Every client in every industry is feeling the full frontal hit of the economic crisis. I was in Beijing last week and the impact is truly global. Public relations professionals from as far afield as Nigeria to Poland, Peru to China, Australia to Turkey all bemoaned the downturn.

It’s going to be a nasty new year.

But not for undertakers. My son goes to pre-school and a fellow parent manages a funeral parlour. Good times and bad people die. And their loved ones want to send them off in style.

Beer companies also see an upturn in sales during economic downturns. Seems we like to lubricate ourselves against ignominies while we’re above ground.

These two industries got me thinking. What other businesses are recession-proof?