The view over the City is looking brighter as two major recruiters take aim at unmet recruitment needs in the country's financial capital and move into the neighbourhood. Both Michael Page International and Randstad enjoy big brand clout - nevertheless, their confidence offers a refreshing antidote boost to the doom mongering and navel gazing under way at the moment.

As we said in this column on 17 October, recruiters should not take criticism from the Association for Consultancy and Engineering lying down. And they aren't. (See p5.) We would recommend that a frank, open and mutually respectful discussion be organised to lay the groundwork for improved working relationships between recruiters and employers. First of all, some intensive listening must take place - along with the willingness to co-operate. The flurry of the 2012 Olympics, and the other massive construction projects around the UK, demand a climate that encourages great work.