Now if proof were ever needed that the surveys companies now commission in order to garner good coverage in the press do indeed provide a valuable service, consider the following.

I, and I know many like me, have questioned the extraordinary increase in company-commissioned surveys that in recent years have claimed to reveal some otherwise undiscovered trait of human conduct and its significance in the workplace.

Some about five per cent are genuinely useful and informative; others meanwhile ask questions like: "If your boss hits you with an axe, will it hurt?"

The answers of those surveyed are then analysed and presented amid much fanfare, usually along the lines of "Employees admit to long term suffering and depression when axed by their employer".

You see, it's that easy. But the survey that was reported on by the Press Association takes that banality to a new level.

I won't name the company involved because, clearly, that's just what they want, but one of its most significant findings was and I kid you not: "male directors look favourably on female staff wearing very short skirts."

And just in case the full implications of these findings swept over your head, I'll repeat them one more time: "male directors look favourably on female staff wearing very short skirts."

Now maybe it's me and maybe I have been living in a cave for the last 40 years, but isn't that a bit like saying 'sex sells' as if it were some new, miracle cure?

Whatever, it's certainly opened my eyes. Personally, I've always advised businesswomen with that old axiom "If you want to get ahead, get a boilersuit".

On a similar note, there was an interesting report in one of the trade papers about a new survey which did make me sit up and take notice.

According to a report by Benchmark Research (which I will name because its findings are relevant), approximately £592 million is wasted each year on poorly targeted press releases.

This figure was apparently arrived at by setting the number of press releases journalists claim to ignore against the amount estimated to be spent on press releases in the UK.

Brilliant I'd say, because it shows quite clearly just how bad the PR industry currently is at providing a decent service to its clients.

Of course, there are some terrific public relations firms/individuals, but they are most definitely in the minority.

The vast majority couldn't even organise a 'very pleasant evening in a brewery' and yes, I'm paraphrasing.

So if you are considering hiring the services of some PR guru, think very carefully before you sign on any dotted line.

Or some of your hard earned profit could find itself contributing towards next year's £600 million waste pile.