The 12 Days of Christmas Day 10 – Tinsel, transitions, and teamwork: managing change the festive way

If you think the North Pole is all sleigh bells and snowball fights, think again. Behind the scenes, Father Christmas runs one of the busiest operations in the world. And tucked away in the North Pole Office, between spreadsheets made of ice and strategy meetings fuelled by hot cocoa, you’ll find Finn the elf – change manager extraordinaire. 

Finn hasn’t always had an easy job. A few years back, the elves tried rolling out a new toy-tracking system just two weeks before Christmas Eve. Chaos followed. Confused elves, missed deadlines, and one unfortunate incident involving a drone-powered teddy bear. Lesson learned: change needs managing properly, even when you’ve got magic on your side. 

That’s where a structured change management approach comes in – something Finn now swears by. Studies show that initiatives and projects with proper change management are six times more likely to succeed. Six times! Finn likes to say that’s the difference between delivering presents on time… or having to explain yourself to millions of disappointed children. 

At Arribatec, this philosophy is taken just as seriously as it is at the North Pole. How people are guided through change determines whether it works at all, and more importantly, whether it sticks long after the tinsel has come down. Technology, processes and strategies might look impressive on paper, but without people fully on board, they’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot. 

Finn has seen firsthand how a tailored and structured approach can transform an organisation. When change is handled well, it doesn’t just save time and money – it strengthens culture too. Elves feel heard, involved and confident. Productivity rises, stress drops, and suddenly everyone’s pulling the sleigh in the same direction. 

So what does good change management actually look like? At Arribatec, it starts with understanding. Analysing change characteristics, the effects on the organisation, and the long-term sustainability of the initiative ensures there are no nasty surprises hiding under the tree. Finn insists this is like checking the naughty and nice list twice – essential. 

Next comes empowerment. Clear communication and thoughtful implementation planning help people understand not just what is changing, but why. Finn knows that an informed elf is a motivated elf. When employees are brought along on the journey, rather than dragged behind the sleigh, change feels far less daunting. 

Resistance is another familiar guest, whether in the boardroom or the toy workshop. Arribatec’s tailored approaches help reduce organisational resistance by addressing concerns early and respectfully. Finn compares it to convincing grumpy reindeer to try a new flight route – patience, clarity and the occasional carrot go a long way. 

Finally, there’s building long-term change capacity. Rather than treating each initiative as a one-off, Arribatec helps organisations develop their ability to adapt again and again. For Finn, this has been a game changer. The North Pole is now ready for whatever comes next – AI-powered wish lists, anyone? 

As the festive season reminds us, change doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right structure, a bit of warmth, and expert guidance, it can be something to celebrate. Just ask Finn the elf – he’ll be the one in the North Pole Office, raising a mug of cocoa to successful change that truly lasts.