SMALL TALK

Michelsberg formerly of executive search firm Macallum hasn't cut his ties completely (geddit?) with the sector as many of his best clients are recruiters.

"Our passion is making people look good and feel great," he said. "Enthusiasm is infectious and this can help lead to success."

The company visits clients at their offices or homes and provides bespoke suits, jackets and overcoats.

Management guru David Taylor won the sympathy of many delegates at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) conference during his talk: "What is keeping your chief executive office awake at night?".

He said having to choose between a dentist drilling deep into your tooth without anaesthetic and having to read a manual on total quality management would be a close call. However, he seemed a tad irritated when the main points of his address appeared in the CIPD's daily conference bulletin.

Never let it be said that the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) doesn't do its bit to help failing companies.

Sea Containers, the US parent of rail firm GNER, recently filed for Chapter 11 protection from its creditors. But its finances must have improved.

The CIPD picks Harrogate, Yorkshire, for its annual conference - but it's not popular with delegates in London. If you don't book ahead, GNER charges Londoners £176 for the standard class return.

For those serving sectors with skills shortages it seems your problems could be solved in one hit. Just bring in a couple of young, good-looking members of the Royal Family and your recruitment problems are over. The army has reported that young women are flocking to join as officers to try to get to know Princes William and Harry.

Recruiters have noticed a "significant" rise in applications from female candidates since the two Royals started training. One instructor said: "The real change over the past year has been the number of female applicants. We can't put this down to anything other than the princes. "In 2004, between January and August just 68 women applied to Sandhurst, compared with 86 this year.

Thanks to you all

Performance improvement specialist Maritz reckons that more than a third of UK workers are thanked twice a year or less. About 19% are never thanked.

The research claims that recognition by way of a thank you (National Thank You Day is on 24 November) has a very positive effect on employee morale, productivity and retention. For businesses searching for the most effective way to increase productivity and retain staff - the answer may be as simple as thank you.

When asked how being thanked affected their morale almost all (95%) of those asked said it had a very or quite positive effect, with most rating this as very positive (56%).

About 88% rated the effect on their productivity as very or quite positive.

The results of the Maritz survey reveal that being thanked has a greater impact on women than men but that fewer women than men are thanked.