It probably is coincidental but I've grown a beard at the same time as Slav. There's definitely power in the beard. We started the great run, post Christmas, at the same time as the facial growth started to appear!
Mrs Craving hates it but I've told her that I can't shave it off until we get promoted.
A-la Tom Huddlestone. Of course, if we don't get promoted this year (perish the thought), you could be tripping over the thing by this time next year - unless trimming is allowed - or are you going the full hipster?