It is easy to sit and allow others to lead in diversity and integration, but as Tim Milford explains enthusiastically, we all have our role to play – especially men in wine and drink industries.
Before I started entering into ideas on this topic, I thought it was better to explain who I am and why I have some ability to speak on this topic.
First of all, I am not really a member of the wine trade. I am a wine lover and have spent the past ten years learning more about the wonderful wine world through my interactions on Twitter and Instagram and real life with many wonderful people working in wine trade who were very generous in sharing their knowledge and experience with me.
Tim Milford may not work in the wine industry, but his love for food, wine, eating and drinking shines through his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his website on his attractive site.
Yes, I play a role in trade: I have played WSET courses; Contribute to a wine blog (in addition to running its website on food, wine and music, Timmilford.com); Spend an unimportant amount of my money on wine; I have made some trips to wine factories and wine production areas over the past few years. Although, the fact that, from the outside, I was allowed to enter these circles as a constant source of wonder for me – and I am very grateful. This, for me, is one of the huge positives in developing social media over the past decade. However, I think we all realize that social media has its challenges as well.
In my daily job, I work in the railway industry – an industry that has important issues in moving the workforce and traditional males to become more comprehensive, where women (along with other groups, for example, for example, and LGBTQ+) are less likely to get leadership roles or tend to earn less money often (both directs and believers). It looks familiar?
When I became interested in ideas about diversity and integration and started talking to people from different backgrounds for me, I became increasingly familiar with the challenges that women (and others) faced in the workplace. Something I realized that I really did not test myself.
I know what I am …
You can read more Tim Milford on its website Timmilford.com.
For the modern network process, I am aware of my privilege. I am a straight, white, middle -class man. When I speak, people assumed that I came from Sari or Sussex, instead of Birmingham, because I went to a relatively luxurious school. When I speak, people are used to hearing people who look like me in power sites, so it is natural for people to be more pre -existed to listen to what I am saying.
Why did I tell you this? Well, I began to see how difficult people who did not look and seemed like me to hear themselves. How will the only woman in the meeting hall (sometimes regularly happen) work hard to take seriously. How LGBTQ+ was dealt with differently by some and significantly different by others. How they found those who have strong regional dialects or national dialects, which are not inappropriately difficult to attract attention.
Simply, I realized how lucky I was because of my privileges. Frankly, he talked about this awareness. One of the answers can be pushed: I can realize that this feature was allowing me to prosper and that its continued existence would benefit me, so I want to perpetuate it; Or, I can use my platform, as it was, to do what I can to make things more comprehensive and we hope to inspire others. I chose the latter.
A place for men?
At the same time, I also noticed that the groups in my company, which was present to enhance gender equality, was largely composed of women as they wanted to see change – completely understandable. What was noticeable was that there were no men present in these forums. How can we expect the minority change when the majority is not ready to play its role – especially if many of these issues stem from it? To do something on this topic, I created a male allies program inside my company, with the aim of involving more men in the talk about gender equality and encouraging them to take action.
I think the time has come equally for men in the wine industry to escalate to the painting. It is time to work.
Why do we need male allies?
The heavy trumpet player, Tim Milford, largely buys the idea that we are all part of the orchestra or the choir where our individual role is very important in the total effect that we can take
In the repercussions of the #Winebitch scandal, she went back and watched discussions that were revealed on social media. There was anger, there was frustration, there was fatigue from the people who faced these challenges for years, and there was a decision that the things needed to improve.
One of the questions that played a little is the role that men should play in moving things forward? Opinions ranged from those who were directly challenged from men to stand and do something; For the people who said that these issues came from men and that they were sick and tired of waiting for men to change their ways.
From the perspective of males, there were many men who stated either publicly or specially that they wanted to do something, but they were afraid to say the wrong thing or were seen as they were groaning if they tried to put a situation. They did not know what to do and left for forgetfulness, paralyzed because of the hesitation about how to contribute to making things better and fearful to say the wrong thing in this complex field.
It is known that many people who occupy leadership roles in the wine industry are men. Therefore, the balance of strength inside the industry is incapable for the benefit of men. If we want the industry to change, then you should play the leaders of their role. We cannot expect women to do all the work in creating a more comprehensive culture in this industry. In fact, given the unequal weighting of power within the industry, it may be said that men are linked to operation the biggest role in enhancing change.
I feel that in order for the wine community to move forward, it needs to do so with all the voices of society. Just like the choir (quick recognition: I owe here to Amber Leipo for this measurement), the wine community is able to express itself when all sounds are heard and they can complete each other. You need a bright and investigation tones, just as you need Alto and Soprano tones.
If we want to move forward, we need a diversity of sounds, and thus we need male sounds to show the change. That is why I feel that we need male allies in this industry – it relates to everyone who looks forward to being part of resolving the challenges facing the industry.
The potential role of male allies in the wine industry
So, how will men shape to play their role and become an ally? This is the difficult part. I can't give a reference menu for things that people can do in order to achieve this role – not the least of them because I do not have all the answers. It relates to everyone who looks at himself in the mirror and asks himself if they have done what they can to make the industry a better place. If they have used the platform they have to help those who do not have such a platform. Whether you use any effect / strength you have to help people, rather than pushing people down.
I would like to start by saying that if everyone takes some measures, it will be more effective than a few prominent people expecting to do something huge. This relates to the change of culture and this must happen at all levels.
Here are some guidelines and suggestions – I do not think it should be considered final:
1 Challenge the lack of diversity: If you are asked to talk to a committee, ask who is speaking. If you are uncomfortable for the lack of diversity, consult this point to the regulator. People used to say “I do not see the color” when trying to prove that they are not racists. Seeing it. Look at the forums in which you participate and participate in. Do everything you can do to encourage others in. Any conversation and interaction are enriched with a variety of views.
2 Inappropriate behavior: It is more important than ever that people call language and inappropriate behavior, dispute, and harmful. A real ally of the model this behavior in public and private places.
The drink community is the new support and guidance platform created by The Drinks Trust to help enhance more diversity and integration throughout the industry
3 Be a guide: Look at going out on your way to support and encourage the development of people who cannot reach the privilege from which you have benefited. Look at the reverse guidance – as you are directed by a person more than just a young of you, but it is likely to bring a different perspective. Many senior executives in senior companies now take a reverse landmark so that they can see their business challenges through different eyes. You may only get a different answer.
4 You acknowledge your biases: We all have biases, and biases that we realize – and those that we do not realize. Take these tests from Havard University and see what he tells you. Knowing your biases is the first step in doing something about it.
5 Listen more: Stephen Kofi (author of the book “The Seven Habits of Effective Persons”) said, “First search for understanding, before trying to understand it.” In addition, we are often reminded of any communication cycle that we have two ears and mouth and we should use this to direct our own approach to communication. Often, I see in Twitter (in particular) a group of people who communicate in one direction, head back and forward and frustrated because no one really listens. The method is not more suitable for dual -directional dialogue, but it can happen if people try. In the wake of the #WineBitch scandal, I personally tried to say a little, spend more time listening and reading what others say. How did they feel? What feelings did they suffer from? Where did they need help?
Conclusion – what next?
As I said above, I do not present the above as a final group of things that a person can do in order to win a “ally” badge and that this will solve all the problems in the wine trade in a magically. However, I think enthusiastically that if we all do more, the commitment to take some forms of positive action, then work together, we can reduce toxicity inside the wine trade and make it a more welcome and comprehensive place. This will be for all our benefits and it is essentially the right thing to do.
Will you become an ally? What are the obligations that you can make?
If you want to share your ideas and experiences in searching for diversity and integration in the beverage and hospitality sectors on the buyer, please call Richard Sding on Richardsddde@btopenworld.com.
