You’ll have to buy the book in order to get all of Santa’s tips, but the first chapter hit me as being so appropriate this time of year.  Essentially it’s Santa’s tips on how to build a wonderful workshop.  Well, it got me thinking about the holiday season and the way every manager, no matter what they’ve done during the year, thinks about thanking his/her people for all the hard work.  It’s bonus time, holiday party time – a time to celebrate the end of another year.

Well, what if holiday time was really the beginning of the new year? What if, instead of this being the close of 2010 you really looked at it as the start of 2011?  What if this was the kick-off for developing better management skills? Where would start?

First, you know how to focus your camera, but do you focus on your staff.  Do they feel involved in your business? Do they feel trusted and empowered to help you build a reputation for quality, service, creativity and integrity in your community?  Are they challenged enough to enjoy working with you all year long, not just celebrating with you in December?

Second, and this is straight from Santa - “Make the mission the main thing.” What is the mission of your business? What is it you want to provide to your clients?  Does everybody know what the mission is?  What’s your mission statement? A year ago I posted Scott Bourne’s artist statement - what’s yours?

Photography, while there is a tangible finished product, is all about service. Your success is about exceeding customer expectations.  It’s about capturing and creating images that match each client’s mindset.  Every client is different and every client has to come first.  Does your mission reflect that dedication?

Santa’s last tip – let values be your guide.  What are the values important to your success?  If everything you’re doing is just to about money, you’ll eventually lose – especially in photography.  Photography is an art form and as such, everyone places a different value on the finished product.  It’s a great career choice and an incredible way to make a whole lot of money, but not until you’ve mastered the craft, developed your creativity gene, built countless relationships with potential clients and built a foundation of trust with the community.

 And from Santa himself…

You can’t possibly focus on your mission without also focusing on the folks that make your mission happen.

Happy Friday everybody – make it a great weekend, finish your shopping and then give yourself a big pat on the back – whether you like my idea of celebrating the ”start” of a new year or bringing 2010 to a close, sit back, relax and be proud of yourself – you’re part of an incredible industry!

“Here’s a nugget of leadership wisdom that I’ve picked up over the decades…You can’t possibly focus on your mission without focusing on the folks that make your mission happen.  The two go hand in hand…And besides, since you manage things and lead people common sense suggests that it’s people who are at the core of all leadership activities.”  (The Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus, WalkTheTalk.com, page 14)

I’ve written a lot about the importance of the people who support you, and on this lazy Sunday morning, I’m thinking about how bizarre the first quarter of the year is for so many photographers.  You go nuts in the last quarter of the year and then BOOM it’s January and things just get quiet.   You’re trying to think about what to do in the new year or maybe you’re just avoiding thinking about what you should have done better in 2009.

But it’s the same for just about everybody.  If you’re in retail, seasonality is over.  If you’re in manufacturing, you’re struggling to get ready for the following year.  If you’re a consumer, there’s an underlying tone of quiet panic as you think about getting your taxes ready and wonder what the new year will bring.   

For everybody it’s the perfect time to think about all the people who support you every day.  If you’re a photographer and lucky enough to have a staff, it’s a great time to think about ways you can help them grow. The more they understand the business the bigger asset they’ll become.  But, if you’re like most photographers without a formal staff, then it’s still the perfect time to recognize all those people in your life who help you do your job – from your lab, album or frame company to the UPS guy and to “Santa’s” biggest helpers, your family!

So, it’s not a new theme this morning.  Nothing earth-shaking or filled with wisdom – just plain old common sense – hug your family, your friends and what the hell, hug the UPS guy!  You’re only as good as the people who support you and believe in you.  Trust them, keep them involved and they’ll come through for you every time – just as good as Donner and Blitzen!