Welcome to 2012! I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and a good break. We all need time to clear our heads and get clarity to plan both personally and professionally. I love the new year and the clean slate it brings. And I like to make resolutions, the improvement ones rather than the "giving up" ones – they're so much easier to keep.
This issue looks at resolutions to make your business even better and we have called on experts to help: Clive Rich, who has brokered deals for Sony, Apple and the BBC, says that the UK economy could be 10 per cent better off if leaders sharpened their negotiating skills – click here as he explains how to improve. Britain's Best-Connected Woman, Carole Stone, gives her 10-point plan for better networking and Kevin Murray, chairman of Bell Pottinger, talks about how communication is the secret of great leadership.
We discuss the five technology trends to embrace this year to keep your business nimble and competitive and we report on non-executive directors – how to find the right one and how to become one.
Finally, I hope you enjoy our interview with cover star Jacqueline Gold. She talks candidly about Ann Summers, how she has kept focus even when facing horrific personal experiences and why she thinks a recession can be the perfect time to relaunch and reassess.
I hope you enjoy this issue and I wish you all a very, happy, healthy and prosperous new year.