“I see that the supermarkets are already advertising Christmas hampers,” said the client casually. That statement, echoing from Reception, put the Elves at BattleAxe Towers onto high alert.
It happens every year at this time. The first mention of Christmas kicks off a series of choreographed events that culminate a little before midnight on 31 January the following year when the last of the tax returns has been submitted (for those who send their information in last minute!).
“Right, lets take a look at who hasn’t provided information yet; which accounts are outstanding and who the tardy ones were last year;…..oh, and include you-know-who on the first chase up list as he’s always late!” the BattleAxe announced as she flew down the stairs to meet the unsuspecting client.
“And bring me the latest holiday calendar and requests,” she added as the Chief Elf scurried off “we’re not running a low-cost airline and we can’t just cancel tax returns on a whim!”
“I’d never thought about holiday scheduling around Christmas before,” the client ruminated. “Well this is your first year with fulltime employees, so it’s no surprise” the BattleAxe said. “But Christmas is the busiest time for you and you’ve always ended up taking on casuals before.” “That’s true”, the client responded proudly, “but with the new team on-board I won’t need to do that again this year!”
“Are you sure about that? Have you thought about your growth and particularly the export work you’ve been doing? You’re up over 200% year to date and if that continues won’t it mean that you need to start earlier to deliver overseas on time but still have the same push to meet the later UK orders? Especially with Christmas falling on a Monday this year.”
“It's a MONDAY?” the client looked suddenly concerned, “but then we won’t be able to do our normal Christmas Eve deliveries as that would be Sunday…..how will we get everything out? And I’ll need to get in the raw materials a good three weeks earlier with all the deliveries we’re expecting to go out to Brussels….. Err, I had better get back and start working out how it’s all going to fit together!” he started to leave, looking shaken.
“Hold on a moment,” said the BattleAxe, firmly, “rather than running off in a panic, let’s take 5 minutes to get your priorities in order. Otherwise you will overlook things like vacations or ignore new regulations or forget that those special orders will be going to Strasbourg not Brussels!”
“But where do I start?......”
“You need to capture all the possible variables so that you can get a clear picture. Talking it through always helps. Once we’re there, we can look at how you physically make the deliveries. So, come on!” the client looked reassured as they headed towards the well-used whiteboard.
“By the way, there’s a long established outfit that only do Christmas Eve deliveries – run by some white-bearded chap…but I hear you have to book him early!”
Originally appeared in Huddersfield Examiner on 12th October 2017
