eTrouble at the North Pole..Elves Grumbling..Reindeer Picketing

TROUBLE AT THE NORTH POLE...ELVES GRUMBLING...REINDEER PICKETING...MRS. CLAUS REBELLING!

JoAnn R. Forrester

Empress of Biz

 

For the past few months we have been discussing the problems of growth and what can happen when a small business “hits it big”.

A good illustration of this is a small “Mom and Pop” toy manufacturer.  The owner, Mr. Kris Kringle,“a.k.a.” Santa Claus, shared his concerns about the business. Our business was established in 1620.  We have a net worth of 10 billion dollars and considerable real estate holdings. I am the 10^th generation of Kringles to head CHRISTMAS is US (CIS). As a family owned business we have been able to handle the demand for presents for children all over the world.

  We have developed an excellent manufacturing plant, great marketing system and efficient transportation system that delivers millions of presents on December 24.  Each year our customer base has grown and we have met the demand.  Unfortunately, the past few years has been very difficult on myself, Mrs. Claus, the elves, Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer,” shared Mr. Claus. 

“We have an overwhelming demand from the children for these new electronic toys and gadgets.  It has been almost impossible to keep up with all the updates and changes.  In the past, we only had to add a few new toys to our line each year--now its hundreds. 

 We have to modernize to meet the increased demand. Re-educate the elves on electronic devices, hire staff to deal with the demands of social media and develop a new interactive web site.  Our costs have skyrocketed and my banker, Mr. Scrooge, is dragging his feet about increasing my line of credit.  On top of everything, Mrs. Claus is upset because I told her the banker is demanding she has to computerize her bookkeeping and inventory.  I don’t know what I am going to do. The elves have always been a jolly lot.  Now they are grumbling all the time and demanding travel expenses and three months’ vacation.   Plus, the reindeer are asking for expense money for those additional trips to pick up material…and demanding I loose weight”. 

The following recommendations were given:

1.  Find a banker who has a different name than Scrooge.

2.  Hire an accountant to work with Mrs. Claus and give her two weeks in New York. 

3.     Establish a bonus system for the elves.

4.     Add more reindeer to the team to reduce the load.

5.     Bring on some younger elves to head the design team.

Happy New Year Folks..may it be a prosperous and productive year!

               

If you would like to learn more about growing your business listen learn and prosper  with the  Empressof Biz --Reinvent in Rugged Times on www.talkshoe.com Caller Id #80050  or we are syndicated on www. pplmag.com.  Or give JoAnn a call at 412-440-6969.