Happiness

We want it! And BUBB has even published a book on it; our country's umbrella sector makes a huge contribution to the well being of our country. How the spirits rise when you realise it is pissing it down and you remembered your brolly. And how delightful it is to see a hated colleague come back from Greggs clutching a soggy pasty because they left their own one on the tube. And in case you think I have got all sloppy and hippy like, let's remember that the American constitution seeks to guarantee life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the right to bear an umbrella. And the Americans have gone out of their way ever since to spread their own brand of joy throughout the world.

Happiness means many things to different people. To some it is a cigar called hamlet. To John Lennon it was warm gun - a sentiment that came back to oh so cruelly mock him 13 years later.

Most people are too serious to consider jollity to be important in an organisation and I doubt that being merry appears in many strategic plans. But it is certainly a key part of my working day, especially when the networking kicks in.