The smart ones are not wallowing in Q4, they're planning ahead.

The fantastic thing about starting a new business is the excitement of getting around your network and having the time to be thorough - no endless meetings about budgets, no internal discussions around KPI's and no debates around 2 or 3 courses for the Christmas party! Just an opportunity to really understand what your business community is thinking about.

In my case this is very clear - 90% of my discussions with potential clients have been around resourcing for project delivery NOW ready for Q1 2024.

'We need to get ahead now'
'We're using our budget discussions to take advantage of a better year in 2024'
'Now is the time to to resource for delivery on innovation and change'

So what is this telling us about 2024? If you're fortunate enough to have that mythical crystal ball at your disposal you'll be forgiven for assuming 2024 is all about progression, innovation and more transformation. In my mind, the very fact that clients are talking about project delivery for Q1 is a strong sign.

On the candidate side, a number in my network are talking about heading for new roles to deliver on more significant transformation. They have been briefed that much of their initial remit is to staff up on project delivery teams capable of delivering game changing initiatives. Good news for recruiters as long as you have the capability! Thorpe & Partners certainly does.

Finally, this is also excellent for the soul - we're led to believe by the press and so many negative influences that the world is in a torrid place. Surrounded by conflict, both politically and financially, yet the signs for the future in business are more positive - we all need to make the most out of it whilst being mindful of those less fortunate than ourselves facing atrocities not of their own making.

Let's all be positive and plan for a strong 2024!