I've just got back from Amsterdam where we held our annual conference for employees.  Its an important tradition within StepStone - each year we gather to be told the vision and strategy for the year ahead by the Chairman of the Board, our Executive Leadership Team and, importantly, we get to celebrate the individual contributions of  StepStoners from different parts of the business.

This year was no different from any of the others that I've attended over the past few years in terms of the concentration on growth and the importance of supporting customer success, but this year there was a huge emphasis on what StepStone has done to cope with the meltdown in financial services - predictable revenues, cash positive, credit facilities negotiated at the beginnning of 2008 and happy investors means that the business is financially secure and able not just to get through the year, but to invest in the company and improve the customer experience.

Of course nobody is doubting how difficult 2009 could get but StepStone is absolutely committed to the success of customers and supporting the changing requirements for human capital.   

Coming back to work after any holiday can be difficult, but the first day back after the Christmas break is, in some ways, the hardest.  The British press have been reporting that today is the most depressing day of the year as people returning to work deal with cold weather and a gloomy economic outlook. 

So, to lift the spirits and help you get through the day check out these tips from Rick Rainbow, Office Survivalist.