LONDON is preparing to host one of the shipping events of the year: the 2009 conference of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association. WISTA, led by international president Marita Scott, is going from strength to strength. Spinnaker Consulting employs several WISTA members and we support its role in maritime career development, fostering industry expertise, and networking.

All through history, one subject appears again and again. How to make a lot of money quickly! The first recorded case in England was that of a State Lottery in 1569. The tickets were on sale at the west door of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The name of the winner is not recorded. In 1720 the whole of England became involved with what has since become known as The South Sea Bubble.

Question One: What were the five biggest economic crashes in history before this one? Question Two: What is a sudden influx of freight research and analysis vacancies? a) A coincidence? b) A trend? c) Green shoots of recovery?

Dubai officials are looking at reducing visa fees and allowing 100% ownership of businesses outside its free zones in an effort to stimulate economic activity, according to Emirates Business 24/7.

UK Border Agency announced that individuals who applied for and were granted entry clearance (or leave to remain in the UK) under the “Highly Skilled Migrant Programme” (HSMP) can now apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

EMPLOYERS in many sectors are showing a reluctance to make hiring decisions unless all managers are in complete agreement. Doesn't sound so strange but when times are hard decision-making tends to rise up the organizational hierarchy, individuals are less willing or able to stick their necks out and we seek the safety of consensus.

SPEED is one of those things that recruiters and employers like to measure to demonstrate the efficiency, or otherwise, of the recruitment process. Certainly one consequence of the recession-induced decision-making drought is that the recruitment process takes longer.

INTERESTINGLY while a “committee-based” approach to recruitment is an entirely understandable sign of the times in some organisations, in others it is a sign of a more deep-rooted problem with management or organizational structures and one that endures whatever the economic climate.

PERCEPTION says there is a surplus of candidates out there and employers can pick and choose. One client said to us recently: “Everyone's looking and everyone's worried about their jobs. Surely there must be loads of people who want to come and work for us at the moment?”