How was 2010 for you?

December’s rolling quickly towards Christmas and that means the end of the year is fast approaching too. I’m not sure it’ll be marked down in the history books as a good year but 2010 probably just avoided reaching ‘annus horribils’ status.

Let’s be honest, after the disaster that was 2009, 2010 didn’t have to deliver much to be an improvement.

After the pre-election waiting game, the second part of the year began with news of huge public sector cuts and no definitive answer as to how drastic the impact would be on the private sector and the economy as a whole.

We’ve spent the year concentrating on what we do best – matching clients with candidates, candidates with roles, and providing the added value we’re so proud of.

We’ve once again taken a leading role in ensuring local businesses are preparing adequately for the deadline for the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations next October. Our on-going relationship with the REC has helped enormously and we were delighted to welcome the REC’s director of external relations Tom Hadley to speak at a one-off seminar about the regulations in the summer.

Around 200 of Peterborough’s most high profile business people attended our annual Breakfast Law Briefing to hear about the new Equality Act in September.

This year’s annual Salary Survey produced some interesting results – showing an average two per cent increase in wages over the past 12 months. After a 3.6 per cent downturn the previous year that was good news.

Our student sponsorship continued, as did our support for both the Peterborough and Stamford business awards – perfect opportunities to recognise business of all sizes and types and their input into the city’s economy.

The environment has been at the top of our agenda throughout the year. We have given presentations and provided blueprints to other commercial organisations explaining how to move towards becoming a paperless office. Our investment in that side of the business has continued with more and more of our systems integrated.

Overall, for us as a business, it’s been a good year with plenty of positives to look back on. That’s reflected in the fact there’ll be two new members of staff at our 2010 Christmas party. Charlotte and Suzi have both joined the team in the last few months and we’re looking forward to showing them the importance of playing hard as well as working hard!

So, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful Christmas and, of course, a prosperous new year.

Business as usual

While a lot of businesses opt for a total shut down between Christmas and New Year our doors are open for the three normal working days – December 29th, 30th and 31st.

We will however be enjoying the extended break caused by Christmas falling over a weekend and our Park Road office will be shut from lunchtime on Christmas Eve - throughout the bank holidays - through until 9am the following Wednesday – 29th.

We will be working with clients and candidates to ensure everything is in place for a smooth transition from 2010 to 2011!

Carrying on a Christmas tradition

It’s traditional to treat Santa to a mince pie and a glass of something warming as he goes on his merry way around the globe. We’re delighted to be carrying that Christmas tradition forward by supplying not just one Santa but several hundred with exactly that in the form of home made mince pies and steaming mulled wine.

For the third consecutive year, we have pledged our support to the Rotary Club of Stamford Burghley’s Santa Fun Run by supplying the refreshments for all those Santas who cross the line.

And we’re entering a team too – yes, we’ve managed to round up a dozen people not put off by tales of mud and ice that have filtered back over the past two years! Sticking to tradition – albeit a new one – we will, once again be Anne’s Recruitment Reindeers.

The organisers are hoping for a record breaking 800 entrants this year. Last year 565 people grouped into 33 teams raised going on for £19,000 for good causes, locally and nationally – a fantastic effort.

So, if you find yourself in or around Burghley Park near Stamford on Sunday (December 12) at 11am do come and cheer on the 800 Santas, running, walking and sliding round the course.

And don’t forget to come and say hello to us at our refreshment stall.

http://www.stamfordsantafunrun.com/