Traditions, Timbits, and Tinsel

[00:00:13] I didn't know how long that jingle was going to last.

[00:00:17] That was a good one.

[00:00:18] Happy Christmas.

[00:00:19] Happy Christmas.

[00:00:20] Yes.

[00:00:22] Happy Christmas.

[00:00:23] Merry Christmas.

[00:00:24] Are we talking over each other now?

[00:00:26] There you go.

[00:00:27] Good to see you.

[00:00:30] How's your holiday so far?

[00:00:32] So far, very good.

[00:00:34] I have the pleasure of celebrating European Christmas on the 24th.

[00:00:41] So we did that yesterday, which was fun.

[00:00:43] And for many years, that's been Swedish or German Christmas.

[00:00:48] And this year, it was a Polish Christmas.

[00:00:50] So it's been quite fun.

[00:00:51] Yeah.

[00:00:52] So it's going around all of the traditions.

[00:00:53] The interesting thing is there, of course, that they don't actually eat meat.

[00:00:58] So there was no meat on the 24th.

[00:01:00] It's only fish.

[00:01:01] It's a pescatarian diet because they're very religious.

[00:01:03] And yeah.

[00:01:05] So fish, no meat on the 24th.

[00:01:08] So I'm making up for it today.

[00:01:10] If you see me sweating, you know why.

[00:01:13] Get it in.

[00:01:14] Get it in.

[00:01:14] I love it.

[00:01:15] Well, don't be confused, listeners, by our intro and casual presentation today.

[00:01:21] This is the T&T Bits podcast.

[00:01:23] We normally talk about global perspectives on business development to help you prosper.

[00:01:29] And let's see if we can't sort of pull in a little bit of the Christmas theme into our

[00:01:35] normal podcast conversation.

[00:01:37] We've been talking all month about process, process, depending on which country you live in.

[00:01:45] But we thought we'd just do a little bit more reflection today.

[00:01:49] We're going to get into a new theme in January.

[00:01:54] Andy, got any stories in your mind to share with us today?

[00:02:01] I was worried that you would ask.

[00:02:03] But I have no business-related stories.

[00:02:05] I was trying to think of one that was Christmas relevant.

[00:02:09] But I think what we can do is use this episode to focus a little bit more on that crossover

[00:02:16] between traditions at home, traditions in different countries, and how those cultural challenges

[00:02:23] sometimes can spill over into business as well so that we keep it slightly on topic.

[00:02:28] I like it.

[00:02:29] I like it.

[00:02:32] What kinds of traditions do you think that you've sort of worked into your business life?

[00:02:40] Oh, that's a good one.

[00:02:42] I think, you know, when we talk about traditions, it can often be confused with routines.

[00:02:48] And, you know, in a way, Christmas is an annual routine.

[00:02:53] You know, everyone gets together and do certain things on those days.

[00:02:58] But I think, you know, talking back to what we were looking at earlier in the year is culture as well.

[00:03:05] So, I mean, different cultures have different traditions and different traditions will materialize in the business setting

[00:03:12] as well as they materialize in, you know, in home life as well.

[00:03:16] And I think for me personally, the traditions have been more about trying to

[00:03:25] embrace as many of those traditions that I've experienced from the, you know, from my personal experiences

[00:03:30] and try and bring those into the business life.

[00:03:33] And, you know, give that little bit of fun, that little bit of, you know, distraction,

[00:03:38] a little bit of something a little bit different.

[00:03:41] It is a bit of a tightrope you have to walk, though.

[00:03:44] It is.

[00:03:44] I completely agree.

[00:03:46] And I actually kind of appreciate that about the business environment.

[00:03:50] Like, you don't really get to pick that environment, like, as much as you do your friends.

[00:03:54] And that tends to be a bit more of an echo chamber when you're at work,

[00:03:58] when you're interacting with your clients, your partners, your colleagues.

[00:04:04] You kind of do have to sort of, well, I guess you don't have to open your posture.

[00:04:08] Some people close right off and say, well, this is business.

[00:04:10] And you do you and I'll do me and this is business.

[00:04:13] But on the flip side, I kind of think that if you are,

[00:04:17] and especially from a business development perspective,

[00:04:20] I think if you have more of an open posture and curiosity about those other cultures,

[00:04:27] traditions, routines, that you're going to learn more.

[00:04:33] You're going to be more successful.

[00:04:35] You're going to find more prosperity.

[00:04:38] I think it's good.

[00:04:40] I don't think you're completely wrong.

[00:04:42] No, yeah.

[00:04:43] Stop.

[00:04:43] No, that's pretty good.

[00:04:46] No, there's one Christmas tradition that I don't know if all our listeners know about.

[00:04:51] I think we spoke about it maybe last year as well.

[00:04:54] But it's one that still surprises me every year when I'm reminded of it.

[00:04:58] And it's business related.

[00:05:01] So, you know, when you want to push your product and promote your product, a clever way of doing that is somehow tying it to the traditions or a particular season or something like that.

[00:05:16] One of the biggest ones that has had an effect on an entire nation as a result of their very clever strategic marketing campaigns is Japan.

[00:05:26] Okay.

[00:05:27] So, Kentucky Fried Chicken is the go-to Christmas meal in Japan.

[00:05:33] Come on.

[00:05:33] Because of clever marketing in the 70s.

[00:05:37] And it is the thing to do.

[00:05:38] So, you have Kentucky Fried Chicken at Christmas in Japan.

[00:05:41] If there's any Japanese listeners, I need to backtrack that one.

[00:05:45] Well, they have to pre-order them like months in advance.

[00:05:47] Honestly.

[00:05:48] It's amazing.

[00:05:51] That's pretty interesting.

[00:05:52] I mean, I guess like the whole, you know, then there's all this commercialization and Santa Claus is an invention of Coca-Cola or something like that.

[00:06:01] Oh, speaking of Coca-Cola, that reminds me of another one that was quite clever with marketing.

[00:06:05] So, in Sweden, I can't remember which brewery it was, but they launched a version of Cola.

[00:06:12] And it was a massive flop and nobody liked it because it tasted weird.

[00:06:15] Right?

[00:06:16] Okay.

[00:06:16] And so, it wasn't very popular.

[00:06:18] So, their marketing team had an idea that what we could do is we can rebrand it.

[00:06:24] And they called it basically Christmas Cola.

[00:06:28] Okay.

[00:06:28] So, it's only available at Christmas time.

[00:06:30] And now everyone drinks this Christmas Cola.

[00:06:33] But then they thought, hang on, that's very restrictive for us.

[00:06:35] So, what we'll do is we'll take it off the shelves in January and then we'll relabel it, just exactly the same drink,

[00:06:42] but we'll relabel it as Easter Cola for the Easter period.

[00:06:47] And they now sell it only twice a year.

[00:06:49] This horrible Cola that, you know, now people obviously like because they've got familiar with it

[00:06:54] and it's become a bit of a tradition for that time of year.

[00:06:56] But stuff that was actually rejected by the public when it was released originally.

[00:07:00] Is it a soft drink or is it...

[00:07:02] It's a soft drink, yeah.

[00:07:04] You're going to have to send me some.

[00:07:06] I'm going to have to try it.

[00:07:08] I'll make sure I do that.

[00:07:11] Well, I do think, you know, traditions are...

[00:07:17] It can be a very effective sort of corporate tool.

[00:07:22] And it gives a little bit more character to your organization that helps endear you more to your staff and your clients and whatnot.

[00:07:34] And they don't need to be expressed at Christmas time and the holiday time.

[00:07:40] But, you know, as we started the conversation here, that's sort of where my head went.

[00:07:47] It's like, you know, we've never really thought about what is sort of the unique routine that we could put a little bit more formality and purpose behind.

[00:08:00] Because perhaps it's happened just inconsequentially, naturally, organically.

[00:08:08] But has in fact become a bit of a tradition.

[00:08:12] And then people kind of come to expect it.

[00:08:15] And it helps you feel a little bit more familiar with the environment and the routine and the rest of sort of your business environment.

[00:08:27] You know, it's got me thinking a lot about, just at the moment, about sort of some of those regular seasonal parties, gathering.

[00:08:39] Yeah, yeah.

[00:08:41] Whatnot.

[00:08:41] So those are traditions in a way, aren't they?

[00:08:43] Because, you know, people do those, you know, you don't have a Christmas party, you know, in June.

[00:08:49] Right.

[00:08:50] You have the corporate parties typically at the seasonal times or things like that.

[00:08:56] Please continue.

[00:08:57] Sorry for that.

[00:08:59] I realized you were in the middle of a flow there.

[00:09:03] Well, it's good.

[00:09:04] You're just validating what I was saying.

[00:09:06] But then what got me thinking is, is a lot of times we don't have.

[00:09:10] Okay.

[00:09:10] So story time here.

[00:09:12] So my wife was entertaining some clients and, you know, quite a few different sort of events as the season, as is the tradition of the season here.

[00:09:32] Mm-hmm.

[00:09:33] Mm-hmm.

[00:09:52] And that's just a little thing that is now a personal tradition.

[00:09:58] And it's business related.

[00:10:00] And, you know, her business enables her to do that.

[00:10:06] And expenses are allowed.

[00:10:07] And relationships are important.

[00:10:10] And yet it's not like just an all company thing.

[00:10:14] So, you know, not everybody has that flexibility.

[00:10:18] But I don't think it needs to be because you have an expense account.

[00:10:21] I think you can do little moments of recognition or inclusion or curiosity.

[00:10:29] And you can practice that if you're a leader with your team, if you're an individual contributor with your clients, with your prospects, or otherwise, you know, with your colleagues.

[00:10:38] What is it that kind of people get to know you for?

[00:10:43] And, you know, that's something sincere, not just a gimmick and whatnot.

[00:10:47] But I think that that's, you know, worth reflecting on and thinking about at this time of year.

[00:10:53] Yeah.

[00:10:54] Very much so.

[00:10:54] And I think doing that unique thing is really special as well.

[00:10:59] Tailoring it to each individual client, each, you know, individual relationship in a way.

[00:11:04] And not just, I don't know, doing a blanket thing of an impersonal giveaway with your company logo on it or something.

[00:11:14] You know, it's incredibly self-indulgent.

[00:11:16] I think people are happier to receive nothing than to receive, you know, a little bit of promotional material.

[00:11:21] Yeah.

[00:11:21] Yeah.

[00:11:22] Yeah.

[00:11:22] On the flip side of that, like, I do know that some, you kind of have to be listening at the same time.

[00:11:30] Like, we have clients who embrace this time of year.

[00:11:35] And their token of appreciation will show up regularly at this time of year.

[00:11:42] And for those clients, they get into the spirit and they like it.

[00:11:47] And it's part of their tradition.

[00:11:48] And I think when you don't reciprocate, like, and more than just kind of a, oh, I got your thing.

[00:11:54] Thanks again.

[00:11:54] It's great working with you.

[00:11:55] But like, you know, how, how make a note.

[00:11:58] What, what can we make sure that, you know?

[00:12:01] And, and, and meanwhile, I do know that there are others who do fall into the category of like, boy, like, you know, can't wait to, you know, get out of the corporate space right now.

[00:12:13] Because that's because work is over there and, and I'm going to do my traditions at home.

[00:12:16] So I think it's, it's also about sort of listening and being a little bit more attentive and intentional about, you know, everybody's own, as we said, like cultures and traditions.

[00:12:28] Yeah, that's right.

[00:12:29] And I think the, you know, as, as we say with, when you're making a proposal to a customer, you know, you can have a sort of standard, but it's very important to personalize as well.

[00:12:38] And this time of year, especially.

[00:12:40] Yeah.

[00:12:40] I think people really value that.

[00:12:42] Are there any other sort of annual company traditions that, that maybe you have?

[00:12:47] I mean, other than a Christmas party or maybe a holiday bonus or something, is there anything that you do at your company?

[00:12:52] Well, we, we actually, our big celebration is on the anniversary of the company.

[00:12:59] And we've, we've done that forever because we have a very diverse staff and they all have their own cultural celebrations and, and, you know, moments throughout the year.

[00:13:13] And our corporate anniversary is in the middle of March.

[00:13:18] And there's like nothing, you know, there that, that conflicts with anybody else's.

[00:13:24] I'm sure somebody can come up with something, but.

[00:13:26] So, so we always get to that date in March and then go, oh, we need to have our, our, our company party or dinner or whatever.

[00:13:36] And then it's usually about September by the time we get it all organized.

[00:13:42] So there's no real consistency to when it falls.

[00:13:47] And then as the, as the team gets bigger, we try very hard to find a date that works for everybody.

[00:13:53] And we, we want everybody's partners and, and spouses and, and whatnot to, to join us as well.

[00:14:00] And then it just gets a little trickier.

[00:14:03] So we try hard and that's often why sort of the date keeps getting shifted and shifted and shifted.

[00:14:08] But that, that is kind of our main tradition, if you, if you will.

[00:14:14] Have you seen any, anything that comes to mind in, in, in your travels?

[00:14:22] In your business travels?

[00:14:23] One of the things, of course, is, uh, companies who embrace this, uh, this Christmas jumper tradition.

[00:14:29] I don't know if you have that.

[00:14:32] Is that a big thing?

[00:14:33] I just had like a picture of some of like my professional network and Christmas jumpers.

[00:14:39] And yeah.

[00:14:40] So some of the companies I've been with it, like big corporates, uh, they, they embrace this, uh, Christmas jumper thing.

[00:14:46] And so for the entire month of December, the staff will typically wear, I mean, even if they still have to wear a shirt and tie.

[00:14:53] And so it still looks a bit weird, but they, they wear these.

[00:14:56] Jokey jumpers, Christmassy jumpers that really over the top things, you know, some of them are nice and tailored and stylish.

[00:15:02] And some of them are just really ridiculous and silly, but they're Christmassy, they're fun.

[00:15:06] And, uh, you know, it's just a way of having that Christmas spirit around the office without necessarily creating too much disruption.

[00:15:13] I think I need a definition of, you know, from the Brit.

[00:15:17] What, what is a jumper?

[00:15:19] Oh, okay.

[00:15:20] Uh, so I don't, but then I'm second guessing if I have the right picture in my mind.

[00:15:27] Yeah, no, it's a, it's a sweater.

[00:15:28] Okay.

[00:15:29] All right.

[00:15:29] I had like a, I had a picture of like a head to toe, like full body.

[00:15:33] Ah, no, like a onesie.

[00:15:36] You mean?

[00:15:37] Yes.

[00:15:37] No, I was a jumper.

[00:15:39] So fine.

[00:15:40] Okay.

[00:15:40] Uh, yeah.

[00:15:41] Yeah.

[00:15:41] Um, now, yeah, there's a tradition of here just generally of like, you know, wear your

[00:15:46] ugliest Christmas sweater to the ugly sweater party.

[00:15:49] Yeah.

[00:15:49] I think it's a similar.

[00:15:52] Yeah.

[00:15:52] Anyway, I like that.

[00:15:54] My, my daughter's school, all the teachers are wearing a different, um, theme for the

[00:15:58] last week of school.

[00:15:59] So that's what they were doing.

[00:16:01] So she came home and everybody's wearing this today.

[00:16:03] And of course, if you're in countries that have quite strong, you know, religious traditions

[00:16:07] as well, then, uh, then typically those tend to, uh, become part of the corporate culture

[00:16:12] as well.

[00:16:13] And it becomes an important part of that.

[00:16:15] Uh, in, in, in Sweden, they have, um, uh, Lucia, uh, and, uh, they have all the young

[00:16:23] ladies dressing up in white and, um, going on parade and all this sort of stuff.

[00:16:28] And it's a really big thing.

[00:16:29] It's a really big, important day and, uh, companies will stop for it and they will, you

[00:16:34] know, embrace that.

[00:16:35] And it will become an important part of that, you know, that season, even though it may not

[00:16:40] be relevant for all of the people who are there, it's part of the tradition, part of the

[00:16:44] culture and something that, that, that becomes, you know, just part of the life.

[00:16:49] One other thing though, which I think is really funny and I've just remembered, and I've,

[00:16:53] I've not experienced it myself because I've not done Christmas in Norway, but I understand

[00:16:58] that families always hide their brooms, you know, brushes and brooms and stuff that they

[00:17:03] have in the house on Christmas Eve.

[00:17:05] So they hide them in cupboards and other places so that the witches can't take them and go

[00:17:10] for a midnight fly.

[00:17:11] Huh?

[00:17:14] In case they might interrupt.

[00:17:17] Yeah.

[00:17:17] Witches or evil spirits, I believe, I believe it was, but yeah, yeah, exactly.

[00:17:21] So you've got to hide your brooms on Christmas Eve.

[00:17:26] Well, hopefully we've got people.

[00:17:27] People just kind of reflecting and thinking about some of their traditions and maybe having

[00:17:31] a little bit of a groan at, uh, at the way we converse when we're being a little bit

[00:17:36] more casual about it.

[00:17:37] Um, thanks for chatting, Andy.

[00:17:39] Appreciate, uh, appreciate the, uh, fitting in another episode before the end of, uh, end

[00:17:44] of the year.

[00:17:45] It's been, uh, it's been a lot of fun this year.

[00:17:47] It's been, uh, it's been good to, uh, think and chat about all these themes with you.

[00:17:52] And I'm, uh, really looking forward to, um, what 2025 is going to have.

[00:17:56] Yeah.

[00:17:57] Likewise.

[00:17:57] Likewise.

[00:17:58] See you next year.

[00:17:59] All right.

[00:18:00] Thanks everybody.

[00:18:01] Thank you.