As the year comes to a close, I want to thank you all for being part of our Solitaire journey, and for trusting us with your business needs.

All our clients and partners have shown remarkable adaptability and creativity in facing the challenges and opportunities that this year has brought. We are honoured to work with you; empowering you to achieve your goals.

I also want to share with our core value of empathy, which guides everything we do at Solitaire Consulting. Empathy is what sets us apart from our competitors, and what makes us a trusted partner. It is also what makes us a cohesive and supportive team of consultants, where we care for each other’s well-being and growth.

I know this first-hand, because empathy is what helped me get my first big consultancy role about 10 years ago. I was competing against a large and established firm, who had a flashy presentation and a lot of resources. What set me apart from them was my ability to truly empathise with the client. I not only understood their needs, challenges, and goals, but I also effectively demonstrated how I could lead them to success.

The client appreciated my honesty, sincerity, and personal touch, choosing me over the competitor. That was the start of Solitaire Consulting and remains the core around which we build our services.

Empathy is not only important for our work, but also for our personal lives. This year, more than ever, we need to be empathetic towards ourselves and our loved ones, appreciating the moments of joy and connection that we have.

I recently had such a moment last week whilst working with our clients in Zurich. I was joined by my wife, Paula, for the weekend, where we had a wonderful time exploring the city, its Christmas markets and enjoying the festive atmosphere. It was a much-needed break from the stress and routine of work, and a reminder of what really matters in life. 

So, as we celebrate this holiday season, let us remember to be grateful for what we have, and empathetic towards those who are less fortunate. Let us also look forward to the new year, with hope and optimism, and with the confidence that we can overcome the challenges that come our way.