Every year on this day after Labor Day I comment on the launchof the new business year. In many respects the rhythm ofbusiness activity begins today as we are all renewed thanks tosummer vacations and recharging of batteries, and are ready for afinal push to close the books on 2014 and begin, in earnest, toplan for the next calendar year.

It is also a good time to take stock of hiring trends andcontemplate organizational needs to maximize performance or, forprofessionals themselves, to assess one's own career status. This new business year begins with an increasingly frothyrecruiting environment. The buyer's market that followed the greatrecession has given way to active hiring across the board, and Iexpect that this year, and clear through 2015, will continue arobust recruiting trend.

Hot spots include development, the best of investment talentwith sharp underwriting skills, and asset management to address theneed to manage through an increasingly competitive, and risky,environment as markets begin to overheat. All in all, the newbusiness year looks very, very promising.