On behalf of the "Bishopsgate Blog , my family and I, may we wish you one and all a Happy New Year 2010. 

We followed the fireworks in Sydney, Australia, with interest. You Australian's sure know how to do fireworks displays.  However, the fireworks this year in Hong Kong came a close second.

Here in " Hockeyville", Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, there were no public displays of fireworks. 

 I however , did observe some couples on the dance floor last evening who were on course for some matrimonial private fireworks. The alcohol was to blame, of course, for nagging partners threatening divorce proceedings.  More crying children and parents will see me in the first tow weeks of January 2010 , in my  law office.

Whilst being officially on holiday, one must look at one's e-mails . A new client contacted me about some legal work from Vietnam and was not too concerned I was on holiday. Another client had some work from Kuwait . 

Bloggers have been requesting information on our holiday and skiing conditions in British Columbia. 

The joys of having a "Blackberry" personal communication device(PDC's).  We lawyers , are addicted to our Blackberry's, so much so, the Courts insist the PCD's are turned off so that pinging noise of a received e-mail does not distract a jury. 

One travels to the airport also with a portable computer. Someone had the audacity to ask me if I had a fax machine this week to send documentation to?  I said no, but "you can send me the draft by e-mail and I will get back to you with my comments". "Do you know of anyone with a telex machine", I said. My point was made.

Social networking is something one either loathes or loves. I myself come within the latter category.  I am a social networking junkie! Much to the disgust of my wife and family who are on holiday too !!!

My favorite sites are Plaxo, Toplinkedin, MySpace, XING, E-cademy, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Although, we are also active blog members of over 200 other online social networking communities. 

Off - line face to face networking is also done to meet potential legal clients. 

Google is in a sense an online library where many people go to find what previously was in found large volumes of Yellow Pages. Like telex machines, Yellow Pages are no longer referred to by potential clients seeking a law firm in 2010.

A lot of business is generated through " personal recommendations. " Old boy type established networking organisations" are thriving. It is no longer what you know but who you know in the City of London Livery Company which matters. 

The old university tie network also is a source of business.  One often is approached by complete strangers who are tie networking fanatics.  In December 2009 , I was approached at one social event  by one individual who said, "I see you attended university of   X  from your 800 year old anniversary  tie you are wearing, may I have a quiet word? I graduated from Christchurch College  in 2003 and  I have a potential client you should see". That potential client turned out to be is a large private bank in The City of London. The potential client became one's client before Christmas. 

In a previous Blog posting, I mentioned the book by Penny Power called " Like Me, Know Me, Follow Me".  Penny and her husband Thomas, founded E-cademy 12 years ago and are both experts in the area of how one must do business in 2010. 

Social Networking relies upon both the width and depth of your network.  In 2010, companies, organisations and individuals, who embrace Social Networking will have a prosperous New Year, despite the recession. 

The effort one puts into social networking is proportionate to the business one will receive. 

From Canada, I wish you one and all a Happy New Year. " "Blog on into 2010. " Enjoy the public holiday, wherever in the world you might be today.