"Here we are again at the start of another New Year - don't they come around quickly. It seems to me that the older I get, the sooner I'm making that same statement as each New Year dawns - no pun intended! As we enter what is, in my experience, potentially our busiest time of year, I wonder what trials and tribulations we can look forward to in 2009?

"With all the talk of the financial crisis and significant job losses expected this year, I suspect that many of us will see continuing interest from those thinking about starting their own business.

"Many institutions are finding themselves ill equipped to deal with the climate we currently find ourselves in. Many banks and other organisations that have for years been shedding older more experienced staff in favour of bright young things may now have to re-look at their recruitment policies to ensure that there is some age and experience within their staff. Employing people who have been through similar times before can help provide support that there will be light at the end of the tunnel at some point! We've all heard the criticisms fired at our network for being grey haired, grey suited, retired bank managers etc. Perhaps now is the time for us to restate that we have those characteristics in abundance and they are not actually a bad thing when experience and a trip once or twice around the block are what is really needed!

"One thing is for sure - these things go in cycles - we move into them and at some point we move out again - so our job should be to continue to serve the people who need us most - our clients! We need to be positive and look for opportunities, both for them and for our own organisations - as there are bound to be some.  And remember, before you know it we'll be looking back on 2009 and considering what 2010 holds for us. The sun will still come up tomorrow no matter what!"

It would be great to hear any thoughts from you on this. You can respond by clicking the 'Comment' tab to the right of this article.  Until my next post in the March issue, all the very best!