THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

As anyone who has watched this film knows, Jack has put a lot of effort and planning into the Christmasland operation. That said, his focus was not always in the right areas…

01

DON’T LET OVERCONFIDENCE OBSCURE RIGOUR

02

DON’T GET SHOT DOWN BY THE MILITARY

03

DO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER

04

DO MAKE SURE THE UNIFORM LOOKS SHARP

05

DO RECRUIT WELL (BE CAUTIOUS OF SUB-CONTRACTING)

#01 DON’T LET OVERCONFIDENCE OBSCURE RIGOUR

Getting Zero to do the Rudolph nose thing was a clever operational solution. BUT overconfidence has likely contributed to a shortcutting of key contingency planning/risk assessment. You know, in case anything goes wrong along the way…

#02 DON’T GET SHOT DOWN BY THE MILITARY

Clearly Jack did not get his airspace clearances. Santa, wise old hand that he is, would never commit this administrative oversight. As Jack found to his cost, not having them can really be an operational downer.

#03 DO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER

In his enthusiasm, Jack forgot who he was working for. There’s always an end customer. As such, giving them shrunken heads, loose snakes and child-eating dolls does run the risk of complaint.

#04 DO MAKE SURE THE UNIFORM LOOKS SHARP

As a size zero man, without a signature jelly belly, Jack could have (should have?) better tailored his Santa gear, and therefore created a better impression with colleagues and customers alike.

#05 DO RECRUIT WELL (BE CAUTIOUS OF SUB-CONTRACTING)

The bottom line is that Jack needed a better support team in place. As rule, never employ or delegate to naughty creepy kids who may outsource to the Oogie Boogie Man.