High Achiever: Santa Claus

A hefty belly and a big white beard are not on many employers' wishlists, but Santa Claus has made these apparent obstacles work in his favour.
"Having been elderly from an early age, I found it difficult to get an entry level job when I was starting out. Then I became Father Christmas and the rest is history!"
But, despite his jolly demeanour, it hasn't been an easy road to success for Santa. "My big belly is fine and dandy when I'm sitting around shopping malls or checking lists, but it is a major obstacle to entering people's homes without their knowing."
A growing awareness of climate change and the resulting clean air bills and anti-chimney bylaws also hinder him on his busiest day of the year. "In the past, my biggest worry was whether I would fit down the last chimney of the night after 24 hours of milk, whisky and biscuit consumption. Now I'm lucky if there is a chimney. People are no longer burning environmentally harmful solid fuels and are investing in HRVs and heat pumps."
He says this makes for better flying conditions and his beard is whiter than it used to be, but he is having to look for alternative modes of entry. The increasing popularity of burglar alarms also creates new challenges.
But delivery is only a small part of his role. Most of his year is spent managing a manufacturing operation, specialising in toys and other gifts, and he spends a lot of time making and checking his list.
"That's something you have to get right and I tend to check it twice."
All of this produces the goods for his annual distribution drive on December 24. "It is a high-pressure period in our working year, but we decided not to outsource as we wanted to retain control throughout the supply chain, right up to frontline service. We have a brand image to maintain and if we have to play time zones to achieve our export outcomes, we will."
Of course Santa does not do it all on his own. He employs a staff of elves and reindeer on a combination of permanent and seasonal contracts. "Actually, our operation is not as seasonal as you would think - the elves work all year around to make the toys and their job is over by the time the Christmas statutory holidays arrive. The reindeer union isn't strong so we have few issues there."
Because it is such a specialised industry and elves have trouble finding paid work elsewhere, there is always a latent workforce waiting to be tapped into. But Santa says elf numbers are dwindling as kids become more interested in computer games and television and turn away from story books and imagination.
"We need to encourage more young people to think outside the box and believe in the possibility of sprite-based life forms to ensure a sustainable workforce, going forward."
Toys are constantly developing, creating a continuous skills shortage. "We don't tend to use the word shortage - the elves are a bit sensitive about their height - but we constantly have to upskill. Continued professional development is a key element of our mission statement and KPIs."
Santa says he relies heavily on in-house training due to the specialist nature of skills required, but indicated he was in negotiation with a local polytechnic to create a toymaking centre of excellence in time for the 2012 enrolment tranche.
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- Are leaders in their industry or the local business community
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Contact business editor Julie Taylor on (07) 348 6199 ext 57015 or at business@dailypost.co.nz.