2010 (MMX) will be a common year starting on Friday in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. It will also be the first year of the 2010s decade. Proclaimed by the United Nations, 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. The 2000s is the decade that started on January 1, 2000 and ends on December 31, 2009. It is the current decade, and the decade in which the 21st century and 3rd millennium began. Long live the “Ten’s” the “Noughties” are over, and hopefully the biggest slice of the recession!

I know from conversations yesterday many of our clients will have good cause for lower levels of productivity with a hungover workforce today. My own observations that most of the Christmas parties have passed loudly last night, many more will kick off tonight to celebrate a tough year at work for most (+70 %) leaving I am sure, plenty of gossip for the weekend’s social networks and next Monday morning’s morning break. Others of course will have been less fortunate as companies will have included the Christmas Party in their cost cutting measures for 2009. Bah! Humbug!

A tough year for most and looks like 2010 will be slow with recent market jitters again about sovereign debt being the new subprime with Spain, Greece, Ukraine, Austria and Latvia some of the biggest worries here in Europe, recent views of  rating agencies that these countries are at high risk of defaulting …… blah blah blah. Eitherways, holds little weight at the moment I think most people in the world of work, like myself have switched into festive mode already and looking forward to special time with family and friends.

Merry Christmas! Yes I do mean it “literally”  whichever your vice, of course if you have one (glue wine aka mulled wine, hot Irish whiskey with lemon & cloves*, hot port, etc.). Wishing you all a safe, cosy and lovely Christmas time with family and friends. Lest not forget St. Nicholas’s contribution to celebrating Christmas by giving and encouraging people to remember those in need during Christmas and throughout the year.

See you in the 2010’s! Marc

“The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”

Helen Keller