Pros
Bought a "significant" minority share in a Gin about 7 years too late after talking about it for so long, but at least sales expectations for us will be low.
Cons
Executive team is confusing. Strategy changes every year - one year premiumization, next year volume, next year focus and next year break out brands. Stressed the need to focus on our minority brands and get it right first before any acquisitions - ended up going ahead with another minority stake acquisition. Exec need to set a proper strategy and stick to it, although the newest strategy had some consistency as it was a repeat of previous strategy with a paid agency to attach it to a picture. Slow moving, but that's probably because of the business writing off half a billion pounds from the Brugal purchase - key management involved have been promoted since. Company has been too scared to make significant investment since, bought minority stakes everywhere and doesn't invest properly to make a difference in these brands. No diversity of thought, all decision making and entrepreneurship stifled as they try to centralize decision making. Ultimate decision makers are from the same industry for many many years so they need to employ consultants for everything because of this experience gap. Comp is average at best - more and more people leaving. Central reward team don't care, months after significant discussions on this, no response. Challenge was discussed at the leadership conference - it has been 3 months and still nothing has come out of this. A lot of talk but no action.
