Internal = External | James Watt | TEDxGlasgow
James Watt
Culture-Driven Entrepreneur, Visionary Leader of Disruptive Marketing, Best-Selling Author, & Co-Founder of BrewDog
- Transformed BrewDog from startup to global beer brand using groundbreaking strategies
- Revolutionized business with "Equity for Punks" business model, building a loyal community of 42,000+ investors
- Spearheaded bold marketing strategies that created a fiercely loyal, globally engaged customer base
- Overcame challenges with resilience, driving record growth and sustaining market leadership
- Authored "Business for Punks," a best-seller on disruptive strategies, influencing global business practices
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James Watt is the visionary co-founder of BrewDog, a global craft beer powerhouse he transformed from a modest startup into a multi-billion-dollar brand. Known for his disruptive marketing strategies and innovative crowdfunding model, James redefined how businesses engage with their communities, leading BrewDog to become Scotland’s largest independent brewery and the 14th most valuable beer brand worldwide. The company now operates in 65 countries, employs nearly 4,000 people, and produces over 1 million cans of beer daily.
Before founding BrewDog, James spent seven years as a captain of a North Atlantic trawler, an experience that shaped his resilience and bold leadership style. His journey from the high seas to the helm of a global brand is chronicled in his best-selling book, Business for Punks, translated into over 30 languages. Beyond his entrepreneurial successes, James is a sought-after investor, TED speaker, and advisor, recognised as the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year and honored with an MBE for his contributions to entrepreneurship.
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James Watt l A different kind of business
Harnessing Disruptive Innovation: The Blueprint for Revolutionary Success. James Watt takes audiences on an inspiring journey through BrewDog’s remarkable rise from a modest startup to a global craft beer leader. He uncovers the disruptive strategies that challenged industry norms and reshaped success, highlighting the revolutionary "Equity for Punks" crowdfunding initiative. This session delves into how bold thinking, strategic risk-taking, and turning customers into investors fueled BrewDog’s rapid growth and built a passionate community. James shares actionable insights and strategies for businesses to leverage strategies that drive innovation and growth, raise capital, and build a brand that resonates worldwide.
Purpose-Driven Branding: Aligning Mission and Culture for Lasting Success. James Watt delves into the powerful synergy between a company’s mission and its internal culture, drawing from BrewDog’s rise to global prominence. He explores how BrewDog’s unwavering commitment to its purpose has been the foundation for its success, driving both customer engagement and brand loyalty. By demonstrating the critical link between an authentic internal culture and external brand perception, James offers actionable insights for leaders on how to embed purpose into every facet of their business, creating a unified, passionate team that resonates with customers and sets the brand apart in a crowded market.
Leading with Resilience: Turning Challenges into Catalysts for Growth. James Watt inspires business leaders with a powerful session on navigating challenges and transforming adversity into opportunity. Drawing from his experience leading BrewDog through controversies and media scrutiny, James offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the company not only weathered storms but emerged stronger and more innovative. He shares uplifting strategies for maintaining resilience, fostering a culture of adaptability, and using external pressures as catalysts for growth and brand strengthening. This session empowers leaders to see challenges as opportunities to innovate, evolve, and drive their businesses to new heights.