Money Talks

Ellen Roseman: How To Fix OAS

2012-02-23T19:07:43Z

Prime Minister Stephen Harper set off an alarm last month, when he suggested that Canada couldn't afford to pay Old Age Security benefits for boomers who will be retiring in the next 20 years.

Government finance experts were aghast. They wanted to know why Harper was creating a crisis when none existed before.

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The federal and provincial governments worked together to strengthen the Canada Pension Plan for future needs. They looked at the sustainability of Old Age Security at the same time.

No one anticipated any problems. The cost of paying benefits to those over 65 would go up temporarily, but the government could get through it. There was no need to lift the eligibility age to 67.

I think it's irresponsible of Harper to raise the issue now, just after receiving a majority mandate. Nothing was said during the campaign. Canadians would have liked to know before casting their votes.

Moreover, he's preparing to introduce measures in the federal budget to be tabled in March. That's too early to start phasing in what could be a long-term restructuring of the retirement income system.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tried to downplay the urgency by emphasizing that nothing would change until 2020 at the earliest. But a spokesman later said the minister hadn't revealed a timeline.

Old Age Security is already income-tested. If you're an affluent senior with a net income of more than $69,562, you start getting your benefits taxed back. You lose all your benefits once your income hits $112,772.

As an alternative to raising the eligibility age to 67, why doesn't the government change the tax rules for Canadians who are still working after 65 or still running their own businesses?

Here are a few solutions: Phase in the clawback at a lower income level. Don't adjust the clawback income levels for inflation each year. Use household income to determine the clawback, not individual income.

I think it's too soon to talk about across-the-board cuts for everyone. What about the people living on corporate or provincial benefits that are cut off at age 65? How will they fill the gap?

The age change could cost provincial governments millions of dollars. They're upset and they're telling Harper to rethink his plan. No one gains if there's a massive downloading of costs onto the provinces.

I'd like to see the federal government work harder to trim benefits for seniors who don't need them and keep them in place for those who do. That could help tame the cost of boomer retirements.

Kira Vermond: Humour on the job

2012-02-08T15:45:43Z

Hey, have you heard the one about the employee with a great sense of humour?

Maybe he's on to something. Numerous surveys and studies tell us a good sense of humour is an asset on the job.

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Not only does a good laugh reduce stress, but some experts say it enhances leadership skills and communication. And even gives creativity and productivity a boost.

Humour might even help you keep a job. Just recently a Canadian survey from Accountemps revealed that 73 percent of chief financial officers said that an employee's sense of humour is important for fitting into the company's corporate culture. And these are bean-counters we're talking about.

Other surveys tell us that nearly all of us prefer to work with someone who makes us laugh. A lot of us even think funny people do a better job than more serious coworkers.

Some companies are taking humour to heart. Take WestJet, the Canadian airline. Pilots have been known to crack jokes over the intercom before taking to the skies. Hey, it's a great way to alleviate fears for those white-knuckled fliers.

Now, no one is saying that you've got to become a stand-up comedian to get ahead at work. That's because humour can be boiled down to two things: Having a positive attitude and not taking yourself so seriously.

At the same time, people who study humour tell us that some forms of it are more appropriate for the workplace than others.

For instance, bonding humour is all about making other people feel at ease. You tell jokes, lighten the mood and enjoy a bit of banter. Coworkers feel closer when they share inside jokes.

Then there's self-enhancing humour. You see the world and its tribulations as funny so you don't sweat the small stuff. Did you send a "reply all" email by mistake? You're the first one to send a second email joking about your error. People like this, are considered non-threatening and generally liked.

And don't forget self-deprecating humour. Make yourself the butt of your own jokes, and you can cut tension in no time. But just don't do it too often or people start to notice all your faults.

But the big no-no? Stay away from humour that puts other people down. Sure, you might find it funny that your boss is wearing plaid pants. But joking about his quirky fashion sense could put you on the path to a pink slip.

And nobody would find humour in that.

Ellen Roseman: Beware of internet scams

2012-02-01T16:31:19Z

You get an email from your bank, saying your account has been compromised. Do you clink a link to get more information?

No way. The email may be from a fraudster and the link may lead to a phony website, where you're sharing confidential data with someone who can raid your bank account.

Welcome to email phishing (spelled with a PH), also known as brand spoofing...

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Someone throws out bait with the hopes that while most people will ignore it, a few will be tempted into biting.

Phony bank emails are old news. But there are many other fraudulent ways to part you from your money.

You get an email, or more likely a call, from someone claiming to be from Microsoft. Your system is about to crash, you're told, because of a virus or malicious software.

So, you give this person your passwords to get remote access to your computer and fix the software. You also pay for the work with a credit card number.

Who falls for this scam? I was surprised to hear from a few victims after I did a column in the Toronto Star. Many were older people, who felt uneasy about computer security. They wanted reassurance from a trusted source.

I also wrote about the so-called emergency scam. You get an email from a friend or relative who's in trouble in a foreign country and needs you to send money by wire immediately to get home again.

The person I interviewed had 2,000 contacts in her Yahoo account. She found, to her shock, that two friends had wired money to her in Valencia, Spain, where she was supposedly trapped. The crime paid off for the impersonators.

Big email providers, such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, are backing a new effort to reduce phishing emails by using the equivalent of digital signatures to help identify a message's sender.

Until that happens, you can minimize phishing incidents by being more suspicious. Always try to verify someone's identity before clicking a link or sending money.

Call the company or the person who supposedly sent you an email. Criminals haven't figured out a way of spoofing a phone number, at least not yet, says Christopher Elliott, author of Scammed.

Finally, never wire money to a stranger by Western Union or MoneyGram, since there's no way to get it back once it's gone. Use a credit card instead, since you're protected from fraud and you can file a dispute about a bogus charge.

Kira Vermond: The good, the bad and the ugly-Performance Reviews

2012-01-26T18:00:04Z

A pat on the back, or a slap on the wrist? Is that how your boss manages you?

It can be tough to know how well you're doing at your job day to day. Some managers wait to spill the beans until that all important performance review at the end of the year. That's when you sit down and find out if your work makes the grade.

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And what if it doesn't? What if you discover you're performing poorly? Well, it could be time to start looking for another job. But there's something else to consider. In some of these situations, the problem isn't actually the employee. The problem can be found in the performance standards. Or the lack of them.

In other words, when people fail to live up to performance standards at work, it's often because they don't know what the expectations are. Nobody ever told them.

So how does a company formalize the process so employees know what job they're doing and how to do it well?

First things first. Employees need to know the basics. What are their tasks and responsibilities? How long should a job take? What results are their bosses looking for?

And companies can't forget to mention why these goals are important, for the employee too. Because we all want to know, "what's in it for me?" The answer might be as simple as "meet deadlines, get promoted."

All of this needs to be put in writing of course.

Here's one more thing to consider. In order to exceed expectations, some people need examples of what makes a good employee great.

So if someone in the office writes stellar reports, other employees should read one. That way they know what a star employee delivers. Or if a worker is amazing at offering customer service, have struggling employees see her in action. Sometimes that's all it takes to turn things around.

Or maybe not. Because if an employee is truly a bad fit for the job, performance reviews can only help so much.

Ellen Roseman: How to protect investors

2012-01-26T17:32:10Z

The Supreme Court of Canada said a national securities regulator would be unconstitutional. The decision came out late last year.

I'm not terribly disappointed. The United States had a national securities regulator for decades, but fraudster Bernard Madoff still pulled off the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.

So, how do we improve the outcomes for Canadians who save and invest their money? How do we ensure they get redress when their trust is abused?

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Litigation is too expensive for most people. The costs far outweigh the amount at stake, especially since Canadian courts don't award punitive damages.

For everyone else, the alternative is informal mediation. About 15 years ago, the federal government set up an ombudsman system for banking complaints.

Each bank has its own ombudsman. There's also a higher-level ombudsman, which can investigate and get settlements for clients when the bank says no.

Later, the ombudsman took on investment complaints. It now works with all of Canada's investment dealers, who have to join and pay for the office's operations.

The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments was never popular with Canada's big banks and investment dealers. They don't like being told they made mistakes and they have to pay up.

After the 2008 stock market collapse, the ombudsman got a flood of complaints and hired more investigators. Some big banks didn't like the higher costs. Nor did they like the method used to calculate an individual's investment losses.

Royal Bank of Canada pulled out and hired its own ombudsman for banking complaints in 2008. TD Banking Group followed suit in 2011. They're still with OBSI for investment complaints, but they would leave in a minute if they could.

The federal government has said nothing about these two embarrassing defections. It could force the banks into staying with the ombudsman it set up 15 years ago, but hasn't done so.

OBSI is in a difficult position. At the end of December, it had 15 investment complaints that member firms were refusing to resolve. The clients were in limbo. Things were at a stalemate.

The federal government should step in to resolve the impasse with the big banks. Setting up a national securities regulator is outside its grasp, but taming the big banks is well within its powers.

The government said no in the 1990s when the banks wanted to merge with each other. Let's see it show the same leadership today.

Kira Vermond: Resolutions for Work

2012-01-17T19:50:43Z

New Year, new you. At least that's what you're shooting for in 2012 at your workplace. This is the year that you're going to ditch your wallflower ways, speak up in meetings and take the initiative.

]]> The goal? To stand out at work.

And there's no better time than the present to pull it off. Although employment in Canada is rising, it's a slow process. And some employers are still feeling the pressure to do more with less. So when management starts looking at what and who needs to go, you never want them to look at your name and say, "Who's that?"

Instead, they should be saying, "This employee is valuable. He stays."

But what's the best way to become visible? Here are a few ideas.

Get verbal. In other words, when there's the opportunity to be a presenter, grab it. There's no better way to be noticed than to literally stand there for 30 minutes in front of a group of people and talk. And you're not just gabbing either. You're giving information. That instantly makes you the expert.

No one expects an introvert to suddenly want to present at a large conference. That's too nerve-wracking. So maybe you want to start small. Say, offer to tell your colleagues about the new company kitchen rules. Just put yourself out there.

The same goes for meetings. If you have an idea, speak up. Because chances are someone else at that table has the same idea but is too fearful to say it out loud.

Finally, if you really want to stand out, be the kind of employee everybody wants to be around. Not only do you know your coworkers' names, you know their kids' names. And do you complain non-stop about the company? Nope. You come up with solutions.

If you do decide to take the initiative and find a few answers to problems that have been plaguing the company for years, draft them in writing and talk to your boss during a slower period. Not when deadlines loom.

And even if at first she's not receptive, chin up. The company is probably not going to jump on every idea you have, but you are showing people that you're willing to start the conversation about making things better.

And that willingness to speak and listen is a surefire way to stand out not just in 2012, but any year.

Ellen Roseman: Air Miles-Use them or lose them!

2012-01-06T22:12:18Z

If you're collecting Air Miles, you now have only five years to use them. And if you don't redeem in time, you'll lose them.

]]> This new policy was announced on Dec. 28 of last year and went into effect on Dec. 31. How's that for advance notice?

I'm talking about Canada's biggest loyalty program, which claims to be on the customer's side. But with the policy of date stamping Air Miles, the company shows its loyalty to investors and corporate partners.

Investors in publicly-traded companies don't like to see unused points piling up for years without being cashed in for merchandise or travel. It's a liability that can't be quantified in financial reports.

That's why Aeroplan, the loyalty program spun off by Air Canada, adopted a seven-year time limit for its reward points in 2007. WestJet's points expire in five years. Now Air Miles points do too.

Loyalty plans also have rules to ensure you stay active. Air Miles requires at least one transaction every two years. Aeroplan requires one transaction every year. Otherwise, your points will be zapped.

Frequent activity makes their corporate partners happy. Companies want to see people shopping and redeeming regularly, not hoarding their rewards points.

So, if you're waiting for the ideal time to take a round-the-world trip, prepare to take it sooner rather than later. Your rewards points may not last until your retirement.

Here's some advice if you belong to any loyalty plans, including those run by department stores, oil companies and credit cards.

First, read the rules. Do your reward points expire? Is there an activity requirement? If you don't understand how the plan works, call and ask questions.

Second, get into the habit of checking your account status. Have all your eligible purchases resulted in points? If not, track them down and get them credited.

Third, get online access to your account. Don't depend on statements to come in the mail. If you're inactive or you move, you won't get mail. Your points could disappear without notification.

Fourth, check the website to find any news or rule updates that may affect you. Loyalty plans make frequent changes, so stay informed.

I've heard too many horror stories about people losing points they collected for years. Don't join that unfortunate group. Pay attention to your account. Inattention can lead to loss.

I'm Ellen Roseman.

Kira Vermond: New Year's resolutions

2011-12-23T21:18:06Z

Sure, Hanukkah has begun and Christmas is still a few days away, so it feels a little early to fast forward to the New Year.

But that's exactly what you've got to do if your resolution is "find another job."

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And if it is? You're not the only one. Along with losing weight and getting in shape, ditching an old job for a new one ranks up there as one of the most popular resolutions around.

In fact, last year a survey in the U.S. revealed that a whopping 84 percent of people who work, said they planned to look for new employment elsewhere.

It's no surprise, really. Between wage freezes, slashed bonuses and feeling pressured to do more work with fewer resources, the grass seems greener elsewhere.

So what's the best way to turn a resolution into reality? As I mentioned before, start thinking ahead now - not on January first. That's because experts who study goal-setting tell us New Year's resolutions are more likely to succeed if we start planning them in December.

When things start to slow down next week at work, take a few moments and set some achievable goals. Maybe that's to go to three networking shindigs by the end of February. Or, update your resume by January 15.

That's right. You're breaking your task down into smaller chunks.

So rather than set a big, vague goal like: get a job in 2012, you're slicing it up into specific, concrete actions.

Write them down and give yourself a deadline.

So where do you start? Again, when things are slower, it's a perfect time to update your resume. Or you can build your online presence. Maybe that means updating your Linked In profile. Or maybe it means starting a blog, or making new connections with people in your industry via Twitter. You're looking for ways to uncover hidden job opportunities.

Just don't do any of this at work.

Whatever your job resolutions are, the key is to stay positive. In fact, write that in as one of your goals. Because if you've got the right attitude, you'll be much more likely to land a new job in 2012.

And then next year, you can focus on that weight loss resolution again.

Ellen Roseman: Getting away from winter on the cheap

2011-12-16T18:57:28Z

The cold weather is getting you down. You want to escape to a warm place, but you want to keep costs in line. So, how can you save money on travel?

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One way is to plan ahead and use your reward points. But the way I prefer, since I'm not good at advance planning, is to aim for flexibility.

In early January, my husband and I will fly to Florida on Canjet, a charter airline, for $22 each. After taxes, of course, the return fare is $343, but it's still a good deal. A comparable Air Canada flight is $117 more.

We leave Toronto on a Monday night, arriving at Fort Lauderdale at 10 p.m., and come back the following Monday night, arriving at 1.45 a.m. Not the most convenient times, but acceptable for bargain hounds.

We plan to stay at a private condo apartment that is rented out to tourists. That option is less expensive than a hotel and offers more space as well, including a kitchen for meals.

So, where do you find these apartments? You search for listings at websites that specialize in this area, such as HomeAway.com and VRBO.com, which stands for Vacation Rentals by Owner.

Suppose you prefer the safety and convenience of a well-known hotel chain. Again, there are websites that help you find hotel markdowns and selloffs.

Two of the best-known are Priceline.com and Hotwire.com.

These websites keep you in the dark about the name of the hotel until after you pay. But they let you specify the geographic area and the quality rating (from one to five stars). So, your destination isn't too much of a mystery.

To keep up with travel bargains, you can get email alerts from websites that track them, such as Expedia and Travelocity. This gives you a head start on arranging your trip before the special prices are gone.

Another interesting website, TravelZoo, aggregates and publishes a host of last-minute deals every day. It has a Canadian edition you can follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't forget the group buying sites, such as Groupon, Dealfind and LivingSocial. They also have travel deals that expire if you don't jump onto them right away.

So, you can find a hot winter travel deal if you stay flexible and avoid the times when most people travel, such as weekends and March break. By being spontaneous and waiting until the last minute, you can save a bundle.

Kira Vermond: Gift Giving At Work

2011-12-08T20:17:41Z

To gift, or not to gift? That's the question many of us are asking ourselves at this time of year. Especially when it comes to the workplace.

After all, there's a lot to consider. Who gets a mug? Are gift certificates okay? Should you buy a bottle of vintage port for the boss, or is that overkill?

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After all, there's a lot to consider. Who gets a mug? Are gift certificates okay? Should you buy a bottle of vintage port for the boss, or is that overkill?

And, if you are the boss, you have to think about whether your employees will have to pay tax on any gift you give them. That's right. Some presents present a tax issue because they're deemed part of a person's income.

In fact, gifts fall under three categories: cash, near-cash and non-cash.

For the lucky people who receive a cash bonus this month, it's a no brainer. They have to pay tax on that money.

But what if your employer gives out gift cards instead this year? That's a safe bet, right? Well, guess what? They' re considered near-cash. So they're taxable too. In other words, anything that can be easily converted to cash, such as gift certificates, securities, stock, or even precious metals, like gold, is taxable.

Non-cash gifts seem like the way to go. A new laptop. A framed poster. Whatever. But, there's a caveat. Employees may receive up to $500 in non-cash gifts in a year. Anything above this amount is, yes, taxable. Although little gifts with a nominal value don't count.

Taxes. That's just one of the gifting quagmires to think about. But there are others too. So what should you know before exchanging gifts at work?

Number one. Know the company policy. The larger the employer, the more likely it is it will have one.

Number two. Spend less, not more. This is not to say that you have to find your inner Scrooge. But if you go overboard on gifts, there's a good chance your recipient will feel uncomfortable.

This rule goes double for the boss. You don't want to be seen as sucking up.

And number three. If someone gives you a gift and you hadn't planned to give them one, you don't have to drop everything and run to the mall at lunch. Instead, you can either keep a stash of random gifts in your desk, or a stash of cards.

Because a handwritten thank-you card is appreciated at any time of the year.

Ellen Roseman: How to get through to big companies

2011-11-30T13:32:13Z

If you have a consumer problem, how do you get through to a decision-maker at a large corporation?

In my experience, many executives try to insulate themselves from public contact. They outsource customer service to call centres, which follow company policies but never challenge them. ]]>
In my experience, many executives try to insulate themselves from public contact. They outsource customer service to call centres, which follow company policies but never challenge them.

I recently helped a grieving mother gain access to her late son's Facebook memorial page. She was locked out, since she wasn't his Facebook friend before he died, and wanted to share memories with his network.

She tried to call the company, based in Palo Alto, Calif. She sent emails and online request forms. She even wrote to founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg through his Facebook page.

She never heard back from Zuckerberg or in fact, any real people. All she received were many emails, signed by The Facebook Team or Harvey in User Operations (no last name), denying access.

I worked with Facebook's Toronto public relations firm to unlock her son's account. Just 25, he'd died working on power lines in Alberta in September. His mom didn't need the aggravation.

So, how can you reach a decision maker at a large company? Going to the media helps, but there are other outreach strategies you can try.

Do a Google search for the company you want to contact. Look for phone numbers or email addresses that don't put you through to the customer service department. Try the media relations people.
Check Twitter and Facebook. Many companies use social media to communicate with customers and to monitor complaints. Twitter is effective if you have lots of followers or your message is retweeted by someone with lots of followers.
Try YouTube. One video that went viral was Canadian musician Dave Carroll's famous YouTube series, "United Breaks Guitars." Find a camera or smart phone that lets you make videos.
Check out Get Human.com, a U.S. website that gives you tips on contacting companies that don't want to be contacted.
Check out Consumerist.com, another U.S. website that tries to help outsiders get access to the inside ranks of corporations.

At my own blog, Ellenroseman.com, consumers write about their bad experiences with Canadian companies. Some have tips to share and try to help others profit from their hard-won successes.

There's also the CBC, which has some excellent consumer shows that can provide information and connections. The TV show, Marketplace, starts again in January. Go Public with Kathy Tomlinson airs on CBCNN.

I wish you luck getting in touch with companies and breaking free from their call centres.

Kira Vermond: Office etiquette can be treacherous

2011-11-23T21:39:38Z

You walk into your company washroom one day and your co-worker's there. She's got a toothbrush in one hand, a tube of paste in the other. and she's spitting into the sink.

Brushing teeth at work. Good oral hygiene? Or an office faux pas?

Anyone who has tried to wade through the murky waters of business etiquette can tell you that knowing right from wrong, isn't always easy.

]]> You walk into your company washroom one day and your co-worker's there. She's got a toothbrush in one hand, a tube of paste in the other. and she's spitting into the sink.

Brushing teeth at work. Good oral hygiene? Or an office faux pas?

Anyone who has tried to wade through the murky waters of business etiquette can tell you that knowing right from wrong, isn't always easy. Do you wear jeans on business casual days? Or kakis? Do you shake a client's hand after a meeting, or only before it starts?

But when it comes to hygiene at the workplace, etiquette can get even trickier.

Hey, what one person calls cleanliness, another calls foul.

Take clipping your nails at your desk. It's been known to happen. And surveys tell us some people think it's pretty gross.

But what's worse? Not washing your hands after using the toilet. and then shaking someone's hand.

So there's always a place for some personal care while at work.

The trick is knowing where the line is drawn. And that line does seem to be getting pushed around a bit these days. More of us are brushing our hair, washing our faces, putting on deodorant, shaving and, yes, brushing our teeth while on the job. Some companies even require that employees pull out a toothbrush before meeting a client.

There's a good reason for all of this. We're spending more time either at work, or commuting to work. So the office washroom? It becomes our home-away-from-home bathroom.

Still, we call it "personal care" for a reason. It's supposed to be private. So what should you know before pulling out the tweezers?

Number one: Get gussied up away from people. That means brushing hair or putting on deodorant in the washroom, not in your cubical.

The same goes for makeup. That's because using cosmetics is actually one of the reasons why women's workspaces have three to four times the number of bacteria in, on, and around their desks than men's.

Number two: If you don't feel comfortable brushing your teeth at work, drink water, or pop a mint. Your co-workers will thank you.

Number three: Make sure you clean up after yourself. Place a paper towel beside the sink and rest your toothbrush there. Use plenty of water to rinse away your spit. And if you have to, wipe out the sink.

Ultimately, hygiene etiquette is dictated by corporate culture. If everyone else is doing it, it's okay for you too.

But if you're the lone brusher? Just do the job quick - and leave the floss at home.

Roseman: Credit education week asks the right questions

2011-11-16T13:22:06Z

This is Credit Education Week, which is holding many events across Canada. It's sponsored by Credit Canada, a non-profit counselling service, and Capital One, a credit card issuer.

Author and TV host Gail Vaz-Oxlade wants to spoil the party. Angry to see credit cards with big spending limits handed out to young people, she thinks you should write to your MP about passing laws to curb irresponsible lending.

]]> This is Credit Education Week, which is holding many events across Canada. It's sponsored by Credit Canada, a non-profit counselling service, and Capital One, a credit card issuer.

In a Toronto Star interview, she talked about a 21-year-old making $24,000 a year who was given a credit card with a $15,000 limit by a major bank. How did this person qualify for so much credit?

Vaz-Oxlade made a name for herself on a TV show, Til' Debt Do Us Part, where she rescued couples who overspent. Her new show, Princess, focuses on indebted young women.

She's urging Canadians to stop using credit cards and use cash during Credit Education Week. The social media campaign, waged at her blog and on Facebook, is called School Lenders. Catch the double entendre?

This reminds me of a recent Facebook campaign that put pressure on Americans to close bank accounts and move their money to credit unions. Protesters claimed a victory when Bank of America scrapped plans to adopt a $5 monthly debit card fee.

Canada's banks survived the 2008 credit crunch without requiring big bailouts as the U.S. banks did, but there's still some resentment about their lending practices.

Sensing the discontent, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty passed laws requiring credit card issuers to disclose their interest rates and fees more clearly. He's also banning negative option marketing among financial institutions.

I often hear from readers who dislike some credit card practices. They complain about being forced to upgrade their credit cards and change all their preauthorized payments.

Merchants don't like the move to premium cards, complaining that banks are trying to make more money at their expense.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has released a list, showing what merchants pay for handling transactions on each type of credit card. It hopes people will gravitate toward cards with lower fees for merchants.

Gail Vaz-Oxlade has a different goal. She wants credit card issuers to stop using credit scores as a major factor. This rewards the wrong behaviour, such as paying bills in part rather than in full, she says.

I'm pleased to see a debate about the uses and abuses of credit during Credit Education Week. When the level of indebtedness is reaching record levels, we have to start talking about how to encourage more responsible lending.

Kira Vermond: Success is in the eye of the beholder

2011-11-09T16:45:59Z

What is success? A hefty paycheque? A corner office? For years they were both good indicators that someone was successful.

And why not? As benchmarks go, physical objects work. Especially money. The bigger your stash, the more successful you are compared to everyone else.

But there's an obvious problem here. ]]> What is success? A hefty paycheque? A corner office? For years they were both good indicators that someone was successful.

And why not? As benchmarks go, physical objects work. Especially money. The bigger your stash, the more successful you are compared to everyone else.

But there's an obvious problem here. Let's say you're a thief. A really good one too. In the past five years, you've stolen millions. So, you have a lot of money. But does that mean the rest of us would consider you a success? No. Probably not.

Others look at achievement in terms of whether our work has a positive impact on the world.

It was an idea a British think tank explored a few years ago. Its economists tried to calculate the real value of jobs in terms of how much harm they did to society and the environment.

What did they decide? Bankers destroy eleven dollars of value for every dollar they earn because of the financial damage they've created. Meanwhile, hospital cleaners create fifteen dollars worth of value because they keep patients from becoming sicker.

Using the "positive impact" lens, the person wiping down bathroom sinks is more successful than the banking executive. Interesting thought, but not many of us would think of success in that way.

Now what about work and life balance? Suddenly, that corner office isn't enough. Instead, success is about being at home with the kids by 5:30 and eating dinner together.

Meanwhile, young employees seem to define success in a different way. In a survey conducted by Levi's, ninety-six percent of women in their twenties said that "being independent" was their most important life goal. Last on their list? "Being wealthy."

Now, we are talking about a survey conducted by a jean company, but all these different responses to the question, "what is success" tell us something. Achievement is in the eye of the beholder.

And it's important to remember that. Because as we're exposed to many definitions of personal and professional success, it can become overwhelming. Not only do we need that corner office, we need to spend more time with the family. And not only does our job have to give back to society, we have to do it on our own terms.

In the end, the conflicting definitions result in exhaustion.

So, figure out what success means to you. Write it down. Set goals. And if you meet them, celebrate.

But remember. Over time, definitions change.

Just wait forty years and ask those Gen-Y workers how they feel about wealth. With retirement looming, there's a good chance they'll stick it at the top of their list.

Roseman: E-Readers make a comeback

2011-11-02T11:48:46Z

If you love to read, you probably have an electronic reader or you plan to buy one soon.

I predict this will be a popular gift for the holiday season. ]]> If you love to read, you probably have an electronic reader or you plan to buy one soon. I predict this will be a popular gift for the holiday season.

The Amazon Kindle, introduced in 2007 for $399 (U.S.), was the first mass market product. Using an E Ink electronic paper display, it minimized power use and simulated reading on paper, even in bright sunlight.

I bought a Sony Reader in 2008, paying about $275. Since I didn't have wireless access to the Sony bookstore, I had to download books to my computer first and then to the e-reader.

Things have changed a lot since then. Kobo, a Canadian company owned primarily by Chapters-Indigo, introduced its e-reader 18 months ago. The price has dropped quickly. Today, you can buy a basic Kobo Wi-Fi for $99.99 and a Kobo Touch for $129.99.

The technology has improved, as well. You can get access to online dictionaries in several languages. You can highlight passages for future reference. You can choose from a variety of newspapers and magazines. And with Kobo, you can share your reading experiences with others through social media.

I'm now using a new Sony Reader. My first one died when its on-off switch stopped working. Sony replaced it with the Wi-Fi Touch model at $169, which is the lightest e-reader on the market at 5.9 ounces. The Kobo e-reader Wi-Fi is 7.05 ounces.

An e-reader is amazingly portable. I carry mine in my purse at all times, ready to pull out when I get a few minutes to read.

I save money buying electronic books. With hardcover bestsellers, I can buy them for one-half to one-third of the cost in an e-book format. And if you don't want to buy e-books, you can download them from public libraries.

You also get a choice of font sizes. If your aging eyes find the print too small, you can get a large-print e-book without any corresponding increase in weight.

When e-readers came out, I read many stories predicting that paper and ink books would die. That isn't the case yet. People still like to buy old-fashioned books. You can share them more easily with friends, skim them more quickly and use features, such an index and footnotes, more easily.

Tablet computers also let you read electronically. But they're heavier than e-readers and more expensive. By slashing prices and adding more features, e-reader manufacturers have gained a new lease on life.