At the start of every year, editors typically offer a forecast of great things to come. But a pared-down outlook in fewer than 300 words, along with a glimpse of our editorial approach, would offer even more value.
Challenge accepted.
The penny dropped as I was reading Good to Great, Jim Collins’ book about well-run organizations. It occurred to me to look to my teammates for inspiration. Collins concludes that “sustained great results depend upon building a culture full of self-disciplined people” and emphasizes the importance of having the right people on the bus before figuring out where to drive it.
I might add to Collins’ premise that the right people also need to be self-motivated—a trait so movingly demonstrated by our managing editor, Brooke Smith, an avid runner who completed 46 races in 2012. That singular focus is typified in the way she fine-tunes every feature in this magazine.
Now that’s commitment. There’s a powerful dynamic when you work with competent, creative people who also have the fortitude to align their needs with the strategic focus. They’re naturally wired to take disciplined action.
After six months at the helm of Benefits Canada, I’ve learned that while change happens at a snail’s pace in the pension industry, the issues remain robust and the discourse is dynamic. In keeping with this tendency, we’re making incremental yet effective changes designed to serve you better. This year, look forward to in-depth coverage of trends, as well as analyses and innovative ways to unpack salient topics.
Starting with this issue, the back page is now called Breakdown. This issue, it focuses on baby boomers, a group (born between 1946 and 1966) that represents the largest proportion of the population in Canada than any other country. Boomers have redefined middle age and promise to reimagine retirement.
Finally, I’d like to thank our advisory board for its ongoing support and for helping Benefits Canada maintain a pulse on the industry.
Happy New Year and happy reading!