Britain would never leave the EU. Donald Trump could never become President of America. Great British Bake Off would forever be a staple of BBC One, the passing of the timeless David Bowie and Lemmy of Motorhead, icons Muhammad Ali and Prince to highlight a small selection of unexpected events.  What else that is unexpected lies ahead in 2016? Our reaction to each of these and other events we have met with surprise, downright incredulity and sadness tinged with the fondness.  I would suspect the biggest shock of 2016, whether you were up all night following the elections, or decided just to wait and see and went to bed, was on the morning of the 9th November, and I don’t doubt you checked and double checked the news – Donald J Trump had actually been elected as the most powerful man on the planet.

After the initial shock, as the majority of his policies made us think ‘wow imagine if he actually became President of the US of A’ have all of a sudden become a stark reality. The world watched as many Americans wept at the realisation of how many among them still harboured support for opinions of racism and misogyny. Unexpected was the volume of votes from white women, for Mr Trump despite the evidence seen of him objectifying and assaulting women. Baffling that how this population can favour such a man rather than choosing the first female President.

We observe with the interest the impact of Trump’s appointment: protectionist trade agendas; the restricted movement of labour across national boundaries with a focus on those that will be deported and blocked from entering the USA; personal safety for those who will be targeted by racists because of the colour of the skin or religion. Even in the first week of Trump’s Presidency, there has been a rise in hate crimes, and people are panicking. Should they stay and hope the conflict situation fades, or should they leave America? Indeed, hours after Trump was elected, the Canadian immigration website crashed as people made plans to flee northwards. Citizens who were settled in America are worried wondering what they do now.

However, the initial shock is over and Trump’s presidency is beginning and now the world adjusts to the change and it (the world) will have to embrace the change that is afoot to understand how to work with USA and its new leader to the benefit of all. As in the world around us change will often take place in the work place – change that can be driven by you or borne of events outside your control. Either way we as career advisors seek to provide the expert guidance to your career development. This can take the shape of short term solutions borne of a needs must situation or long term career planning. Either way we seek to be the trusted advisor and wise counsel to support the journey to your ideal career, steering you through any hiccups you may encounter, until you achieve that which you set out to do. We are on hand to assist and we look forward to hearing from you

Rej Abraham Managing Director