Relax, Enjoy, Learn
I have a confession to make. I really enjoy Christmas movies. Sure, I could blame it on my five kids, but it is hard to argue with the value of a good holiday movie. They are great on a relaxing Saturday afternoon as a nice diversion from the nonstop insanity of the holiday season. They’re also solid, mindless entertainment. Most Christmas movies are very light on plot and very heavy on sentimentality. Others have a strong moral message, or maybe remind the kids to be good because the big man Santa Claus is watching. I enjoy them all. Holiday movies are about appreciating the good in your life, even when it’s hard to see that good.
It might surprise you that Christmas movies have some wise business lessons hidden at their core. If you’re partial to the Hallmark variety of Christmas movies, you have unavoidably been buried under their avalanche of charming small-town shops, quaint bakeries, and local craft competitions. But the others, even the ones you’d least expect, reinforce some basic business—and life—principles. ‘Tis the season to, maybe, take a refresher course on them all.
1.Money isn’t everything, but it doesn’t hurt
There are countless holiday movies that remind us that there is a lot more to life than money. In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the boss’s decision to eliminate holiday bonuses nearly sends Clark Griswold off a cliff. To save a few bucks, Mr. Shirley nearly ruined the holiday season and maybe even the year for his employees. When given the chance, Clark explains how bad a move it was, explaining to Mr. Shirley how employees depend on it as a portion of their income. Mr. Shirley learns that alienating his employees is no way to run a business or make a profit. At the same time, Clark learns that he doesn’t need an extravagant backyard pool. A similar business lesson appears in the Holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” The hardworking but chronically underpaid Bob Cratchit embodies the ideal that money isn’t everything. He and his family are a loving group that appreciate what they have, but most importantly appreciate each other. Their generous and loving spirit convinces mean, old Scrooge that his cheapskate ways are not a smart operating strategy—in his business or in his life.
2. You Do You
In “Elf,” Will Ferrell’s Buddy is different from the elves on the North Pole. He is physically bigger, he is more easily excitable, and he’s terrible at making toys in Santa’s workshop. Buddy’s Christmas spirit, however, is incomparable. We also come to find out Buddy is a fabulous storyteller. We meet other characters who are not like most others. The “angry elf” Buddy meets in New York, world famous author Miles Finch, is the very gifted author. He, too, is physically different from those around him. The combined efforts of all the generic businessmen in very similar, nondescript suits cannot match what Buddy and Miles are able to accomplish. Buddy is also an inspiration to those around him. Buddy is unafraid to spread joy. Whether elaborately decorating and “singing loud for all to hear,” Buddy is quick to spread his unique spirit. What makes Buddy different is what makes him great. What makes you different makes you great, too. This is the most important thing you can give your students, players, members, and customers. Don’t ever try to be like everyone else. Your unique value proposition is why they want to do business with you.
3. Karma is Real
If you are looking for an end-of-the-year boost in sales and productivity, just about the worst thing a boss can do is to negatively influence the personal lives of their employees. This type of “abuse” bleeds into the workplace, and is almost certain to negatively impact your company. In “Trading Spaces,” the Duke brothers use Winthorpe and Valentine as guinea pigs in their not-so-small experiment. When Winthorpe and Valentine realize how they have been used, they join forces to destroy the brothers. Ultimately, the Duke brothers lose everything in their respective lives‒all over a $1 bet. When doing business, conduct yourself with honor. People do business with people they like so it’s a profitable strategy, too. What goes around comes around, don’t burn bridges or sew any bad seeds‒these are all life lessons that are more than old clichés.
4. Always, always, always, dream Big
Throughout most of “A Christmas Story,” little Ralphie Parker schemes and connives on how to convince his parents and just about every other adult in his life that he is mature enough for a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. He tries to make stateman-like arguments to his mother, is cooperative when asked to help his little brother, and even wears a ridiculous homemade costume sent from an aunt. Ralphie works overtime paying his dues to prove he is mature enough for the rifle. Even though on Christmas morning it appears that his dream will not come true, Ralphie is content with his Christmas, and has come to appreciate his family more than ever before. When it is finally revealed that he got the rifle, the victory is all the sweeter thanks to the incredible effort he put into achieving it. We should always dream big in business, too, no matter how unachievable it seems. To me, the alternative is a surrender.
As we end 2021, we continue to work harder than ever for you, our members. On December, 14, we officially launched our new “PNWPGA Perks program.” Available at no charge for all “Friends of the PNWPGA,” the Perks Program grows the consumer database we created in 2021, while making “belonging” to our group even more valuable. This database, currently just under 60,000 golf consumers, will receive offers on discounts, special offers, and regular giveaways from seventeen sponsors—and that list is already growing. Next, I would like to remind you that the PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship application for the 2022-2023 school year will be available Friday, December 17, 2021.
Lastly, it is my sincere pleasure to announce that Ms. Jayme Eberle, LPGA, has been selected as the new Executive Director serving the Inland Empire, Western Montana, and Central Washington Chapters. Jayme comes to the Section after serving Gordon Corder and his team at Manito G&CC as their Golf Operations Manager. My thanks to the leadership of each of these three chapters for their tireless work to select our newest team member.
On behalf of our amazing Section staff, please accept our best wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe, be well, enjoy those you love, and, if you have the time, watch a couple holiday movies. If you look hard enough, you’ll find a gift within each of them.
Frank Talarico, CEO