THERE'S nothing like a good snowfall to reveal three distinct characteristics of the British nation. First, whilst they may seem like a shy bunch, they're just waiting for an excuse to break down the social barriers and have a chat. A jolly good war has the same effect!

OF course, the recession is doing a fine job of giving people all over the world something to talk about. Never before have so many been so interested in or so opinionated about world economics.

POSSIBLY the largest ever survey of shore-side shipping salaries – from chartering managers to chief engineers – has recently taken place, with 29 companies reporting data for nearly 3,000 staff around the world.

DESPITE what we hear all the time, it is not true that people are our most important asset. The “right” people are, however. Whilst this may seem like a pedantic distinction, stop for a moment and analyse the people in your business. Think about:

Do your incentive programmes influence staff behaviour? We all build incentives around the assumption that they both “produce” and “reward” good results. But, again, think about the “right” people in your business…

NEVILLE Smith, formerly deputy editor of daily shipping and insurance newspaper Lloyd's List, is now working freelance, accepting editorial and copywriting commissions and consultancy work. Neville has 16 years' experience reporting on the maritime and related industries…

BACK in September 2008 the British Government's newly-formed “Migration Advisory Committee” issued its first report recommending inclusion of “ship and hovercraft officers” on its shortage occupation lists for the United Kingdom and Scotland…

FACEBOOK aside (now at the ripe old age of five), does anyone actually use social networking sites like Plaxo and Linked In? Or, is it the case, as I suspect, that for most people social networking simply means accepting “invitations” to connect before returning to their overflowing inboxes?

PRODUCT & CHEMICAL TANKERS: Many of the leading players in the chemical and product tanker market will be gathering in London 10-11 March for Navigate's latest conference. PIRACY: The London Shipping Law Centre LSLC will be discussing the consequences of piracy – risk management, insurance, GA issues, effects on the chartered voyage and practical steps that could or should be taken.