From Gantt Charts to gift wrap: your Festive Performance Management styles revealed!
The results of the Compincent Festive Performance Management (FPM) quiz are officially in! We dived into the seasonal data set to discover whether you approach the holidays with the precision of a project manager or the flexibility of a startup founder.
It turns out that when it comes to the most wonderful time of the year, our Compincent community is a savvy, adaptable bunch – well done to all of us!
The most popular style was the Value Maximiser, closely followed by the Agile Strategist.
Value Maximisers are the masters of the ROI of Joy. You make smart, curated decisions, like picking your absolute favourite decorations for a fresh look rather than cluttering the hallway. You’re too smart to be seduced into overspending in the pre-Christmas sales: you focus your resources on meaningful gifts for those closest to you.
Agile Strategists are expert at pivoting! Whether it’s a sudden change in the guest list or a scorched tray of parsnips, you handle the innate unpredictability of a family Christmas with grace. You pace your present-wrapping to maintain peak efficiency without losing your festive spirit!
The Technology Transformer turns out to be a rare breed. It seems we’re a team of traditionalists at heart! For most of us, Christmas isn’t an occasion to outsource to digital assistants or AI. Taking the most efficient shortcut simply doesn’t bring as much joy as writing lists by hand, personalising the gift-wrapping or cooking from scratch. We prefer a hands-on approach over a digitally optimised light display!
Why are we so focused on Value Maximisation? We suspect it’s because most of us are trying to achieve maximum cheer for our money. But we’re not a bunch of Scrooges! We just love the thrill of hunting down a bargain and ensuring our hard-earned resources are used to bring peak levels of happiness to our nearest and dearest. It’s all about high-impact celebrations.
Along with your styles, many of you shared your top performance tips for Christmas 2025. We are seriously impressed by the bumper selection box of festive performance hacks you gifted us! Here are some highlights to help you in the last few days before Christmas.
Festive Performance Hacks: The Compincent Guide to 2025 Christmas Joy
Whether you’re a Process Perfectionist or an Agile Strategist, these tried and tested hacks will help you deliver maximum returns on your festive investment of effort.
- The Stocking Switcheroo (ninja-level efficiency hack)
Buy a double batch of identical stockings so there’s one lot all wrapped and stuffed beforehand. They can be quietly switched on Christmas Eve without having to lurk, pack, and return in the middle of the night!
We’re awarding a small prize to quiz respondent Suzanne who shared this piece of logistical genius. Order those extra stockings on next day delivery now, to ensure a smooth, stealthy and stress-free night before Christmas!
- The Hospitality Hero (pivoting with grace)
For those worried about the project deadline (aka Christmas dinner time), remember that stakeholders (family) value atmosphere over a strict schedule.
“Stop and recentre if you’re feeling overwhelmed. People won’t be disappointed if you use frozen roasties or if dinner isn’t on the table at the expected time. Spending time enjoying family and friends is more important than a ‘perfect’ timeline.
- Strategic outsourcing & load-sharing
Performance is a team sport! Two of our favourite tips focused on delegating the heavy lifting.
Ensure someone else is doing the cooking!
Share the load, split the tasks, and [optional!] start every day with breakfast Prosecco!
- The Reset Protocol
In the middle of the festive busy-ness, don’t forget the importance of downtime to avoid burnout.
Take regular time out from social gatherings. Have a reset with some alone or quiet time to recharge your batteries.
- Focus on Festive Impact
Finally, remember the core objective of the holiday season:
Always make extra food and prepare silly games for all the family. Prioritise happiness and fun, especially for the children: don’t be tied down by others’ expectations.
It’s supposed to be a fun time, not a mentally draining one! So, put on Love Actually, pour a glass of mulled wine, and remember that even if your Christmas Gantt Chart goes out the window, the memories are what count.
Happy Christmas from all of us at Compincent, and thanks again to everyone who took the quiz and shared their wisdom!