Boomers on the Hunt for the Perfect Retirement Spot
Posted: February 16, 2012 at 5:27 pm
“The Boomer” is a column written for adults nearing retirement age and those already in their “golden years.” It will also promote reader interaction by posting e-mail responses and answering reader questions. E-mail your questions or topic ideas to thefoxboomer@gmail.com.
When I was a kid we spent many Easter vacations at my aunt’s house in Cocoa Beach, Fla. We would pack up the station wagon, fill the cooler with cold drinks and sandwiches and head south on I-95.
The nearly-20-hour drive didn’t bother me because I knew it would be worth it: warm weather and sandy beaches would be my playground for the week. Now, as I approach my 62nd birthday and the temperature continues to drop outside, I find myself thinking a lot about those childhood vacations to the Sunshine State. Wouldn't that be a great place to retire?
When it comes to picking a retirement destination, boomers can’t make the decision solely based on weather. Other factors like affordability, access to transportation and walkability, housing and activities should also come into play.
According to a survey released this month by the Consumer Federation of the Southeast.(http://consumerfederationse.com/2012/02/01/new-poll-shows-what-baby-boomers-want/), boomers are increasingly looking to relocate when they leave the workforce, and their decision on where to settle will impact not only on their finances, but also the communities they decide to join.
I spoke with Ron Sachs, spokesman for the Consumer Federation of the Southeast and asked him what baby boomers need to know about picking a retirement location. Here is what he had to say:
Boomer: With thousands of baby boomers retiring every day, what do you find is the most important consideration they take into account on where to retire?
Sach: Baby boomers are going to be a much more active generation than any generation that retired before them. Our survey that was conducted by Mason Dixon shows that boomers that are planning to relocate seek a good climate year round, affordable housing, low taxes, quality and affordable healthcare and a lot of availability of outdoor recreational activities.
Boomer: What should factors should baby boomers consider when looking at moving into a retirement community?
Sachs: Baby boomers are going to be looking for communities that are not too large; urban metropolitan areas that still have a small-city quality and feel to them. Places in the neighborhood of 200,000 to 500,000 residents are going to be more appealing to them than a multi-million dollar urban demographic area.
They should also make sure the community they enter is caring, and offers a chance to volunteer or get a part-time job. The community should be one where they can quickly assimilate into the ebb and flow of day and night life.
Boomer: Many baby boomers will have to continue to work past retirement just to make ends meet. Would you recommend these working boomers consider moving out of their home state?
Sachs: If we know anything about baby boomers it is their willingness to go outside their comfort zone. Even in their retirement years, we expect baby boomers to deepen the reach of older individuals continuing to work, even if just part time.
It is conceivable that baby boomers will become part-time teachers, or become involved in various volunteer opportunities (paid or not paid), and that becomes a great asset to a community. I do think that working past retirement for baby boomers may take a different form in a different job or profession than where they earned most of their living during their primary working years.
Boomer: Where are the top five best places for retirement?
Sachs: Baby boomers have shown us the way of smaller communities. They are looking at cities that are smaller than typical big cities with good year round climates. They also want affordable housing and lower taxes, so a state that doesn't have an income tax, for example, would be more appealing. It seems that by and large, based on these considerations that southeast states would be attractive to retiring baby boomers: Florida, the Carolinas and Georgia to name a few.
Boomer: With the rising cost of health care, taxes, housing and utilities where are the most affordable retirement communities?
Sachs: Boomers are going to look carefully at states that don't have a state income tax, and Florida is one of those. Florida also benefits by having a great climate with very mild winters-- even in the northern parts of the state. Florida used to be the No.1 retirement destination, but in the last decade, the Carolinas have topped it. But I think Florida is going to have a resurgence with the baby boomer generation because many of them went there as a child and have fond memories.
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How to build up your personal brand
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Sure, everyone knows what a brand is. Coke, Pepsi, McDonald’s. But that buzzword is getting thrown around a whole lot in career and job search conversations these days, too. And you might be thinking to yourself, “Why do I really have to care about this?”
Here’s why: Whether you’re on the job hunt, a student, or gainfully employed, you must think, act, and plan like a business leader. With the surge of social media, you have not only the ability, but you now have the need to manage your own reputation, both online and in real life.
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Employers will Google you before they even invite you to an interview. (Your current employer probably has an eye on what you’re doing, too.) And when you interact with people, both online and offline, they’ll build up an image of who you are over time.
And here’s where you come in: You want to be in control of all of those impressions. Why leave your professional reputation to chance, when you can be your own PR guru and manage your image?
Your personal brand is all about who you are and what you want to be known for. And while that’s a pretty broad concept, I’m going to break down the process for building your brand into a few easy steps.
Your first task is to develop your “brand mantra.” Basically, this is the “heart and soul” of your brand, according to branding expert Kevin Keller. It’s the foundation of all of your branding efforts.
It’s not a mission statement – rather, it’s a quick, simple, and memorable statement describing who you are and what you have to offer. Ivanka Trump is “an American wife, mother, and entrepreneur.” FedEx is “peace of mind.” Disney is “fun family entertainment.”
And yes, those are all famous options, but the same basic principles apply for your own brand. Ready for your turn? Here are four simple steps to creating your mantra:
Determine your emotional appeal
For starters, think broadly about your personality and how it affects the experience someone will have with you. Are you insanely organized? Do people love working with you for your killer sense of humour?
Make a list of words that best describe these features of your personality. These words are known as emotional modifiers. Hint: They can be as simple as Disney’s “fun.”
Determine your description
Your next step is coming up with a descriptive modifier that brings clarity to the emotional modifier, identifying what or who your brand is for. In Disney’s case, it’s “family.” In Nike’s mantra, “authentic athletic performance,” “authentic” is the emotional appeal, while “athletic” tells you what the brand is for. As an individual, yours might be an industry (“health care” or “education”), or it might be a tangible skill (“creative” or “strategic”).
Determine your function
Lastly, write down what, exactly, you do (or will do). It might be something that directly relates to your career: writing, graphic design, or financial planning, for example. Or, it might be something more broad, like Disney’s “entertainment.” Are you a manager, a creator, an organizer? A connector of people?
Put it all together
Finally, look at your three lists of words, and see how you can combine them into a short sentence or phrase – no more than five words. Your brand mantra should communicate clearly who you are, it should be simple and memorable, and it should feel inspiring to you. You might be a “dependable, strategic planner” or “a creative professional connector.” Or, your mantra might be something like, “motivating others to do their best.”
Now – what do you do with this statement? Check back soon for tips on how to use your mantra and build your online brand, as well as how to live your brand, every day.
Megan Marrs is an entrepreneur, consultant and owner of Marrs Media Group, a branding and strategic marketing company located in Valparaiso, Ind. She is also a contributing writer for The Daily Muse focusing on branding as well as business school. Megan is heavily involved with volunteering with youth leadership programs and has a passion for all aspects of business. Megan is a graduate of Purdue University (’06) and Valparaiso University MBA. (’11).
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Zeo and Athletes' Performance Team Up to Bring the Restorative Power of Sleep to Elite and Professional Athletes
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BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire -02/16/12)- Zeo, the leading sleep management company, and Athletes' Performance, the world-renowned leader in integrated performance training, nutrition and physical therapy, today announced a partnership that incorporates Zeo's technology into the Athletes' Performance training program. Athletes' Performance works closely with elite and professional athletes as well as military personnel and is proud to be supporting a record 74 athletes who have been invited to the NFL Combine, taking place in Indianapolis from February 22 to 28.
A grossly underutilized tool for performance, sleep is critical to physical recovery and mental coordination and can provide a significant competitive edge for athletes. As evidenced in Zeo's recent Sleep Like an All Star publication, research conducted by sleep and sports expert Cheri Mah of Stanford University has demonstrated that more sleep helped collegiate football players take 0.15 seconds off their 40-yard dash, basketball players increase their free throw shooting by 11 percent, and swimmers improve their reaction time off the starting block by 17 percent.
Athletes' Performance plans to introduce Zeo products, including Zeo Sleep Manager Mobile and Zeo Sleep Manager Bedside, to their users and extensive network of trainers. Their Core Performance program, used by leading corporations such as Intel, will also be incorporated. Core Performance is focused on bringing the proven fundamentals of mindset, nutrition, movement, and recovery developed at Athletes' Performance to consumers, and sleep is a critical component of better health for non-athletes and athletes alike.
"We're excited to team up with Athletes' Performance to further our goal of making sleep a top priority for athletes as well as the general public," said Dave Dickinson, CEO of Zeo. "This partnership speaks volumes to the importance of sleep to overall health, fitness and performance. By measuring and tracking their sleep with Zeo, Athletes' Performance clients will see a positive impact on their sleep quality and physical recovery and, as a result, their performance on the field and in the game of life."
"We're big fans of Zeo Sleep Manager and are thrilled to introduce the technology to our client base, including leading athletes, teams and executives," said Mark Verstegen of Athletes' Performance. "Sleep is as important to overall health and wellness as diet and exercise, and incorporating Zeo into our programs will add another positive level to our existing methodology."
Athletes' Performance operates four training facilities nationwide and has supported top athletes across a variety of sports, including 14 number-one NFL draft picks in 2011 and dozens of MLB All-Stars and MVPs.
About Zeo, Inc.
Zeo, Inc., headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, is a leading innovator within the rapidly emerging connected healthcare movement, where personal sensors, wireless technology and smartphones are empowering consumers to take better care of their own health. The Zeo company mission is to help people worldwide to take control of and improve their sleep, discovering its awesome and restorative power. Their new Zeo® Sleep Manager line well demonstrates the company value proposition as it helps consumers to track and assess their own sleep with clinically-proven accuracy and then provides them with mobile apps, online tools and an expert sleep coaching program to help them improve their sleep. Zeo has won the Triple Tree Award for Best Consumer Experiences in Wireless Life Sciences as well as the prestigious Edison Award for Best New Product, presented by The Discovery Channel. To learn more about Zeo, visit http://www.myZeo.com.
About Athletes' Performance
Athletes' Performance, created by Mark Verstegen in 1999, is the industry leader in integrated performance training, nutrition, and physical therapy for elite athletes with world-class facilities in Phoenix, AZ; The Home Depot Center, near Los Angeles, CA; The Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida; and at Fieldhouse USA in Frisco, TX. Athletes' Performance has trained many of the top champions in sport, including 54 NFL draft selections in 2011 alone, the German National Soccer Team, and countless champions in baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, basketball, and hockey. Athletes' Performance is partnered with world-class performance companies such as adidas, EAS, SKLZ, Gatorade, Power Plate, Keiser and Axon Potential to continually evolve the world of integrated athlete training. In addition to training elite athletes, AP also drives the innovation and evolution of leading proactive wellness programming through Core Performance.
Iomega Announces New Server Class Series of High Performance Scalable Network Storage Devices
Posted: at 5:27 pm
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
News Highlights
New Iomega StorCenter PX Server Class Series excels with enterprise capabilities for SMBs, Remote Offices and Distributed Enterprises Advanced EMC Storage Technology Foundation and EMC E-Lab Tested Server Class Drives for Higher Reliability and Continuous Operation New EMC LifeLine Software for Industrial Strength Operating Environments Certified for Windows, VMware and Citrix Ideal Network Storage for SMB Video Surveillance Installations Iomega Personal Cloud Technology for Cloud Capabilities at No Incremental Cost Diskless to 18TB in Desktop Enclosures, Up to 36TB in Rackmount Arrays
Iomega, an EMC company (NYSE: EMC - News) and a global leader in data protection, today announced the worldwide launch of the new Iomega® StorCenter™ PX Server Class Series of network storage products, a versatile line of high performance desktop and rackmount NAS devices utilizing server class drives and offering the highest levels of performance and advanced data protection for small- to medium-sized businesses, remote offices and distributed enterprises.
Designed with EMC® storage technology, Iomega's new StorCenter PX Server Class Series incorporates a new version of EMC® LifeLine ™ software with advanced computing features as well as 1TB*, 2TB and 3TB server class SATA drives for higher reliability and continuous operation in critical business functions, such as "always on" video surveillance applications. The new high performance line of Iomega NAS products includes competitively priced four-bay and six-bay desktop models that range from diskless to 18TB of network storage, and four-bay and 12-bay rackmount models that range from diskless to 36TB of network storage.
Executive Quotes
"Iomega's new PX Server Class Series is another example of Iomega delivering on its EMC heritage by bringing easy-to-use world class EMC enterprise storage capabilities to SMBs, remote offices and distributed enterprises at affordable prices," said Jonathan Huberman, president of Iomega Corporation. "Designed using many of the same technologies as EMC's enterprise network storage products, the new PX Server Class Series is comprised of powerful business class NAS devices that offer increased reliability and continuous operation that comes with server class drives, as well as the option of using consumer drives. Either way, there are numerous new software features debuting with our new server class NAS series that benefit SMBs and would normally only be found with enterprise level network storage solutions."
All of the new Iomega PX Server Class Series products feature Intel processors to deliver the performance demanded by critical business applications and to support the robust EMC LifeLine software features. "As part of the EMC family, Iomega works closely with Intel to deliver network storage products for small installations and distributed enterprises," said David Tuhy, general manager of the Intel Storage Group. "Intel is excited that Iomega uses our broad portfolio, including Intel® Atom™, Intel® Celeron®, and Intel®Core™2 Duo, to meet the range of its customer needs."
Analyst Quote
"Iomega's StorCenter PX Server Class Series is another move forward in Iomega's plan to provide small and mid-sized businesses and distributed enterprises with network storage products that combine advanced features and capabilities with the ease-of-use often required by smaller organizations and remote work groups," said Benjamin Woo, program vice president, worldwide storage systems, IDC. "With many of the same attributes as enterprise network storage solutions yet tailored to the smaller enterprise, the PX Server Class Series raises the high end of Iomega's network storage offerings to a new level that continues to fit nicely below EMC's entry-level storage systems."
Advanced Business Features of the new Iomega StorCenter PX Server Class Series
In addition to all the existing standard features included with Iomega network storage devices, the new desktop and rackmount StorCenter PX Server Class Series launches with a new version of EMC® LifeLine™ software that includes advanced features specifically targeted to industrial-strength operating environments, including:
Configuration Backup and Restore – backup and restore system configuration information, saving various system properties, including users, groups, device identification and share names and permissions. This capability is particularly useful when cloning a configuration across the deployment of multiple systems, such as branch offices and retail locations. Scheduled Power – create a power schedule to turn on and off StorCenter PX Server Class Series models, including day and time as well as one-time events or recurring events. Wake-on-LAN – Powers on StorCenter PX Server Class series models when a specific signal is sent over the network. (Wake-On-LAN "magic packet" application not included.) Both scheduled power and Wake on LAN provide state of the art electrical power management to enable customers to minimize AC power footprint for sustainability or to minimize operating costs. Encrypted Volume – allows users to secure data on a created encrypted volume with an assigned password. Data on the encrypted volume, including block and file, is only accessible with assigned password. SMART Hard Drive Monitor – Continually monitors and reports on the health of all drives in StorCenter PX Server Class Series system. Partner Application Download – Supports download and installation of partnered third-party applications, extending functionality and flexibility of StorCenter PX Server Class Series models. SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) – Useful for secure transferring of data between computers over a network. SFTP reads and writes from/to a remote server to a StorCenter PX Server Class Series model. Iomega Personal Cloud technology – a revolutionary web-based computing architecture that connects your Iomega StorCenter PX Server Class Series network storage device to other individuals and/or devices via the Internet. EMC Atmos – Connect to any EMC Atmos powered cloud storage service provider for secure offsite storage of data. LifeLine Native Video Surveillance Enhancements – In addition to support for Axis® and Panasonic® IP cameras, StorCenter PX Server Class Series models now support configurable resolution settings and parameters for Bosch® IP cameras. High performance through optional solid state drives, dual core Intel processors, and up to four GbE NICs and 4GB memory. Multiple RAID levels – 0, 1, 10, 5, 5+1 (hot spare) and 6, all with automatic RAID rebuild and hot swap functionality. Server Class Pedigree: Certified for VMware® vSphere 5.0, Citrix® XenServer™, Windows ® Server 2003/2008/2008R2.
Video Surveillance Solutions with the StorCenter PX Server Class Series
The new StorCenter PX Server Class Series makes it easy to archive, protect and share physical security video and audio files from anywhere (with an Internet connection). StorCenter PX Server Class Series devices deliver the innovation and convenience of optimizing video surveillance installations from four to 48 IP cameras per device at a fraction of the cost of traditional DVR/NVR installations. Iomega StorCenter devices deliver the missing element from today's video management systems – the ability to offer storage with advance data protection.
Iomega's versatile StorCenter network storage family offers three flexible video surveillance storage and management solutions for SMBs and distributed enterprises:
Surveillance Storage Target – Simplified, scalable network storage for recorded or archived surveillance video. Integrated Video Management Systems – Blend smart storage with leading video management software and IP cameras for an integrated, low-cost video surveillance solution. Iomega Hosted Video Surveillance Solutions – Leverage the power of cloud storage and the ubiquity of a browser-based video management system interface for a highly cost-effective security solution.
Desktop StorCenter px4-300d and px6-300d Server Class Series
The Iomega® StorCenter™ px4-300d Server Class Series consists of four HDD bays and up to 12TB of storage; the Iomega® StorCenter™ px6-300d Server Class Series is outfitted with six HDD bays and up to 18TB of storage capacity. Both models are available diskless, partially populated and fully populated. Empty bays in both models are fitted with a drive carrier that can accommodate 2.5-inch and 3.5 inch HDD drives, as well as SSD drives for performance-intensive applications.
Rackmount StorCenter px4-300r and px12-350r Server Class Series
With up to 12TB of storage capacity, the Iomega® StorCenter™ px4-300r Network Storage Array Server Class Series features four bays for use with HDDs or SSDs. The px4-300r comes in a space-saving 1U form factor ranging from diskless to fully populated with HDD and/or SSD drives. Iomega's flagship rackmount unit, the Iomega® StorCenter™ px12-350r Network Storage Array Server Class Series, utilizes 12 bays in a 2U form factor that ranges from partially populated with 4TB to fully populated with up to 36TB.
Availability and Warranty
The new Iomega® StorCenter™ PX Server Class Series of network storage devices is now available worldwide.
The desktop Iomega® StorCenter™ px4-300d Network Storage Server Class Series starts at $699.99, the desktop Iomega® StorCenter™ px6-300d Network Storage Server Class Series starts at $899.99, the rackmount Iomega® StorCenter™ px4-300r Network Storage Array Server Class Series starts at $1,699.99, and the rackmount Iomega® StorCenter™ px12-350r Network Storage Array Server Class Series starts at $4,999.99.
All pricing is U.S. suggested retail.
The Iomega StorCenter PX Server Class Series includes a standard three-year limited warranty with phone support up to 13 hours a day, five days a week. Optional service plans include Iomega's Enhanced Service Plan which includes a five-year limited warranty, 24x7 phone support with advance replacement.
To review all of the features of the new Iomega StorCenter PX Server Class Series of network storage devices, please go to http://www.iomega.com.
About EMC
EMC Corporation is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset -- information -- in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at http://www.EMC.com.
About Iomega
Iomega Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMC Corporation headquartered in San Diego, is a worldwide leader in innovative storage solutions for small businesses, home offices, consumers and others. The Company has sold more than 425 million digital storage drives and disks since its inception in 1980. Today, Iomega's product portfolio includes industry leading desktop and rackmount network attached storage products ideal for content sharing, data protection at small and medium businesses and distributed enterprises, as well as vertical applications such as video surveillance installations; a broad selection of direct-attached portable and desktop external hard drives; and multimedia drives, making it easy to move video, pictures and other files from the computer room to the livingroom. To learn about all of Iomega's storage products and network storage solutions, please go to the Web at http://www.iomega.com. Resellers can visit Iomega at http://www.ioclub.net.
NOTE: This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iii) our ability to protect our proprietary technology; (iv) risks associated with managing the growth of our business, including risks associated with acquisitions and investments and the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (v) fluctuations in VMware, Inc.'s operating results and risks associated with trading of VMware stock; (vi) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (vii) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (viii) component and product quality and availability; (ix) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (x) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (xi) war or acts of terrorism; (xii) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xiii) fluctuating currency exchange rates; and (xiv) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
*1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes
Copyright© 2012 Iomega Corporation. All rights reserved. Iomega and StorCenter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. EMC and LifeLine are trademarks or registered trademarks of EMC Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
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Iomega Announces New Server Class Series of High Performance Scalable Network Storage Devices