Happy Valentine's Day and welcome to the second edition of VEM’s Perceptions. And thanks to all those keen readers who gave us such excellent feedback on our first issue.
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TopTen
In this issue, VEM's Director of Research, David Perry, has dusted off his old crystal ball and predicted the top 10 investor relations issues for 2005. Let us know if our top 10 matches yours.

Feature Article
Perception studies are now accepted internationally as a core tool of investor and stakeholder strategy planning. Richard Finlayson, VEM's Sydney GM, looks at the options and everything you've wanted to know...but were too afraid to ask.

In the interactive knowledge department, VEM has an exciting forthcoming lunch forum planned to explore the legal exposure of today's investor relations officers (IROs) and corporate affairs managers (see box opposite). And finally, if you think your Australian corporate knowledge is up to the test, have a crack at our quiz.

Until next time...

Mary Beth Bauer
Managing Director

PS: I hope VEM's not your only Valentine today but if so...you're probably an IRO, not appreciated enough and often misunderstood!