Irma Goyal Shrivastava

“The real work of strategic partnerships begins after the press release—true collaboration is in the execution.” This is just one of the gems shared during a roundtable discussion at Metropolitan Partners Group's recent Executive Circle breakfast in Atlanta. Topics included strategic partnerships, funding, and capital-efficient growth. Other insights from the strategic partnerships discussion: 💡Strategic partnerships are more than technical integrations or referral programs. They require a deep understanding of your partner’s goals and KPIs. 💡Consistently educate your team on the value of the partnership. This keeps everyone aligned and prevents breakdowns later on. 💡No partnership is 50/50. If you’re not ready to carry the administrative load, it’s better to pass. What are your non-negotiables before entering a partnership? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Yesterday TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy while Chili's is thriving, and the difference comes down to three things: #value, #innovation, and a little creative spark. Chili’s cracked the code on the value equation, offering menu items that are more than just affordable—they’re designed to deliver on taste and quality in a way that keeps customers coming back for more. But it’s not just about pricing; Chili’s hasn’t shied away from innovating. Look at their fresh approach to menu items like the upgraded Fajita lineup and new items aimed at bold flavor trends. While other chains hold onto what once worked, Chili’s is making moves that resonate with today’s tastes. Then, there’s the genius of partnering with Mischief @ No Fixed Address , which is bringing an edge that’s hard to ignore. It’s a partnership that injects Chili’s with cultural relevance, connecting with guests beyond the food on their plates. From playful social campaigns to spot-on brand personality, they’ve managed to make a chain restaurant feel unexpectedly…cool. At a time when others are falling behind, Chili’s is proving that to succeed in casual dining today, you’ve got to innovate, engage, and most of all, understand the value customers are really looking for." #retail #leadership #food #hospitality

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Have you heard about PepsiCo program to help black owned restaurant concepts launch and thrive? “Our mission is to give Black-owned restaurants the resources they need to build and grow. We provide support to overcome foundational challenges, resources for digital optimization and programs to raise the visibility of Black-owned restaurants.”

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📉 Understanding Supply and Demand Amid 2024 Inflationary Pressures As inflation continues to impact the economy, consumer behavior is shifting dramatically. We’re seeing a noticeable pullback from purchasing luxury items, including wine and spirits. This trend aligns perfectly with the fundamental principles of supply and demand: when prices rise, demand often falls, especially for non-essential goods. Our SipSource data foresaw this trend back in January, providing early insights into the performance of the spirits and wine categories. For our subscribers, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Staying informed with SipSource helps you navigate these market dynamics with confidence. 📊✨ #SupplyAndDemand #Inflation2024 #WineAndSpirits #MarketTrends #SipSourceInsights https://lnkd.in/eYrzbkyD

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"GOES BEYOND THE ORDINARY" I saw this review from the Crispy Cones - Orlando location and loved how this phrase captures exactly what we are striving to do at Crispy Cones – We are going beyond the ordinary in the ice cream industry with our unique dough cones and our gourmet soft serve ice cream! #GoogleReviews #DessertIndustry #CustomerFeedback

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Value is the driving force behind consumer purchases, as noted by Leslie Sarasin, FMI president and CEO, at the 27th annual Global Conference by the Milken Institute. Sarasin noted, "The consumer is at the center of everything that happens at food retail. This industry has always been and will always be concerned about what customers want and need and what they are trying to achieve for themselves and their families. What we have seen is that the customer's perception of value for many years was about price, convenience, and taste. That has been turned upside down now. Value takes into account so many other issues than the three original ones we focused on for many years." Want more insights from industry insiders? Check out The Future of Food Retail session recording 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wJAVP #FutureofFood #FMIResearch #AI #Omnichannel #ValueMatrix #MIGlobal #grocerytrends

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The Coca-Cola Company is a proud host and organizer of the annual Engaging Business Forum since its inception 16 years ago. Join us at our Atlanta HQ on October 15-16 where leaders from across the stakeholder spectrum will discuss today’s pressing business and human rights challenges and opportunities. Together, we can drive meaningful impact. This year’s agenda will cover EU regulatory expectations for companies, climate and human rights, the human rights of logistics, circularity and human rights, and upstream and downstream human rights due diligence. The Forum will be under the Chatham House Rule. Register 👇 https://lnkd.in/deRg9zVM Speaker program https://lnkd.in/dujBSNcH Sponsors: International Organisation of Employers (IOE) United States Council for International Business (USCIB) U.S. Chamber of Commerce    Host & Organizer: The Coca-Cola Company #EngagingBusinessForum #EBF #ResponsibleBusiness #HumanRights #DueDiligence #Sustainability #CocaColaRealIMPACT

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How are consumers feeling about the economy today?   My hot off-the-press data from last week shows April's consumer sentiment inching more positive. We’ll take any good news we can get!    23% of people report spending as usual, while 31% report having stopped spending. The gap between the two groups has narrowed from 11 pts last month to 8 pts in April. Higher positivity leads to more spending. As we move through Spring and into Summer, we'll be monitoring. Stay tuned, more insights and implications to come. Thanks Victor Fernandez Mary Hamill GuestXM - Now Powered by Black Box Intelligence™ for sharing my data in your Q2 State of the Industry Webinar!
#economy #spending #journeybacktojoy

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Americans' perception of retail private label products stays positive, as indicated by the "2024 Power of Private Brands" report from FMI- The Food Industry Association. Survey respondents highlighted keywords like "good," "great," "quality," "better," "brand," and "value" to describe their view on private label products currently available in the market. According to the report, 55% of the people interviewed in the United States have increased their purchases of private label products in the past year, surpassing the 28% who opted for more national brand products. Thank you Store Brands Link in the comments to access the report. #futureoffood #futureofretail

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📉The U.S. wine and spirits market is facing challenges as sales fell by 6.0% in the 12 months leading up to August 2024, according to Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s SipSource data. The decline is notable in both on- and off-premise channels, with premium products hit hardest. Mid-range tiers also experienced pressure. Analysts expect the upcoming holiday season to present further difficulties, with reduced product assortments across retailers. 📊 Read more in The Spirits Business https://lnkd.in/eRgTeb_d #data #trends #wine #spirits #BusinessNews

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Could Your Brand Benefit from a Strategic Collaboration? Are you maximizing your brand's potential through innovative partnerships? Brand collaborations are more than just joint ventures; they are powerful tools for expanding market presence and captivating diverse audiences. Why Brand Collaborations Work Brand collaborations are increasingly popular as companies seek novel ways to connect with consumers. They offer a mutually beneficial partnership where both parties gain exposure to new audiences while strengthening relationships with existing customers. Examples of Successful Brand Collaborations Uber x Spotify: By integrating Spotify into Uber rides, customers can enjoy personalized music streaming, enhancing their ride experience and increasing exposure for both brands. Marvel x Pandora: This collaboration produced a jewelry collection featuring iconic Marvel superheroes, appealing to fans of both brands and generating significant demand. Lego x Stranger Things: Lego's collaboration with the hit series resulted in a detailed Lego set recreating scenes from Stranger Things, catering to fans of the show and Lego enthusiasts alike. IKEA x Asus: The IKEA and Asus collaboration introduced gaming furniture designed for functionality and style, merging Ikea's practicality with Asus ROG's gaming expertise. GoPro x Red Bull: Both brands, synonymous with extreme sports and adventure, teamed up to produce thrilling content that showcases GoPro's cameras capturing Red Bull athletes' daring feats. BMW x Louis Vuitton: This luxury collaboration created bespoke luggage sets tailored for BMW's i8, merging high-performance automotive design with Louis Vuitton's craftsmanship. Nike x Hello Kitty: This collaboration blended Nike's athletic apparel with Hello Kitty's playful charm, appealing to a diverse audience of sports enthusiasts and Hello Kitty fans. Semrush x Surfer: These digital marketing tools collaborated to enhance clients' link-building strategies, leveraging their respective expertise to provide comprehensive solutions. Starbucks x Samsung: This partnership extended Starbucks' brand into Samsung accessories, creating stylish, coffee-themed products like phone cases and Galaxy Buds covers. Oreo x Supreme: This unexpected collaboration produced limited-edition Supreme-branded Oreo cookies, combining Supreme's streetwear aesthetic with Oreo's iconic snack appeal. Conclusion Brand collaborations offer a powerful strategy for expanding reach, driving innovation, and creating memorable customer experiences. By partnering strategically, brands can unlock new opportunities for growth and engagement in an increasingly competitive marketplace. #Marketing #Branding #Collabs #Leadership #Strategy #Opentowork #Advertising #Socialmedia

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✨Nostalgia in marketing isn’t about a lack of creativity; it’s about tapping into deep consumer drivers that new ideas alone can't reach. 🌟 During times of uncertainty and distrust, nostalgia takes center stage, offering comfort and familiarity. Don’t confuse nostalgia with comfort food. Nostalgia is tied to a time and place in history. That’s why we see Newstalgia emerging—blending the new and innovative with the trusted and beloved. 🕰️✨ Follow me for more insights. #CulinaryTides #MarketingTrends #ConsumerBehavior #NostalgiaMarketing Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e9WDgmzd

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One of the many insights you'll find in the Bacardi 2025 Cocktail Trends Report is which are the top #sustainability priorities for consumers. This plus top #cocktails, flavors and so much more as we prep for the new year.

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Thank you to the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit for inviting me to moderate the keynote panel at #MarComSummitDC this week, and to my fellow panelists for the insightful and thought-provoking discussion. There were many insights shared by this group of experts, who represent a wide variety of industries and business models. A few key takeaways: Per Onney Crawley, brands must move at the speed of culture to stay current, which means having your digital and CX capabilities in order. Per Jenifer Kern, intellectual curiosity and speed are fundamental characteristics of a successful CMO and, per Brian C Reed, consumers expect greater control and clarity in their online privacy relationships with brands. We also talked about digital transformation, Experience Engagement and evolving consumer expectations. So much to talk about with these CMO leaders!

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Restaurant growth can be challenging now, but I know: we always find a way. It’s an interesting paradox right now, to cross a trillion dollars as an industry… …and yet, with demand latent, deal with: a lack of lending, little to no affordable real estate, and high construction costs. Listen to this great chat I had with Michael Halen about just what is going on now in the industry, and how brands can respond. I love restaurants, our resilience and our resourcefulness. Even when we’re surviving, we’re still thriving. 📈 onward and upward! #restaurants #restaurantindustry #investing #growth #expansion #scale #product

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