Advice Hub

Christmas Podding: Day 12 – Wrapping Presents, Wrapping Interviews, and Carol Singers 🎄

Video

Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today’s episode brings festive frustrations, recruitment tips, and some light-hearted laughs.

First up: Wrapping presents – do you DIY or delegate?
DIY struggles: Sellotape on your knee, lost folds, and wrestling with awkwardly shaped gifts (looking at you, Lush Snow Fairy bottles).
Top tip: Stick it all in a box – easier to wrap and less stress.

But what about wrapping up interviews that aren’t going well? Here’s our advice for clients:

  • Be polite and direct. Thank the candidate for their time, explain why the fit isn’t right, and avoid wasting anyone’s time – including yours.
  • Give people a chance. First impressions matter, but nerves can get in the way. Some candidates may take time to warm up, so don’t rush to cut things short.
  • Use tools to streamline. Pre-interview video clips from candidates can save time and ensure alignment before the first meeting.

And finally, the ultimate Christmas conundrum: what do you do with carol singers?
🎶 Let them finish? Shut the door? Bribe them to stop? We’ll leave that one up to you.

More from our Advice Hub

Insights

How to Build a Finance Team That Actually Adds Value (Not Just Reports Numbers)

5 min read
Published 11 months ago
Team meeting

Finance Should Be Driving the Business—Not Just Ticking Boxes
Once upon a time, finance teams were all about balance sheets, reporting deadlines, and making sure the numbers added...

Read More
Insights

AI in Commercial Finance and Accounting: Shaping the Future

3 min read
Published 2 years ago

As we venture further into the 21st century, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just the subject of science fiction—it’s a pivotal player in the commercial finance and accounting...

Read More
Insights

10 Metrics Every CFO Should Track (But Won’t See on a Dashboard)

7 min read
Published 4 months ago
Charts of data

Most CFOs have a dashboard full of KPIs — revenue growth, gross margin, cash flow. The usual suspects. But there’s a problem: the numbers that truly show how finance is performing as a function...

Read More
Insights

Why Your Job Ads Are About as Exciting as a Tax Return (And How to Fix Them)

5 min read
Published 1 year ago

Let’s Be Honest – No One Is Excited to Read Your Job Ad
You know that moment when you open your inbox and see a reminder about your tax return? That sinking feeling, the desperate urge to be...

Read More
Insights

If Your Finance Team Isn’t Driving Growth, You’re Doing It Wrong

6 min read
Published 9 months ago
Growth in business

How to Build a Finance Team That Actually Adds Value (Not Just Reports Numbers)
Spoiler: Finance Isn’t Just About Counting the Pennies Anymore
 
Once upon a time, a finance team’s job was...

Read More
Insights

How to Spot a Finance Hire Who Will Actually Elevate Your Business

7 min read
Published 2 months ago
Handshake

The right finance hire can completely change the trajectory of your business. They don’t just manage the numbers – they shape the decisions that drive them. A great finance leader...

Read More