Dear HR Managers and Business Owners,

A new Ipsos Reid survey conducted on behalf of CanWest/Global News reports that the majority of Canadians (76 per cent) look back upon the year 2006 as "good year overall" in comparison to years past. One in five (21 per cent), though, say 2006 was a "bad year overall" in their opinion.

But according to another recent survey published in the HR Reporter only 59 per cent of Canadians are happy at work - ranking Canada 18th among the 28 countries surveyed. Only 26 per cent of the 10,000 Canadians surveyed said they regularly get rewards for a job well done, while 30 per cent said they are seldom or never rewarded.

Bottom line? As 2007 begins remember how important the small things can be at work. We all want a workplace with good morale, stimulating work, a degree of autonomy, and one where they receive feedback from our bosses. Keeping this in mind could pay off huge dividends as 2007 progresses.

On behalf of everyone at People First, here is to a great year ahead!

Cheers,