Well must admit we do put on a great firework display here in the UK, though these days it is planned close to the Houses of Parliament not inside it. Only seems like yesterday we were looking at firework displays around the world marking the year 2,000 and here we are 12 years later in the blink of an eye, at the start 2012.

Talking about the passage of time, Samoa has just advanced it's clocks a complete day, to bring it more in line with trading partners in the Asian region, a neat trick that makes sense and I can't help feeling that this strategy somehow holds the answer to the current global financial crisis.

We can either fast forward out of the mess we are in, or maybe go back, back to a better time and then do things differently.The Tardis solution as it would become known in economic circles. The box is over there and I am over here!

There will no doubt be a reasonable element of doom and gloom around this year this year but in the UK we have the awesome prospect of the Olympics looming and if we don't come out of it with a reasonable medal haul, the Tardis strategy might work here as well.

Talking about the Olympics, the Greeks did a great job with the first one which was a success without the current commercial pressures but what has happened to them since?

Anyone that has not been to the Greek Islands should get over there and spend a few dollars. So many islands to see, such hospitable people and so many contrasts. If you visited the place you might be a little more comfortable watching a lot of european aid pouring into an economic black hole.

I have a personal collection of around 25 islands visited and have a skill, potentially unique in the UK, gained from the time spent there. Sensible guesses on an email to editor@newbusiness.co.uk [1] and keep it clean guys.

It is customary at this time of year to make a few predictions so here goes.

• UK inflation carries on dropping and with a bit of luck might end up just double the  target level of 2% by the end of the year
• Unemployment keeps rising as Public sector cuts still take place and the High Street is being reshaped by the internet
• The UK work force will become more and more mobile and the incidence of companies and employees working from home will increase and inolve the "Cloud". If you don't know by now what the Cloud is, you are not keeping up with the game.
• Fund managers are having a tough time in these markets and if you are thinking " why should I care?" they may be looking after your pension and on average lost 5% in 2011. Next year promises to be more of  the same so I think the average fund manager will not make money in 2012.
• More individuals will get fed up with their money earning nothing on deposit and try self investing for the first time.
• Gold will shine (if only on the chests of Olympic winners)
• The Euro will stay a shell shocked currency.
• Global debt will still be one of the major economic talking points of 2012.
• Many Entrepreneurs will be currently working on ideas and plans that will ultimately turn them into millionaires after a lot of soul searching and hard work. There is no current negative economic environment this early in 2012 so go for it, thousands of other will be.

Stay lucky