“What you up to Bob?”

“I’ve got this address thing to do…”

“A dress? You’ve got to wear a dress?”

“No! Address, like the Queen at Christmas.”

“Now I’m getting really worried, you’ve got to dress like the Queen at Christmas?”

“No! A_D_D_R_E_S_S. Like a blog, article, whatever…”

“Oh, OK. I get it. So what are you going to write about?”

“That’s exactly the problem. I’m not sure. It’s meant to be New Year themed, so review of last year, look forward to next. That sort of stuff.”

“Well, you don’t want to dwell on last year do you? That was rubbish. Global recession, Euro crisis, riots across the UK. Not much to be that glad about really, apart from it being last year…”

“Fair point. But what should I write about for next year then? There’s still global financial uncertainty, and the crisis in the Euro zone hasn’t gone away.”

“True. But last year our European businesses did really well, and look to have a good strong footing for next. And our newer operations in the US and Asia are having a great end to their years just as the markets start to bounce back in their regions. They are perfectly placed to take advantage of the resurgence in the US and Asia.”

“All good points. I should definitely work that in somehow. I don’t just want to dwell on financial matters though, I have to try and add a bit of colour to it.”

“Hmmm….. I’ve got it! It’s going to be an amazing sporting year, in Europe at least! You’ve got the European Championships coming up…”

“Of course! European Figure Skating Championships, in January I think, up in Sheffield.”

“Err, no, I was thinking more of the Euro Football Championships, to be held in Poland and Ukraine, in the summer. Are you sure you’re not wearing a dress? Anyway, it’s not just them, there’s the Olympics and Paralympics too, and of course they are truly global. It’s going to be brilliant.”

“Good point again (if a little harsh on figure skaters everywhere, don’t let HR hear you talking like that..). I could draw some parallels between the winners at the games, and all the winners who work for Intact, who make it the great company we are, and of course all our customers who become winners because they work with us…..”

“See? You’re on a roll now. Let’s just think for a minute. Is there anything notable you should avoid?……. Ah yes, hang on a tick. Probably best to avoid the 21st December.”

“21st December? Why’s that?”

“End of the world, basically. Mayan prediction and all that. Didn’t you see the movie? Come to think of it, why did we bother putting together a three year plan? Could well have been a waste of time y’know. Probably should have focused on maximising the first 10 months of the next financial year….”

“Get a grip. It was just a film. A film based on a bunch of hick doomsday theories to boot. Most Professional Mayanist scholars state that predictions of impending doom are not found in any of the classic Mayan accounts. If anything the end of their “long-count” calendar simply signifies the coming of a new era. Start of a bright new phase in human history and all that. Now that would be a good parallel to draw, that 2012 will mark the next phase of Intact’s development as a business, gateway to an ever brighter future and all that.”

“Hmm, have to admit it, good stuff. Where’d you get all that gumph about the Mayan prophecy though?”

“Google* of course, good eh?”

“Indeed. And obviously you’d have to wish everybody a Happy New Year”

“Goes without saying”

“Well then mate, all you got to do is write it up, job done………… What exactly are you going to wear then?”

(*Other search engines are available…)

Bob