Belief is destiny….. Christmas cheer sets up the year…
Belief is core to everything we do…
Jollity
Be there… Deliver on time every time!
Magic Sparkle
Be elsewhere… Presents without presence… Perform with flair… The chimney, hearth, bedroom is our stage… Be a flare… Bring brightness to the darkest souls...
Energy
Always care… Naughty*or nice…. Bring a spare… Breakages don’t break our magic! *soon to be renamed
The odd white lie
Feasts
Our business model creates energy for the year to come…
Our culture cultivates belief across cultures…
Belief is changing….. Christmas is changing… ….we must act now to create Christmas future Leadership capability at the pole is our number one belief enabler and our number one risk Emerging technology must be embraced and integrated – tradition and innovation working hand in hand Brand value and celebrity status is the order of the day – we must manage our brand and make the most of our celebrities Litigation now extends to the pole and we need to act with integrity and protect our elves/reindeer/mythical creatures at every turn Children have high expectations – films help and hinder - ‘The Polar Express’ and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ mean we need to up our game
Dear Santa, Define ‘Good’
Enabling our global supply chain Using emerging technology to accelerate performance and enable delivery to a growing (and very mobile – with a tendency to go away for Christmas) population Christmas process re-engineering to ensure seamless delivery – on time every time Exploration of teleportation
Performance metrics for the new generation Culture of ‘no surprises’ Mobilisation of the ‘soot sandwich’ feedback approach for those on the ‘naughty’ list Working party to establish politically correct replacement for ‘naughty’ *
Elf ‘n’ safety
Franchise framework for freedom Crisis response team to be established for early teleportation experimentation (clear up and clear out) Protocols for sack packing and stacking Shiny object training programme rollout
Re-energise the franchise framework and establish clear lines of command and control Encourage ‘tired’ franchise Santas to transfer to other duties to protect the brand Manage pirate pop-ups with robust enforcement activities through the Secret Santa network *soon to be renamed
We align our priorities to the changing needs of our smallest clients…
Embrace our positive deviants….. To create a magical, festive future we need to identify those in our midst who demonstrate the leading edge in terms of technology, processes, capabilities and behaviours the differences that could make the difference and amplify their effect Magical and positive Positive deviant
Potentially disruptive
Not
Already disruptive
To be tested
Our frameworks and assessments must be able to differentiate between ‘magical and positive’ and those who are ‘not’; whose special talents don’t fit with our culture and may become disruptive…
Belief is core to everything we do….. Nowhere is it more important to be believe-able…
Believe-able leaders are the key to Christmas future…
Leadership capability
Open to feedback and welcomes a soot sandwich. Self-aware – knows when their sparkle is sparse.
Learning agility
Learning Agility
Connected
Connected
Informed Informed
Insightful Insightful
Focused
Informed
Aware of changes in the economic and socio-political environment that may have an impact on operations and Christmas spirit. Keeps up to date with emerging technology and investigates its benefits and risks.
BelieveAble Valuable
Knows who’s who in the pole and is able to make the unbelieve-able happen as if by magic. Spends time on deepening mission critical relationships with the likes of NASA and Air Traffic Control.
Insightful
Innovates and creates novel solutions to age-old problems. Considers issues such as ‘sack space optimisation’ and ‘elf reward’ as fresh challenges each time they arise. Adopts a ‘pole first’ approach to problem solving.
Focused
Does the right things and delivers on time even in the most challenging meteorological circumstances. Prioritises Christmas over everything else.
Valuable
Commits to Christmas and drives belief at every opportunity. Takes time to understand competitor festivals and works collaboratively to share and receive best practice ideas.
Believe-able Belief is core to everything they do! Acts with integrity and transparency – except for the odd white lie – in pursuit of the perfect Christmas.
We believe that reindeers are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way... Show them all the magic they possess inside Do
Guides the sleigh in all weathers and is ever-ready for the ‘Eve Team’ Cuts through fog and low cloud to bring the ‘best reindeer’ to the ‘Eve Team’ without fail every time Connects with witches, warlocks, vampires, ghosts and other flying magical creatures, to extend range of flying skills Finds and clings to a ‘reason to fly’ when the going gets tough – always steps up to the Launchpad Knows where they kick off best on the Launchpad and how to engage launch control to best effect for the team
Dazzle dimension The power of bright red to cut through fog and lead the way
Be
Inspires belief in other reindeer; leads the ‘Eve Team’ with flare! Delivers fast and safe – avoiding air traffic hotspots, storms and meteors Conjures up the most powerful emotions to light the way for others and lead with care Optimises every reindeer’s abilities and configures the team for every eventuality – even fog! Makes a broader contribution to the pole
Spatial dimension The sparkles, energy and resilience to take off and hold height and speed
Emotional dimension
Believe-able Discover
The awareness and adaptability to Connect regardless of naughty* or nice
Develop
Relishes flying with the ‘B Team. And tests ‘fog readiness’ skills at every opportunity PLAYS WITH THE OTHER REINDEER ALL DAY EVERY DAY
Magical dimension The purpose and vision to make dreams come true
*soon to be renamed
Tirelessly focuses on uncovering their sparkle; polishes it and aims to dazzle Understands the link between overplayed sparkles and crashing Learns their emotional triggers and how to use dance, song & play to manage them Finds their ‘true north’ and aligns with a ‘pole first’ approach Engages in speed, acceleration and aerodynamic tests to ascertain their best sleigh position
Discover | Develop | Do | Believe A leadership journey…
Discover
Develop
UNCOVERING THE SPARKLE Learning through observation of reindeers at play.
POLISHING THE SPARKLES Fully integrated play with other reindeers.
Do
Believe
TRUSTED TO DELIVER Leadership of playtime activities with other reindeer.
MAGIC IN MOTION Makes a positive difference past, present & future - contributes to our ‘Spreading of Magic’ programme but not at the expense of playing with the other reindeer all day every day!
Our CSR Stategy - Spreading the magic..... Our spreading the magic programme creates better lives and tougher sprouts…
Retired reindeer benevolent fund
Retired reindeer are seldom celebrated and decorated as they should be for their achievements – we make sure they are – and we insist that they enjoy it!
Different lives for desperate donkeys
Modern interpretations of the nativity have left many donkeys on the dole – we give them something to live for!
Spreading the muck campaign
Our flight teams produce vast amounts of excrement which (due to new pre-flight procedures) is predominantly collected at the pole. Our spreading the muck campaign ensures targeted ‘natural wastage’ elimination in flight.
Making a positive difference to Christmas past present and future…
Elves in waiting….. (enabling our global supply chain)
Naughty*and nice list team Ability to analyse large volumes of complex data and make decisions using subjective and emotional data sources. Not scared to add soot to the sack.
Reindeer training & support team Naughty* & Nice list team Testing Team
Ability to muck in and muck out. Confidence working with celebrities and divas and to get out of the way fast. Refined polishing skills for ‘Eve Team’ hooves and noses.
Reindeer training & support team
Toy workshop team Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines. Creative, good with the hands and quality conscious. Engineer durable toys that encourage learning and are light for the sleigh.
Packing & wrapping team Sleigh and Santa support team
Elf ‘n’ safety team
Packing and wrapping team
Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines. Creative and image conscious. Spatial awareness, space optimisation and ribbon tying prowess are critical capabilities.
Elf ‘n’ safety team Toy workshop team
*soon to be renamed
Able to spot hazards & risks before they are hazards & risks and indeed may not become hazards & risks. Have a passion for process and procedure and get excited by ‘stop’ signs and hardhats.
Testing team Natural risk takers who put the continuing success of Christmas ahead of personal (and at times team) safety. Willing to sacrifice body parts in the pursuit of advancement. Excited to be the first to try teleportation, nuclear powered sleighs etc.
Sleigh & Santa support team Exceptional organisational and time management skills. Calm and nimble in a crisis – the embodiment of ‘be elsewhere’. Able to command the attention of distracted reindeer and skilled at sobering up Santa throughout the ‘Eve’.
Lots of career paths are open to elves…
Assessments need to differentiate between key skills to best deploy elf resources…
Securing Christmas future….. (enabling our global supply chain) Critical role
Current role holder Performance level
Emergency Elf Cover
‘Eve team’ sleigh lead Dasher
High performer in clear weather. Fastest reindeer in the pole
‘Eve team’ front row Dancer nearside
Needs loud Christmas music to perform at his best which can be off-putting for other reindeer
Not suitable. Transferable skills in short supply
‘Eve team’ 2nd row lead Prancer
Adequate performer but prancing on the spot is becoming more prevalent with age
Not suitable. Transferable skills in short supply
‘Eve team’ 2nd row Vixen nearside
High performer; uses cunning to outmanoeuvre children and immature adults who try to catch Santa in the act
Not suitable. Transferable skills in short supply
‘Eve team’ 3rd row Comet lead
Tendency to orbit objects when distracted can lead to inconsistent performance and a lack of alignment with other reindeer
Not suitable. Transferable skills in short supply
‘Eve team’ 3rd row Cupid nearside
Known to be distracted by attractive female reindeer. Not problematic when flying but landings can be adversely affected
Not suitable. Transferable skills in short supply
‘Eve team’ 4th row Donner lead
Physical form needs to be improved. Tendency to stop off for take-away food on training runs has become a destructive habit
Possibly –elf with speed and strength enhancements may lighten the load
‘Eve team’ 4th row Blitzen nearside
Well liked reindeer who does a great Not suitable job of fostering team spirit. Transferable skills in His bomber bottom is well renowned, short supply. contributes to CSR, and is a source of great amusement to the team when flying under pressure
‘Eve team’ reserve and Rudolph fog contingency
High performer in adverse weather conditions. Poster boy for resilience and ‘the boy done good’. A great example of adaptive evolution but he can be rather sensitive about it. ‘Bring a spare’ in action
Not suitable. Transferable skills in short supply
Possible use of high luminosity device in foggy weather could be provided by an elf in an emergency
Securing Christmas future….. (enabling our global supply chain) There are 12 critical roles typically held by elves… Currently incumbent due to retire through ill-health New procedures now in operation to prevent recurrence
Chief soot distributor
Having to explore options outside of the elf community due to lack of natural sense of humour Disney and Pixar being explored for potential headhunting opportunities
Reindeer warm-up
A popular role but with a limited supply of talented candidates. Requires diplomacy and engagement of other species
Air traffic controller
New role – critical to securing the future of Christmas Many applicants who all think they can design a better process Role holders must be willing to lead the exploration of technology by example
Enabling our global supply chain lead
Major recruitment exercise underway due to recent reindeer excrement contamination accident
Teleport operator
Current role holder is on long-term sick leave due to repetitive strain injury Surprisingly difficult role to find candidates for as ‘bell polishing’ is far more popular
Hard hat polisher Current role-holder can be sidetracked and distracted by current elf ‘n’ safety campaigns and is likely to transfer to another role soon Ability to differentiate between truly hazardous materials and untidiness is a skill in short supply Apparent allergies to reindeer excrement seem to reduce the size of the available talent pool
Hazardous materials manager
No attrition risk as the current incumbent enjoys it too much
Elf ‘n’ safety lead
A popular role with multiple successors identified Finding fault and directing others is something that many elves aspire to
Lead quality auditor
Many potential successors with well developed spatial awareness and a keen interest in making the most of available space
Sack optimisation trainer New role critical to securing the future of Christmas Must be passionate about data, metrics and the soot sandwich
Dear Santa Define ‘Good’ project lead
New role – critical to securing the future of Christmas Top secret – all communication embargoed
Franchise framework for freedom lead
Securing Christmas future….. (enabling our global supply chain) Engaging elves … the hierarchy of needs
Bell
Better Bigger Brighter
Access to the naughty list*
You can ring my bell…. Ding dong.... And the bells are ringing out for Christmas Day Folklore tells us it’s the bell that matters…
Giving back….. making a positive difference past, present and future
Christmas ‘Spreading the Magic’ Memo to all Senior Managers Distribution list:
Magical Director Head of ribbon & wrapping procurement Elf Forum lead Reindeer Tantrum Control Squad Commander Reindeer Traffic Control Director Sack Optimisation Controller
As you are aware we support three major charities throughout the year and in return receive cheap labour, fewer health related lawsuits and fabulous sprouts! Over the festive period please ensure that your elves use any free time available to:
Sing and dance for the elderly reindeers whilst decorating their antlers, in support of the ‘Retired Reindeer Benevolent Fund’ Adopt a donkey – for the purposes of carrying presents etc. In support of the ‘Different Lives for Desperate Donkeys’ campaign Collect reindeer excrement for the ‘waste not want not’ collection every Friday in support of our ‘Spreading the Muck’ campaign
If your role involves managing, training, warming-up and generally mollycoddling reindeer please advise them that (ahem) all ‘natural wastage’ should be directed at Mr Wilson’s rose garden, Mrs Hazel’s courgette patch and the Kings Road allotments compost heap – we do not wish to see a repeat of last year’s backfiring at launch debacle. Please DO NOT under any circumstances allow the reindeer to engage with the elderly reindeer or donkeys – the excitement created by impromptu sleigh races resulted in an unexpected overload of unusable natural wastage last year….
Step into Christmas…. ….Knowing that its future is in good hands!
Merry Christmas! Wish it, say it, believe it….