This month we speak with Rudolph Reindeer, AKA "Red-Nosed"

He explains his career to date, the incident that led to the famous name, and also what's in store for the future.

Hi Rudolph, thanks for speaking with us.

What’s your current role?
Head Reindeer, North Pole Council Reindeer Team.  I report directly to Santa, the CEO.

What can you tell us about your career to date? 
I worked for a few of the other big names before the role with Santa and the North Pole Council team. 

For example, for a while I was one of the staff for the Easter Bunny, but the work conditions were not what you’d expect so I moved on.  Oh, and there was an unfortunate "egg incident" that also played a part in my departure.  I got some good experience though, especially in the field of being part of a huge one day event. 

I’ve been with the North Pole Council since 1939, which sounds like a long time, but as you probably know Santa, the elves and I actually never age at all.  Sounds good on the surface but our EB takes this into account, and as a result our long service leave only accrues every 50 years.

And what’s with the name?
You know, this all started off as a lark and got a bit out of hand.  One Christmas Eve I had too much to drink, and my nose went just a little red.  So the other reindeers, and Santa, started giving me heaps about it, and it sort of stuck. 

I suppose though, that “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” is better than “Rudolph the half-pi**ed Reindeer” which was probably more accurate at the time.

And were you pleased that it was made into a song?
Well, I was certainly surprised.  I quite like the song, it’s got a good catchy tune, but the lyrics are a bit contrived.

I mean, supposedly putting me at the front to light the way with my red nose on a foggy Christmas Eve? 

Really, the North Pole Council organisation is a pretty big outfit.  They can afford headlights on the sleigh.  This was just another wind-up from the other reindeers.  Can you imagine our insurance allowing a sleigh to operate at night with no lights, with just the glow from a nose?  Seriously, the Scheme would be on us like a seagull on a chip.

But, the song raised my profile in the organisation, so I can’t complain.

What’s next for you?
Well, I’m happy here for the moment, but of course I always keep my eyes open for any new opportunities.  Apart from the run up to Christmas, my time is fairly free during the rest of the year for other projects. 

Taryn from LG Professionals keeps in close contact, and gives me a call from time to time.   She wanted me to help out at the last conference but we just couldn’t make our schedules line up.  Maybe next year, as I hear 2015 is going to be huge!

Do you have an embarrassing local government moment?
Didn’t I mention the red nose thing?

How do you spend your leisure time away from the office?
I go to the Gym, play a bit of tennis  (not easy with hooves but I still have a mean forehand) and I like to relax in front of the TV. 

Any advice for aspiring reindeers?
Well, constant professional development is important, especially through LG Professionals.  Even as a reindeer, it’s essential to keep “sharpening the saw” to perform at your best. 

Oh, and sometimes having a few drinks after work actually turns out for the best…..