help your culture rise and thrive. Toppings of Recognition: Celebrate achievements and contributions, because who doesn’t love a little extra sweetness? So, let’s stack up those ingredients and build a workplace culture that everyone can savor! What’s your secret ingredient for a great company culture?

I love this team. Last Thursday, our team took a bold step towards becoming world-class. We blocked off our calendars and invested in our relationships with each other, making team dynamics our top priority. Over the next six months, we will be working regularly with an expert in industrial organization to help us achieve our goal. Some may call it a futile effort, but I see it as an opportunity to be part of something truly great. I couldn’t have been more thrilled by the engagement of the team during the sessions. As a fiercely competitive person, I refuse to settle for mediocrity. I want us to be the best at our craft, to be an organization that people recognize for our excellence. That's why I'm willing to take this risk and invest both time and money in our success. Ultimately, I care. And it starts with the people I work with. After our first morning doing different experiential team building exercises, we spent the afternoon at TopGolf to have lunch and reflect on the day. I think the team also enjoyed watching me whiff many swings. When the waiters brought out a plate with "CRDN Team Building Day" written on it in caramel and chocolate, my first thought was to lick it. (Saner minds prevailed...) And then I asked the waitresses, "do you do this for all events?" They laughed and quipped, "only for the people we like!" What an incredible team. We are just getting started. Consider joining us if you want to be a part of something great. #teamwork #industrialorganizationalpsychology #excellence #success

Let's celebrate National High Five Day! Here are the Top 5 reasons I'm excited to join in the festivities today, and why you should too! 🖐️ Use the comments to send a virtual high five to someone you want to recognize! 🎉 🌟 Instant recognition: Recognition shouldn't be confined to major milestones or achievements; it's equally important to celebrate excellence in everyday tasks and contributions. Whether it's going the extra mile to support a colleague, consistently delivering high-quality work, or embodying the values and ethos of the organization, every effort deserves acknowledgment. High fives provide immediate acknowledgment and validation for a job well done and can be used to celebrate even small wins. 🖐️ 💬Embrace connection: In today's fast-paced and increasingly remote world, meaningful connections are more important than ever. High fives can serve as a physical expression of connection and solidarity, reminding us of the importance of human interaction and support. Virtual high fives using emojis, gifs, or video calls can also evoke the same positive emotion and sense of camaraderie.  🌐🤝 🏆An athlete mindset: Many historians trace the origins of the high five to professional sports, where it evolved from the low five hand gesture popularized in Black communities as a symbol of celebration and camaraderie.  High performance work teams (both on and off the field/court) rely on teamwork, resilience, goal setting, continuous improvement, leadership, adaptability, and yes…collective celebration and recognition! 🏀🏅 🚀Powerful motivator: When employees feel seen and appreciated for their contributions, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work. Acknowledging their efforts not only boosts morale but also encourages them to continue performing at their best.  🌟 🎉Culture of positivity: By consistently recognizing and celebrating achievements, teams can cultivate a culture of positivity, gratitude, and teamwork. When employees see their colleagues being appreciated and rewarded for their hard work, it creates a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute their best. A positive work culture not only enhances employee satisfaction but also attracts top talent and strengthens the organization's reputation. 👏🌟 Who do you want to recognize on National High Five Day?

#howdrunkisok #internalevents Alcohol is a part of our celebration culture. But how drunk is ok at a professional internal event? 🧐 Many of the companies I work with want to lower the level of intoxication but are afraid the event won’t feel as generous anymore, if it’s not enough wine to the food, the refill, and that pre drink, and that… But many companies are issue free, having done great internal work shifting the expectations of what makes an AMAZING event. ⭐️ Investing more in MOOD BOOSTERS that gives other emotional highs than drinks. I still see drunk managers on stage from time to time. I honestly can’t see how that is representing any brand at its best. But hey. Maybe I’m too PoliticallyCorrect and the internal event should be a place to let loose. What’s you opinion? and how does the alcohol flow at your company? #lifeofaproducer #eventadvicory #questionnorms #brandexperience #internalevents #employerbrand #hr #strategiccommunication #livingthebrand #liberatedfromalcohol #moderator #host #mentalworkout #publicspeaker

Our industry moves quickly. People are doing amazing things, and the pace of change can be hard to keep up with. That’s why it’s crucial to recognise and celebrate achievements. For the last eight years, we’ve carved out a little time to celebrate with Friday shoutouts. As we’ve grown to over ten European offices, we’ve evolved from in-person shoutouts to using Slack. Anybody in the business can recognise, celebrate and reward their colleagues with a takeaway on Kin + Carta. 🙌 This can be based on the project they’re working on or on how they’ve contributed to making this a great workplace. Everyone wants to be on a winning team, and creating a ritual to showcase the pace of achievements and the people behind them is 100% worthwhile.

National Coffee Day is a day dedicated to honoring one of the world's most beloved beverages, coffee. Celebrated annually on September 29th, it's a day to indulge in your favorite coffee drink and appreciate the rich history and cultural impact of this popular beverage. Recognizing diverse and fun holidays like National Coffee Day is important as it creates opportunities for connection and employee engagement. It allows employees to share their love for coffee, learn about different coffee cultures, and bond over shared experiences, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie in the workplace. To celebrate National Coffee Day at work, consider: Hosting a coffee tasting event with different blends from around the world. Organizing a barista workshop to learn how to make the perfect cup. Encouraging employees to share their favorite coffee recipes or coffee shops.

With excitement and pride we announce the bronze sponsor of the "D&I Changemakers 2024" conference: the HEINEKEN Global Shared Services company!🎉🎉🎉 We are over the moon that Heineken is hosting the "D&I Changemakers 2024" conference! This is our second adventure together, so we know it's going to be amazing!🚀🚀🚀 HEINEKEN Global Shared Services, you are the best HOST in the world!!! They are the undisputed leader among companies actively supporting DEI's ideas. See what they say about their actions: ⭐ How do you #EmPower DEI? At HEINEKEN, we actively foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through a variety of comprehensive initiatives designed to create an open, supportive, and inclusive culture. 🟢One of our key efforts is DEI Month, during which we explore key aspects of DEI through engaging activities such as Unconscious Bias training, an inclusive breakfast with a workshop on inclusive practices, and the "ABC of Discrimination" workshop in partnership with the Stonewall Group. 🟢We also host a panel discussion on DEI from both global and local perspectives, encouraging open conversations about the challenges and opportunities within our diverse environment. 🟢Our "Library of Our Stories" initiative is another way we empower DEI by providing a platform for employees to share personal stories in a safe and supportive space. These stories range from experiences with male depression and living with anxiety to navigating PTSD, miscarriages, extreme stress as a firefighter, and participation in LGBT+ sports clubs. This initiative fosters understanding and empathy within our teams. 🟢Additionally, we conduct listening and dialogue sessions to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to voice their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions on DEI-related topics. These ongoing efforts, among many others, contribute to a culture of openness, respect, and empowerment across our organisation. ⭐ What is the DEI SUPERPOWER of your organization? What really sets us apart is the transformation we have achieved within our culture. We have created an environment where individuals feel safe to share their most personal stories and experiences, breaking taboos and building a deeper sense of trust and togetherness. This openness, where people can talk about issues such as mental health, identity, and personal struggles without fear of judgment, is a powerful testament to the inclusive and supportive culture we have cultivated. It is this comfort and psychological safety that we believe is the most impactful aspect of our DEI journey and what makes us unique in the way we approach diversity, equity, and inclusion. HEINEKEN Global Shared Services, it is a great honor to have you on board again! Your support is invaluable!💗 Register for free here: https://lnkd.in/dE7NkTc7 #heinekenkrakow #heineken #empoweredDEI #DIChangemakers2024 #diversityhub #diversitymatters #ESG #ERGAwards2024 #DEI #DEIasAhabitClass

“Why are you not having fun? I specifically requested it!” Everyone knows that the best fun is mandated fun, which is why I’m chuffed to have been appointed Yolk Brands’ (and probably the world's) first Ultimate Fun Officer. It officially makes me the most senior clown in F&B. Sorry, Ronald, it’s just not your year. While it is, of course, all about fun, the UFO position has been created to help us have serious public discussion about company culture. And everyone knows there’s no one better than me for having serious discussions. So why UFO? Because I’m out of this world. (Gosh that’s going to be a killer line on Bumble, BRB.) No, first and foremost we want to make Yolk Brands a fun place to work - if you know me you’ll know I’m pretty laid back and don’t things too seriously. I see no reason that can’t combine with offering amazing, high-quality work, whether you’re in an office or a restaurant. So we hope to make fun a defining part of the Yolk Brands’ culture. But it’s only one of four pillars we’ve introduced this year. I am available for press interviews to talk about all of them, but I’m really more the fun guy - I even come with my own red squeezy nose. (P.S. Did you know the court jester position was one of the most privileged in court in the Middle Ages? Or is this just something every clown tells themself...)

Earlier this week, together with a few of Talent Acquisition team members Rachna R. and Mitchell Arts from The HEINEKEN Company we participated in the Global People #DiversityDinner. Under the inspiring motto of 'Food Brings People Together,' Global People organised the largest diversity dinner in the Netherlands, bringing together around 30 employers and 350 diverse young professionals through objective recruitment by The Selection Lab —no old-fashioned CVs, just intelligent, scientifically substantiated, talent-driven matching. You might wonder, how does this work? The Diversity Dinner is all about "sitting down at the table" with top multicultural talents. The concept is simple: each company hosts eight candidates who meet their organization’s requirements. In our case, we looked for individuals embodying our HEINEKEN Behaviours outlined below: 1️⃣ Play to win and celebrate success 2️⃣ Deliver the goods 3️⃣ Think consumers first 4️⃣ Make courageous moves 5️⃣ Champion a culture of belonging 6️⃣ Learn, share, and reapply 7️⃣ Have real conversations 8️⃣ Embrace learning and growth Throughout the evening, we engaged with these talented individuals, sharing our personal experiences at The HEINEKEN Company and discussing what we seek in future team members. We also offered tips on interview preparation and how to articulate the unique value they can bring to an organisation. I am incredibly proud to work for a company that is committed to becoming an inclusive, fair, and equitable organisation. At The HEINEKEN Company, we believe that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion sparks joy and fosters a sense of true togetherness. 🌍💚 Looking forward converting a few of these talents into The HEINEKEN Company and teams. #DiversityDinner #Inclusion #Diversity #TheHEINEKENCompany #Togetherness #TalentAcquisition