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Target Can’t Seem to Escape the Crosshairs

The on-again-off-again nationwide boycott of Target has the retailer’s new chief executive, Michael Fiddelke, officer facing relentless pressure from activists on both sides of the issue. David Primo, a professor of political science and business administration at the University of Rochester, says Fiddelke can’t seem to move Target from the crosshairs despite slashing prices on thousands of products and investing in stores, workers, and technology. “Target remains a battleground for activists on the left and the right, and its new CEO hasn’t yet figured out how to extricate the company from this role,” Primo recently told USA Today. “Fiddelke already faces a huge challenge in turning around a company with significant operational issues. This certainly doesn’t help matters.” Target has reported 13 straight quarters of sluggish sales. Company officials have admitted that shopper anger has contributed. Activists in Minneapolis, where Target is based, organized a nationwide boycott last year over the company’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. From church pulpits to community gatherings, the policy about-face was widely viewed as a betrayal of Black Americans who had propped up the retail giant’s bottom line. Primo studies corporate political strategies, among other areas, and regularly shares his insights with business journalists and political reporters. His essays have appeared in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and he’s been interviewed by many radio and television outlets, including Bloomberg and National Public Radio. Contact him by clicking on his profile.

The Ads are Coming ! OpenAI is testing ads inside ChatGPT starting this month.

But there's a catch: You can’t just buy your way in ChatGPT will soon include “clearly labeled sponsored listings” at the bottom of AI-generated responses. And while the mock-ups don't appear all that sophisticated, it's important to focus on the bigger picture. We're about to see a new wave of 'high-intent advertising' that combines the targeting sophistication of social media with the purchase-intent clarity of search advertising. More on that in a moment. How Do ChatGPT Ads Work? Starting later this month, free users of the ChatGPT platform and those under 18 will begin receiving Ads at the bottom of their screens. First, they will see ChatGPT's answer to their question, which provides a comprehensive, relevant response that builds trust. Then they will see an ad for a sponsored product/service below. An ad that suddenly doesn't feel like a blunt interruption. It feels like a natural next step. This is premium placement. The user has already received value. They've been educated. And now there's a clear call to action (CTA) that's in context. Open AI has stated that their new Ads “support a broader effort to make powerful AI accessible to more people.” Translation: As they approach 1 billion weekly users across 171 countries using ChatGPT for free, OpenAI needs to offset its astronomical burn rate with ads. Makes sense. This New Era of Conversational Ads Will be Complicated But there's a structural difference with these new ads. OpenAI has stated that ads will only appear when they're relevant to that exact conversation. This means you can't just buy your way into ChatGPT Ads. In fact, with ChatGPT you are being selected because you're the right answer the user needs at that time. Put another way: When ChatGPT evaluates which sponsored products to show, it will favor brands with demonstrated authority on the topic. So unlike traditional paid search, where a higher bid gets you ranked in sponsored results, ChatGPT Ads will reward the brands whose content has already been recognized as authoritative by the AI model. Brands with strong organic visibility, topical expertise, and content that aligns with user intent will have a distinct competitive advantage from day one. Brands without that foundation will be paying premium rates to compete with established authorities. How ChatGPT's Ad Strategy is Set to Change Digital Marketing For years, CMOs have treated organic search and paid search as separate budget lines, often managed by different teams. I saw this firsthand, as I helped my client DoubleClick launch it’s first Ad Exchange network in the US market. Programmatic exchanges brought a new efficiency to digital ad buying. It was a very groovy time. This feels very different. Why? Because, the conventional wisdom has always been that paid search and ads drive immediate results while organic search plays the long game. In 2026, that strategy isn’t completely obsolete. But that type of thinking is about to get a lot more expensive for clients if they don't start to appreciate quality "organic" content and its ability to improve their paid advertising ROI. Now organic and paid need to get along, to get ahead. ChatGPT Ads Are Looking for Topical Authority that Experts Can Demonstrate When ChatGPT evaluates which sponsored products to show, it will favor brands with demonstrated authority on the topic. Brands won't simply be able to "buy" visibility. OpenAI in its announcements, has been explicit: ads must be relevant to the conversation. Relevance is determined by topical alignment, not budget. A brand spending millions on generic bidding will lose to a smaller competitor whose product is more precisely aligned with what the user actually asked. The ads aren't live yet. But the infrastructure supporting them is. Open AI, Google and many of the other generative search platforms are building very sophisticated systems that track topical authority and content quality signals. They're already reshaping how organic search, AI recommendations, and paid advertising work together. Topical Relevance + Expert Authority is the Path to Visibility in Search Investing in well-developed thought leadership programs generates compound returns. You get the organic search results plus an improvement in your paid search metrics in Generative AI search platforms. When done right, you build authority for AI citations, which then positions you better for ChatGPT ads. Remember, your organic traffic gains are built on authoritative content. They're built on being the answer that search engines and AI systems select. And once you've built that authority, it works everywhere—traditional search, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and soon… ChatGPT ads. What To Do Before AI Ad Networks Start to Scale The early advantage will go to brands that invest in quality content right now. Organizations that invest in expert-authored, intent-aligned content over the next six months will have more AI citation visibility from Google Overviews and similar LLM's like ChatGPT. That means more trust signals, making paid ads more effective when they run. Content that is aligned with user intent: Answers a specific question. Not tangentially, not after 2,000 words of context. The answer appears in the opening paragraph, structured for AI extraction. Includes expert perspective. Generic information that could come from anywhere doesn't differentiate you. Expert insight, original research, or proprietary frameworks do. Demonstrates topical authority. A single authoritative article matters less than a cluster of related content that shows comprehensive expertise on a topic. Is structured for scanning. Clear headings (H2, H3), bullet points, tables, Q&A blocks. This structure helps both human readers and AI systems parse meaning. Remember, the brands that get the most value out of ChatGPT Ads will be the ones that built intent-aligned content years before the ads launched. They'll have topical clusters, expert perspectives, and the authority signals that make them the natural choice for sponsorship. Questions CMO’s Should Be Asking their Teams Now to Prepare for ChatGPT Ads Q. Can I pre-purchase Chat GPT Ads? As of today, there are currently no ads in ChatGPT. Open AI has announced that they will begin internal testing ads in ChatGPT later this month for Free users in the US market. Q. Do Ads influence the answers ChatGPT gives you? What about privacy? Open AI in their release states that answers are optimized based on what's most helpful to you. Ads are always separated and clearly labeled from Answers. They also state that they keep your conversations private from advertisers and will never sell your data to advertisers. Q. How do we audit our site content to ensure we're aligned with user intent? For your top 20-30 decision-stage queries (the ones that drive revenue), here's a quick test. Does the content directly answer the question in the opening paragraph? Are you including question-and-answer formats in your content? If you're burying the answer in a 3,000-word article full of tangents, you're losing visibility in organic search, and you're already failing in ChatGPT's environment. Restructure. Q. How do we prepare for ChatGPT Advertising Opportunities? Build topical authority through content clusters. Don't publish isolated blog posts. Organize your content around core topics your audience cares about. Create a long-form hub article that comprehensively covers the topic, then develop additional linked articles that dive into sub-topics and questions. Link them together. This structure helps AI systems over time, recognize your brand as authoritative on that topic, which improves both organic rankings and AI citation rates. Q. Can we still get traction with content that is not authored by experts? Generic AI-written content won't differentiate you. Get expert voices into your content. Feature your subject-matter experts, partner with practitioners, and customers to contribute original insights, case studies, or frameworks. AI systems can detect authenticity, and original expert perspectives is now a ranking signal. This is especially critical as you prepare for ChatGPT ads. OpenAI has prioritized conversations that cite authoritative sources. Q. How does content need to be structured for citations? Implement proper schema markup and structured data. AI systems extract information by parsing content structure. If your pages include proper schema markup (FAQPage, HowTo, Review, Product schema), you're making it easier for AI to pull your content into answers. This increases citation rates, which builds authority before ChatGPT ads scale. Q. How do we allocate our organic and paid programs? Own the organic + paid intersection. For your highest-intent topics, if you have a budget, invest in both organic visibility and paid campaigns. Run ads targeting the same keywords where you rank organically. This takes up more real estate on the results page and signals authority. It also gives you direct feedback on keyword performance, messaging, and landing page effectiveness—data that informs your organic content strategy and drives more citations - a virtuous cycle. Q. What types of creative will work best in these new Ad products? Until they roll out, it's unwise to make too many predictions. The safe bet here is to prepare your team for conversational advertising. ChatGPT ads won't reward traditional ad copy. They'll reward clarity, specificity, and direct value messaging. If you're used to brand-heavy, aspirational creative, this will feel foreign. Start testing conversationally-appropriate messaging now. Short, clear, problem-focused. Test on existing paid channels and refine before ChatGPT ads launch. Our Prediction When ChatGPT ads fully launch and scale, many brands that have invested in organic visibility and content quality will start to pull away from the pack. Remember…The brands that win won't be the ones with the biggest ad budgets. They'll be the ones whose content has already proven they're the right answer. They'll be the ones users already trust, already cite, and already know. The ads are coming. Are you ready?

Confused About the Economy? We can Help!

In a recent piece on CNN ... eyebrows were raised about the state of America's economy. The article describes a growing disconnect in the U.S. economy: strong growth and rising corporate productivity driven by artificial intelligence, but weak job creation. Companies are investing heavily in AI and automation, which allows them to increase output without hiring more workers — especially in roles involving routine or administrative tasks. This dynamic has produced what economists call a “jobless boom”: profits and productivity rise, while new jobs lag behind. The Federal Reserve is increasingly concerned because this trend creates risks for both workers and the broader economy. Lower-skilled and entry-level workers face displacement, wage inequality may widen, and traditional unemployment metrics may understate how difficult it has become for people to re-enter the job market. Policymakers now face a harder balancing act as AI reshapes labor demand, raising questions about retraining, social supports, and how to manage an economy where growth no longer guarantees broad-based job creation. If you're confused - don't feel bad. In fact, if you're a journalist covering this topic - let us help. Dr. Jared Pincin is a nationally respected expert on economic issues facing the United States of America.  He's available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Why Are Canadian Banks Not Protecting Seniors? The $40 Billion Dollar Question

After an 89-year-old Victoria man lost $1.7 million to phone scammers despite bank red flags, retirement expert and authour, Susan Pimento, exposes a critical protection gap: while U.S. banks like Bank of America offer "Trusted Contacts" (designated people banks call to verify suspicious transactions) for all accounts, Canadian banks restrict this safeguard to investment accounts only—leaving everyday banking vulnerable where most fraud occurs. In Canada, senior fraud is vastly underreported (RCMP estimates only 5-10% surface), and banks are treating this as a cost issue rather than a moral crisis.  Susan Pimento is available for interviews to discuss practical solutions, industry insights from her decades of work within financial institutions, and why Canadian banks are failing to implement a simple fix that could save seniors' life savings. Connect with her directly through ExpertFile to schedule TV, radio, podcast, or print interviews.  As I was polishing this post for Canadian Financial Literacy Month, another senior fraud story flashed across my screen. This one stopped me cold. According to this CBC story, an 89-year-old man in Victoria, B.C., was tricked into handing over nearly $1.7 million of his life savings in a months-long phone scam. The caller claimed to be from the fraud department at CIBC and said he was helping with a national money-laundering case. (Spoiler: he wasn't.) Despite red flags and staff awareness, the bank still allowed large in-person withdrawals. He was told to buy gold bars — yes, actual gold bars — with drafts of up to $395,000, which couriers then collected like some twisted Uber Eats retirement fraud. Every week in Canada, we see another heartbreaking headline: a senior sends thousands, sometimes millions, to a scammer pretending to be their grandchild, the CRA, or — the ultimate irony — their bank.  These scams targeting seniors don't require fancy hacking. They rely on fear, isolation, and misplaced trust. Once the money's gone, it's gone—no refund policy. And here's the kicker: what we're reading about is just the tip of the iceberg. For seniors, fraud now ranks as the top crime, and most fraud goes unreported—especially in this demographic. In a previous post, I showed how the data suggests the real figures could be 10 to 20 times higher than what's officially reported.  The RCMP estimates that only 5-10% of fraud victims come forward. Many victims never speak out due to embarrassment, fear, or confusion. Translation? For every story that makes the news, countless others suffer in silence. How The Banking Industry Can Actually Fight Fraud I've worked within financial institutions for decades. Let's just say I understand how the process works. Banks have billion-dollar tech stacks, layers of compliance, and advanced fraud detection systems that can flag a suspicious $47 transaction in milliseconds. But the solution for this type of fraud isn't a multimillion-dollar algorithm or a new "AI-powered fraud prevention dashboard." Instead, it's a human-based approach called a Trusted Contact. What's a "Trusted Contact," Anyway? It's not an app, a chatbot, or some new gadget that requires a firmware update every Thursday. It's a person.  Someone you trust — a family member, attorney, accountant, or another third-party who you believe would respect your privacy and know how to handle the responsibility of communicating with your bank in your best interests if something suspicious occurs. They don't access your money or view your accounts. They can't see that you spent $47 at the LCBO last Tuesday (Your secret is safe). They're simply your human safety net — a fraud wing person, if you will. The Origins of the Trusted Contact The concept began in the U.S. in 2018, when FINRA mandated investment firms to request a Trusted Contact Person. Canada followed in 2022, when the Canadian Securities Administrators introduced similar guidance for investment accounts. What things can be discussed with a trusted contact? As its name implies, a Trusted Contact is a designated person who is inherently trusted by the individual (and has no authority to transact business on a client’s account), so there is little to no danger that any reasonable disclosure would violate a client’s trust or give rise to any material issue.” What Canadian Banks Are Doing...And Not Doing Here's the good news. If you invest through Wealthsimple, RBC Direct Investing, TD Direct, or BMO InvestorLine, you can already designate a Trusted Contact. But here's where it gets ridiculous: RBC Direct might have that security feature — but your regular RBC chequing account? Not so much. That protection vanishes the moment Mom or Dad logs into their everyday banking. And that's where most fraud actually occurs. It's like installing a state-of-the-art security system on your front door but leaving the back door wide open with a welcome mat that says "Scammers Enter Here!" Fraud in Canada for Banks is Still a Budget Item: Not a Moral Crisis Here's the uncomfortable truth: For banks, fraud is considered a "cost of doing business." And since most of those losses are borne by customers, not the bank, there isn't much urgency to innovate.  The Big Five earned over $40 billion in total last year. They have the means to care. They're not particularly motivated to actually do so. The Big Opportunity for Banks: Add a Little Humanity to the System Banks like to boast about their AI, blockchain, and next-gen fraud analytics. But most scams don't occur because of breached firewalls — they happen because of breached hearts. A Trusted Contact provides an additional simple, low-tech layer: human verification. Picture this: The bank spots an unusual transaction — a large new payee, an international wire transfer, or a sudden gold-bar purchase (it happens). Instead of sending another automated text alert, the system could ask: "This looks unusual. Would you like us to confirm with your Trusted Contact before proceeding?" or “Just a heads-up: scammers often use urgent or unusual requests. Prefer we run this by your Trusted Contact before we proceed?” That's it. One additional step. One extra set of eyes. One brief conversation could save someone's life savings. This isn't about limiting independence — it's about safeguarding autonomy. Ensuring your decisions are genuinely yours, not the scammer's. Banks could even call it "Senior Protection Mode." I'd sign up tomorrow. Heck, I'd pay extra for it. (Shhh, don't tell them that.) Here's the Proof Trusted Contacts Work: Bank of America Did It In 2022, Bank of America became the first major bank to extend Trusted Contacts beyond investment accounts to everyday banking clients. Customers can now add a trusted person the bank can call if something seems wrong, if they can't reach you, or if staff suspect undue influence. That person can't access your money — they're just the human speed bump before disaster: one simple form, one phone number, and much heartbreak avoided. If Bank of America can do it, why can't ours? Canadian banks already have the tech — and indeed the profits — to make it happen. What's Holding Canada's Banks Back? Cue the usual excuses: "Our legacy systems can't handle that." Sure — some of your code still thinks "Y2K" is an active threat. But if you can build an app that tracks my latte points and sends me notifications about my "spending insights,"  you can add one field for a Trusted Contact. "Privacy laws make it risky." Nope. FINRA and the CSA already provide safe-harbour protections. With consent, banks can legally contact a Trusted Person. Just add a checkbox. You love checkboxes. You make us check dozens of them every time we update our password. "Customers haven't asked for it." They're asking now. Loudly. With megaphones. And pointing at stories like the Victoria gentleman who lost $1.7 million in gold bars. The business case has historically been weak because most fraud losses affect customers, not the bank's balance sheet. But here's the catch: every fraud story damages trust. And in banking, trust is supposed to be the core of the business. For Canadian Banks There's a Competitive Advantage in Caring Rolling out a Trusted Contact feature isn't just good ethics; it's good business. Imagine the marketing campaign: "We don't just protect your password — we protect your peace of mind." Seniors would love this. So would their kids. That's multi-generational loyalty money can't buy. If EQ Bank or any challenger brand wanted a PR home run, this would be it. It's Time to Take Action on Fraud To the Banks: Stop waiting for regulators to force your hand. Lead. Be the first to offer Trusted Contacts for all customers — not just investors. You have the framework, the talent, and the budget. You absolutely do not need another consultant to tell you this is the right thing to do. To Policymakers: The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada should update its Code of Conduct to include a mandatory Trusted Contact option for all customers, safe-harbour rules allowing banks to pause suspicious transactions, and annual public reporting on outcomes. Because sunshine is the best disinfectant, even in banking. To Consumers: Don't wait for policy — be the policy. Ask your bank today if you can add a Trusted Contact. If they say no, ask why not — and post it. Loudly. Talk to your family. Choose your Trusted Person now. Write your MP or MPP and ask why U.S. banks protect seniors better than ours. Remember the $3 ATM Fee Rebellion?  Canadians once revolted over paying $3 to access their own money at ATM's. We later got no-fee accounts, digital challengers, and a whole new generation of more innovative banking.  If we can rally over an ATM fee, surely we can rally to protect our parents and grandparents from losing their life savings. Fraud isn't an inevitable part of aging — it's a solvable problem. And Trusted Contacts are one of the simplest, most human solutions we have. Don't Forget Two-Factor Authentication for the Soul Adding a Trusted Contact won't stop all fraud — let's be clear about that. But it will go a long way toward slowing it down, adding a common-sense pause, and potentially saving even one senior from losing any part of their hard-earned money. It's unfortunately too late for that gentleman and his family in BC, but it's not too late for countless others. This won't crash legacy systems or drain bank profits. It just adds a little humanity back into banking — right where it belongs. Because the best kind of security isn't just two-factor authentication. It's two people who care. And if we don't care about protecting our elders, who exactly do we care about? Sue Don’t Retire…Re-Wire! Want to become an expert on serving the senior demographic? Just message me to be notified about the next opportunity to become a "Certified Equity Advocate" — mastering solution-based advising that transforms how you work with Canada's fastest-growing client segment.

Canada's First Lifetime Fixed-Rate Reverse Mortgage: A Game-Changer or Just Another Option?

Every so often, a retirement product emerges that makes even a seasoned boomer take notice and remark, "Well, isn't that interesting?" The Globe and Mail reported that Bloom Finance has introduced Canada's first "lifetime fixed-rate reverse mortgage." What’s a Lifetime Fixed-Rate Reverse Mortgage? A Fixed Rate Reverse Mortgage is a financing option that gives you a permanently locked-in interest rate for as long as you hold the loan—not just for a typical five-year term. This could appeal to many Canadians entering retirement: It means you can unlock tax-free equity from your home without worrying that future rate hikes will eat into your cash flow or erode your long-term plans. What makes this even more appealing is the nature of a reverse mortgage itself. You’re not required to make monthly payments You retain full ownership of your home Your rate simply determines how your balance grows over time. When that rate is fixed for life, it removes one of the biggest sources of uncertainty, allowing retirees to plan confidently, protect more of their equity, and use their home as a stable financial tool rather than a source of stress. In short, a fixed-rate reverse mortgage combines the predictability retirees crave with the flexibility they need—something increasingly hard to find in today’s jittery rate environment. Bloom's New Lifetime Reverse Mortgage: Why People Are Talking Reverse mortgages allow homeowners aged 55+ to access up to roughly 55% of their home's equity without taxes, without monthly payments, and without affecting OAS or GIS. In the past, concerns have centred on the compounded interest and the uncertainty of future rates. Bloom's new Lifetime Reverse Mortgage offering aims to ease this stress by offering a fixed rate for life. Currently, that rate is 6.69%.  The rates are a bit higher than other reverse mortgage products on the market.  For comparison here are some current rates at the time of publication: Home Trust's (6.44% for a 5-year fixed rate) Equitable Bank (6.54%) HomeEquity Bank's (6.64%) 5-year fixed rates. Looking Beyond the Rates of Reverse Mortgages Bloom's real appeal with this new product is emotional: no more renewal surprises. For retirees on fixed incomes, the stability of a fixed rate feels different. It's like a weighted blanket for your financial nervous system. Think of it as an insurance policy against rising interest rates. And boomers love insurance. We insure our hips, luggage, vacations, eyeglasses, cell phones, and emotions (usually at the spa). So, a mortgage rate that stays stable? Yes, please. But let’s look beyond the mechanics of this product. We need to discuss a force even greater than compound interest: luck. Let's Talk About Luck (aka: The Retirement Wild Card) Here's a truth many boomers seldom admit: financial success isn't only about planning. It's about timing. It's about circumstance. And yes… pure, unfiltered luck. As humans — especially we entitled boomers — we tend to overemphasize our achievements and downplay our faults. And let's be honest: we don't like admitting when we're wrong. Society often rewards the strong and wrong more than the weak and right. (If you're unsure, just watch any political panel for 30 seconds.) Even Warren Buffett — the patron saint of rational investing — made a spectacularly poor decision when he bought Dexter Shoe for $433 million in Berkshire stock. The company later became worthless. Buffett described it as the worst deal of his life. If the Oracle of Omaha can make a mistake, the rest of us can certainly recognize how luck has influenced our real estate stories. And oh, did luck influence the boomer journey. We bought homes when they were affordable; when interest rates were character-building, and avocado appliances were peak chic. Then real estate skyrocketed. Homes doubled, tripled, quadrupled. Not because we were geniuses — but because we were standing in the right place at the right time. Let's be even more honest: A boomer's worst day in real estate is a millennial's dream day. We might not like admitting it, but it's true. And yes — boomers get to show off a little because we also carried the burden of our failures: recessions, layoffs, 19% mortgage rates, renovation disasters, and property taxes that still make us weep into our soup. But luck? She was definitely in the room. Now that we've named her, we can begin speaking honestly about how to use the equity we possess — wisely, deliberately, and with eyes wide open. Let's Discuss the Numbers (Because We Ought To) Here's where the real impact happens. Say you're 70 and you take out a $200,000 reverse mortgage at Bloom's lifetime rate of 6.69%. Over 20 years, with compounding interest and no payments, you'd owe approximately $724,000. Now, if you took out a traditional reverse mortgage at 6.54% over those same 20 years (not including rate hikes, though they're likely), you'd owe approximately $707,000. That's a $17,000 difference — not a high price to pay for lifelong comfort. But There Are Trade-Offs The early-exit penalties are steep: · 8% in year one · Decreasing until year five · Then three months' interest thereafter Penalties are waived if you downsize, move to assisted living, or pass away. But if you leave for other reasons? You're responsible for the costs. Translation: Only select this reverse mortgage product if you genuinely plan to stay put. Zooming Out: The Full Menu of Equity Options This lifetime reverse mortgage is just one tool in a broad (and expanding) equity-release toolkit. Others include: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units): Build a suite, rent it out, house a caregiver, or create multigenerational living. Offers independence and income potential. Downsizing: The classic move. Big house to small house to building a solid cash cushion. Emotionally complex, financially empowering. HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit): Offer flexible, interest-only repayment options. Manulife One: The Swiss Army knife of HELOCs. Perfect for disciplined retirees. HESA (Home Equity Sharing Agreements): No payments or interest — you exchange future house appreciation for cash today. Traditional Reverse Mortgages: Similar to Bloom in structure but without the lifetime rate. And yes — boomers have more equity-access options than any generation in Canadian history. Not arrogance. Just facts. And increasingly relevant ones. Research shows that 91% of older adults in Canada prefer to age at home rather than move to an institution, with 92.1% of Canadian seniors currently living in private dwellings in the community. Honest Questions to Ask Yourself Before Signing for Any Type of Loan Wondering if you should take the leap?  Before you even consider signing anything, pour yourself something warm (or stronger) and ask a few honest questions. · Am I emotionally ready, or just tired of worrying about money? · Am I genuinely content to remain in this home forever, or am I romanticizing the past? · Where are interest rates heading — and how will that affect my comfort level? · What exactly do I need cash flow for — income, essentials, opportunities, legacy, or "finally something for ME"? · Have I thought about how this decision might affect my children and inheritance? · What future choices could this create — or prevent? · And the biggest question of all: if Plan A fails, is Plan B truly realistic… or just wearing yoga pants and pretending? Because here's the real truth: the happiest retirees aren't the ones who got lucky — they're the ones who used their luck with purpose, timing, and emotional clarity. Bloom's lifetime reverse mortgage isn't a miracle cure, nor is it a trap. It's simply one tool — and for the right person, it provides emotional stability and financial predictability. Here's What Matters Before you sign for a reverse mortgage, HELOCs, or anything else with an acronym and a sales commission attached, here's my professional advice: Get the full picture so you can make decisions that truly work for your life — not merely to meet someone else's sales quota.  The "best" financial move isn't the one that appears impressive on a spreadsheet. It's the one that allows you to sleep peacefully at night. The one that grounds you emotionally and supports you financially. Retirement isn't the end of the story. It's the chapter where you finally get to blend strategy with self-awareness, confidence with clarity, and luck with a bit of laughter. And if life insists on being unpredictable? Then outsmart it, outlaugh it, and choose the equity tools that help your future self say, "Nice move." Love, Aunt Equity" aka Sue "Don't Retire… ReWire!!!" Want to become an expert on serving the senior demographic? Just message me to be notified about the next opportunity to become a "Certified Equity Advocate" — mastering solution-based advising that transforms how you work with Canada's fastest-growing client segment.

The keys to holiday happiness: Gratitude, giving and genuine connection

The holiday ads insist that it’s the time for cheer, buying gifts and reconnecting with friends and family. Various factors – social media, remote work, politics – have made that more difficult than ever. There is hope: Research by the University of Delaware's Amit Kumar shows the path to genuine happiness this season. Kumar, assistant professor of marketing in UD's Lerner College of Business & Economics, offered the following three strategies. Gratitude: • Gratitude and giving thanks has benefits for both the giver and the receiver. It makes both parties feel good, and provides a real-life human connection at a time when those are hard to come by. "Investing in doing is a better route to social connection than spending on having." - Amit Kumar A shift in gift buying strategy: • Experiences can make for better gifts than trinkets, coats, jewelry or other items. There's a better chance of social connection if you're doing something rather than giving something. Type less, talk more: • It's important to keep in touch, but reconnecting during the holidays through a phone call or face-to-face interaction (virtually or in person) has a better chance of strengthening our bonds. More information on Kumar, who is also an assistant professor of psychological & brain sciences, can be found on his website. To contact Kumar directly and arrange an interview, visit his profile and click on the contact button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Op-Ed: Stablecoin 'rewards' are a risk to financial stability

Congress has long recognized that stablecoins should not function as unregulated bank deposits. The intent of the recently enacted GENIUS Act is clear: to prohibit stablecoin issuers from paying interest or yield to holders, maintaining a distinction between payment instruments and bank deposits which are not only used for payment purposes but also as a store value. Yet loopholes have already emerged. Some crypto exchanges and affiliated platforms now offer “rewards” to stablecoin holders that work much like interest, potentially undermining the stability of the traditional banking system and constraining credit in local communities. Terminology matters. Credit card rewards are funded by interchange fees and paid to encourage spending — you earn points for using your card. Stablecoin “rewards” are different. They’re funded by investing the reserves backing stablecoins, typically in Treasury bills or money market funds, and passing that interest income to holders. You earn returns for holding the stablecoin, not for using it. Economically, this is indistinguishable from a bank deposit paying interest. When a platform advertises “5% rewards” on stablecoin holdings, it’s generally backing those tokens with Treasuries yielding about 4.5%, then passing that yield to users. Whether labeled rewards, yield or dividends, the function is the same: interest on deposits. Banks perform a similar activity — taking deposits, investing in loans and paying depositors a return — but face far higher costs, including FDIC insurance, capital requirements and compliance obligations that stablecoin issuers largely avoid. This dynamic has a precedent. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Regulation Q capped bank deposit rates at 5.25% while inflation and Treasury yields soared above 15%. Money market funds filled the gap, offering market rates directly to consumers. Deposits fled smaller banks, which lost their funding base, while large money-center institutions gained reserves. The result was widespread disintermediation, the collapse of the savings and loan industry and the farm-credit crisis of the 1980s. Stablecoin “rewards” risk repeating that history. Just as money market funds exploited the gap between regulated deposit rates and market rates, stablecoin platforms exploit the difference between what banks can profitably pay and what lightly regulated issuers can offer by passing through Treasury yields with minimal overhead. Some ask why banks can’t just raise deposit rates. The answer lies in structure. Banks operate under a fundamentally different business model and cost framework. They pay FDIC premiums, maintain capital reserves and comply with extensive supervision — costs most stablecoin issuers don’t bear. Banks also use deposits to make loans, which requires holding capital against potential losses. Stablecoin issuers simply hold reserves in ultra-safe assets, allowing them to pass through nearly all the yield they earn. To match 5% “rewards,” banks would need to earn 6% to 7% on their loan portfolios — an unrealistic target in today’s environment, especially for smaller community banks. The consequence is not fair competition, but a structural disadvantage for regulated depository institutions. The Consumer Bankers Association warns this loophole could trigger a massive shift of deposits from community banks to global custodians. Citing Treasury Department estimates, the Association notes that as much as $6.6 trillion in deposits could migrate into stablecoins if yield programs remain permissible. Because the GENIUS Act’s prohibition applies narrowly to issuers, exchanges and intermediaries may still offer financial returns under alternate terminology. This opens the door to affiliate arrangements that replicate the essence of interest payments without legal accountability. Those reserves don’t stay in local economies. The largest stablecoin issuers hold funds at global custodians such as Bank of New York Mellon, in money market funds managed by firms like BlackRock or — if permitted — directly with the Federal Reserve. When a community-bank depositor moves $100,000 into stablecoins, that capital exits the local bank and concentrates at systemically important institutions. The community bank loses lending capacity; the megabank or the Fed gains reserves. The result is disintermediation with a concentrated risk profile reminiscent of the money-market fund crisis. The Progressive Policy Institute estimates that community banks — responsible for roughly 60% of small-business loans and 80% of agricultural lending nationwide — could be among the most affected. In Louisiana, where local banks finance small businesses and family farms, that risk is especially relevant. If deposits migrate to unregulated digital assets, community-bank lending could tighten, particularly in rural parishes and underserved communities. Research from the Brookings Institution reinforces the need for regulatory parity. The label “rewards” doesn’t change the fact that these payments are economically interest. Allowing intermediaries to generate yield without deposit insurance or prudential oversight could recreate vulnerabilities similar to those seen during the 2008 money market fund crisis. To preserve financial stability, policymakers should move to close the stablecoin-interest loophole. Clarifying that the prohibition on interest applies to all entities— not just issuers — would uphold Congress’ intent. Regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodities Futures Trading Commission and federal banking agencies could also treat “reward” programs as equivalent to deposit interest for supervisory purposes. Stablecoins offer genuine efficiencies in payments, but unchecked yield features risk turning them into unregulated banks. History shows what happens when regulatory arbitrage allows competitors to offer deposit-like products without oversight: deposit flight, institutional instability and capital flowing away from community lenders. Acting now could help sustain stability, protect depositors and preserve the credit channels that support community lending — especially in states like Louisiana, where community banks remain the backbone of Main Street.

Covering "meme stocks"? Our expert can help.

"Meme stock" fever in the financial markets is back and hotter than ever. If you're a reporter covering the trend now or in the future (because history suggests it'll boomerang), the University of Rochester invites you to reach out to Daniel Burnside, clinical professor of finance at the Simon School of Business, for insight.  Burnside has held various roles in the investment, risk management and financial planning fields, and has worked extensively with both individual and institutional clientele. He recently helped Forbes explain the trend affecting stocks like Krispy Kreme and Kohl's and other brands, and offered advice on how investors should proceed. "You’re not investing in fundamentals, you’re betting on crowd psychology and social media dynamics,” Burnside told Forbes.  Burnside encouraged potential investors to “keep it small.” “No more than, say, 5% of your portfolio,” he added. “It’s speculation, not strategy. If you can’t afford to lose it, you can’t afford to meme it.”  Contact Burnside by clicking on is profile.

The Retirement Games

Have you ever dreamed of being an Olympic athlete? Perhaps you have wondered what it would feel like to stand on that podium in front of the world as your national anthem plays. For most Olympic athletes, the journey begins very early in life. But imagine what it would be like if you started training for this event in your 60s? Read on if you want an edge to discover how to win the Retirement Games and still pass the drug test (let’s face it, peeing is not an issue for many at that age)! Here is your chance to get on the podium at the most crucial game of your life. On Your Marks, Get Set, Ready, Go! Retirement was more like a coffee break five decades ago—brief, predictable, and over before your muffin cooled. In 1975, the average Canadian could expect to live about 73.53 years. Fast forward to 2025; we're clocking in at nearly 83.26 years. Even juicier? The lastest research shows half of today's 20-year-olds in Canada are expected to live past 90.  That’s why we need to think of retirement these days, not as a sprint; instead, it’s an ultramarathon with hills, potholes, and the occasional pulled hamstring. Most of us never expected to be training for it in our sixties, but here we are—so pull up your compression socks and move. The starter's pistol is about to fire, whether you're ready or not! Surprise! You're Retired While you may dream of selecting your retirement date like a fine wine, many face the reality of a boxed kind instead. Approximately 6 in 10 Americans retire earlier than they planned. Research from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that many individuals experience unexpected early retirement due to personal health issues, employer discretion, or family-related circumstances. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/retirement-age-in-america-62-claiming-social-security-early/ Sometimes, it's a health scare, a loved one’s illness, or a harsh employer downsizing. Nobody whispers the term "ageism," but when companies replace senior employees with younger, more affordable talent (or AI bots), it’s not subtle—it’s math.As Morgan Housel reminds us in his bestseller, The Psychology of Money, "The most important part of every plan is planning for your plan, not going according to plan." Expect the unexpected. Train as if retirement could sneak up on you—because it just might. Get Fit, Stay Sharp: Health is the First Leg of the Race Physical and mental health are the fuel for your retirement. The rest doesn’t matter without them; we’re not just talking about lifting weights. (Though, yes, lift some weights.) Regular physical activity provides numerous benefits for older adults, including a reduced risk of dementia and enhanced cognitive function. Exercise can help maintain brain health, reduce mental decline, and even reverse some age-related brain shrinkage. Additionally, physical activity can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance balance and coordination, leading to a better quality of life. • Strength training enhances bone density, metabolism, and mental health. (Source: Mayo Clinic) • Flexibility and balance? Try yoga or tai chi. Harvard Health says they reduce pain and stiffness. • Mental fitness? Cue up Wordle, Canuckle (the Canadian cousin), or Sudoku. • Dancing? It's beneficial for your brain and your swagger  • Listening to music or playing an instrument can reduce stress and boost memory. Gold Medal Tip: Motivation is overrated; action is everything. Don’t be a couch potato. A new study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that older adults who spend more time sedentary — such as sitting or lying down — may be at a higher risk for lower cognition and in areas linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, no matter how much they exercise! So make sure you show up, move, and the motivation will catch up. Wealth Training: Stop Hoping, Start Budgeting Here's a shocker: Retirement doesn't mean your expenses magically disappear. According to Steve Willems' podcast “10 Retirement Myths You May Not Want to Believe,” most retirees don’t spend less. Aside from the mortgage, spending remains surprisingly consistent, especially during the Go-Go years (ages 55-75)”. We like what we like: groceries, entertainment, travel, and stylish or comfortable clothes are still on our shopping lists. That’s why many of us in retirement will need to pay more attention to spending and budgeting. Check Obligation Spending Retirement is the perfect time to reevaluate expenses from obligation rather than genuine need or joy. Here's a thoughtful way to frame that idea: Retirement is the season of freedom, so why are you still paying for things that feel like a burden? Now that you’re no longer earning a regular paycheck, every dollar matters more than ever. This means it’s time to take a closer look at obligatory expenses. These might include: • Helping adult children financially (even when it stretches your budget) • Donating to every fundraiser or cause just because someone asked • Hosting large family gatherings that leave you exhausted and over budget • Maintaining memberships, subscriptions, or traditions that no longer bring you joy. (We talk a lot more about this in a previous post What’s your Retirement Plan B While generosity is admirable, it shouldn’t jeopardize your financial security or peace of mind. Retirement should focus on investing in what truly matters to you now, rather than keeping up appearances or adhering to outdated expectations. Here’s a gentle mantra to adopt: “I’ve earned the right to say no with love and confidence.” Freeing yourself from obligation spending doesn’t mean becoming stingy; it means becoming intentional. Give where your heart feels full, not where your guilt feels heavy. After all, you didn’t work all those years to keep writing checks out of habit. Balance Beam- Budget What’s your plan when overtime isn’t an option and the budget doesn’t balance? Start with a good old-fashioned reality check: • Write down ALL expenses. • Tally up your income. • Look for a surplus (yay, trip!) or a shortfall (boo, time to pivot). Look at Canadian Government Pensions • Here's the math.  Old Age Security (OAS): Max is about $713/month or $8,556/year. And don’t forget the dreaded government clawback (formally known as the Old Age Security Pension Recovery Tax which starts at ~$90,997. • Canada Pension Plan (CPP): The average monthly payment is $758, while the maximum is $1,364 per month or $16,368 per year. So with these two programs combined, provided you meet requirements, as a senior, you're looking at somewhere between $17,000–$25,000/year before tax. If your lifestyle needs a bit more jazz hands, here’s how to bridge the gap:   DIY Income Builders: • Slash debt. Every dollar you don't spend is one you keep. • Downsize and bank the equity. • Buy or build an ADU and rent it. I have written more about ADU's here. • HELOC or Reverse mortgage (borrow strategically). • Withdraw from investments (4% rule). • Monetize your skills: consulting, tutoring, or writing that novel you started in 1993. Gold Medal Tip: Track your joy per dollar. If you’re going to spend, make it worth it. Rewire, Don’t Retire: Finding Purpose The biggest myth of retirement? That doing nothing feels good forever. (Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.) Passion is your GPS. It guides you towards what fills your heart. Whether you write poetry, walk dogs, or paint birds wearing tiny hats, your joy matters. And legacy? That’s just purpose with staying power. There’s science to support the benefits of this lesson. A study in JAMA Psychiatry found that people with a sense of purpose had a lower risk of mortality and disability  Purpose-Driven Paths: • Volunteer: Look for a cause that fires you up. • Get a part-time job: Perhaps you can fill in at a local bookstore, garden center or be a barista? • Hobbies: Take up painting, pottery, or poetry. • Go Back to School: Many Universities such as The University of Toronto offer free, non-credit courses through programs as part of their community outreach.  Seniors (over 60) enrolled at York University may have all or part of their academic fees waived at the domestic fee rate for York University degree credit courses as part of their mature student program. • Spend real time with people you love, maybe your grandkids or elderly parents. • Reconnect with old friends – not just on Facebook, but in person • Get out of your backyard and see the world Gold Medal Tip: You're never too young (or too old) to chase what lights you up. Start a business, get that degree you always wanted, and write that book. Go. For. It. Support: No One Trains Alone Retirement can be lonely. As we age, friends pass, routines fade, and isolation creeps in. That’s why your squad matters more than ever. Find Your Pod: • Family & Friends: Set expectations. Ask for help. Host Sunday dinners. Stay connected. • Fitness & Social Clubs: Join a walking group or participate in a gym class, followed by regular post-sweat coffee. • Faith Communities: Spirituality and structure in one. Sing in the choir. Serve at events. • Third Places: As sociologist Ray Oldenburg says, these are neutral hangouts like libraries, community centers, or your local café. They’re tied to lower loneliness and better mental health. Think of Cheers: “Where everyone knows your name!” Gold Medal Tip: Your local pickleball court or knitting circle might just be your new training ground. Attitude Training: Stop Acting Your Age Here’s a radical thought: Maybe we feel old because we act old. Want to stay young? Stay curious, try new things. Try line dancing, pickleball, bird watching, improv, or learning to code. Yes, code. What was the worst advice our mothers gave us? “Act your age.” Nonsense! Whoever said, “You’re only as old as you feel” was on to something – but let’s take it up a notch: How about you’re only as old as your playlist! The Power of a Youthful Attitude in Retirement A successful retirement isn’t just about savings accounts and spreadsheets — it’s about mindset. A positive, youthful attitude is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) assets you can carry into retirement. Even if you don’t feel youthful or optimistic, “fake it ‘til you make it” is more than just a catchy phrase—it’s a strategy. The goal isn't to accurately describe your aches, fears, or fatigue but to set yourself up for success! Science backs it up: a positive outlook boosts health, sharpens cognition, and increases longevity. From a practical perspective, optimism makes it easier to try new things, adapt to change, and enjoy the present—all essential in retirement. So, if the voice in your head says, “I’m too old for that,” try responding with, “This is my time.” You begin to build because what you tell yourself matters, as does what you believe. Retirement is your reward. Approach it like the vibrant, capable, unstoppable human you are because attitude, not age, sets the tone. Gold Medal Tip: You’re only as old as the last thing you tried for the first time. Try something ridiculous, I double dare you! Final Stretch The Retirement Games are here, and let me be crystal clear: this isn’t amateur hour. This is your Olympic moment, with medals awarded for stamina, strategy, and a solid sense of humour. Whether you're rounding the first turn at 45 or doing your victory lap at 75, now is the time to train. You’ve built strength, stretched your budget, flexed your purpose muscle, assembled your dream team, and rebooted your mindset. Now it’s time to lace up, lean in, and live life to the fullest. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about preparation. You won’t achieve a podium finish through wishful thinking; you’ll attain it through action, adaptation, and a great deal of repetition. So, put on your metaphorical tracksuit (or actual tracksuit if it's laundry day) and begin training with determination. The gold medal retirement isn’t just possible—it’s within reach. Cue the confetti cannon. You’re not just aging—you’re advancing. And champions, as we know, don’t retire… they rewire, recharge, and rewrite the playbook. On Your Marks, Get Set, THRIVE! Don’t Retire … Re-Wire! Sue

Hiring More Nurses Generates Revenue for Hospitals

Underfunding is driving an acute shortage of trained nurses in hospitals and care facilities in the United States. It is the worst such shortage in more than four decades. One estimate from the American Hospital Association puts the deficit north of one million. Meanwhile, a recent survey by recruitment specialist AMN Healthcare suggests that 900,000 more nurses will drop out of the workforce by 2027. American nurses are quitting in droves, thanks to low pay and burnout as understaffing increases individual workload. This is bad news for patient outcomes. Nurses are estimated to have eight times more routine contact with patients than physicians. They shoulder the bulk of all responsibility in terms of diagnostic data collection, treatment plans, and clinical reporting. As a result, understaffing is linked to a slew of serious problems, among them increased wait times for patients in care, post-operative infections, readmission rates, and patient mortality—all of which are on the rise across the U.S. Tackling this crisis is challenging because of how nursing services are reimbursed. Most hospitals operate a payment system where services are paid for separately. Physician services are billed as separate line items, making them a revenue generator for the hospitals that employ them. But under Medicare, nursing services are charged as part of a fixed room and board fee, meaning that hospitals charge the same fee regardless of how many nurses are employed in the patient’s care. In this model, nurses end up on the other side of hospitals’ balance sheets: a labor expense rather than a source of income. For beleaguered administrators looking to sustain quality of care while minimizing costs (and maximizing profits), hiring and retaining nursing staff has arguably become something of a zero-sum game in the U.S. The Hidden Costs of Nurse Understaffing But might the balance sheet in fact be skewed in some way? Could there be potential financial losses attached to nurse understaffing that administrators should factor into their hiring and remuneration decisions? Research by Goizueta Professors Diwas KC and Donald Lee, as well as recent Goizueta PhD graduates Hao Ding 24PhD (Auburn University) and Sokol Tushe 23PhD (Muma College of Business), would suggest there are. Their new peer-reviewed publication* finds that increasing a single nurse’s workload by just one patient creates a 17% service slowdown for all other patients under that nurse’s care. Looking at the data another way, having one additional nurse on duty during the busiest shift (typically between 7am and 7pm) speeds up emergency department work and frees up capacity to treat more patients such that hospitals could be looking at a major increase in revenue. The researchers calculate that this productivity gain could equate to a net increase of $470,000 per 10,000 patient visits—and savings to the tune of $160,000 in lost earnings for the same number of patients as wait times are reduced. “A lot of the debate around nursing in the U.S. has focused on the loss of quality in care, which is hugely important,” says Diwas KC. But looking at the crisis through a productivity lens means we’re also able to understand the very real economic value that nurses bring too: the revenue increases that come with capacity gains. Diwas KC, Goizueta Foundation Term Professor of Information Systems & Operations Management “Our findings challenge the predominant thinking around nursing as a cost,” adds Lee. “What we see is that investing in nursing staff more than pays for itself in downstream financial benefits for hospitals. It is effectively a win-win-win for patients, nurses, and healthcare providers.” Nurse Load: the Biggest Impact on Productivity To get to these findings, the researchers analyzed a high-resolution dataset on patient flow through a large U.S. teaching hospital. They looked at the real-time workloads of physicians and nurses working in the emergency department between April 2018 and March 2019, factoring in variables such as patient demographics and severity of complaint or illness. Tracking patients from admission to triage and on to treatment, the researchers were able to tease out the impact that the number of nurses and physicians on duty had on patient throughput. Using a novel machine learning technique developed at Goizueta by Lee, they were able to identify the effect of increasing or reducing the workforce. The contrast between physicians and nursing staff is stark, says Tushe. “When you have fewer nurses on duty, capacity and patient throughput drops by an order of magnitude—far, far more than when reducing the number of doctors. Our results show that for every additional patient the nurse is responsible for, service speed falls by 17%. That compares to just 1.4% if you add one patient to the workload of an attending physician. In other words, nurses’ impact on productivity in the emergency department is more than eight times greater.” Boosting Revenue Through Reduced Wait Times Adding an additional nurse to the workforce, on the other hand, increases capacity appreciably. And as more patients are treated faster, hospitals can expect a concomitant uptick in revenue, says KC. “It’s well documented that cutting down wait time equates to more patients treated and more income. Previous research shows that reducing service time by 15 minutes per 30,000 patient visits translates to $1.4 million in extra revenue for a hospital.” In our study, we calculate that staffing one additional nurse in the 7am to 7pm emergency department shift reduces wait time by 23 minutes, so hospitals could be looking at an increase of $2.33 million per year. Diwas KC This far eclipses the costs associated with hiring one additional nurse, says Lee. “According to 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average nursing salary in the U.S. is $83,000. Fringe benefits account for an additional 50% of the base salary. The total cost of adding one nurse during the 7am to 7pm shift is $310,000 (for 2.5 full-time employees). When you do the math, it is clear. The net hospital gain is $2 million for the hospital in our study. Or $470,000 per 10,000 patient visits.” Incontrovertible Benefits to Hiring More Nurses These findings should provide compelling food for thought both to healthcare administrators and U.S. policymakers. For too long, the latter have fixated on the upstream costs, without exploring the downstream benefits of nursing services, say the researchers. Their study, the first to quantify the economic value of nurses in the U.S., asks “better questions,” argues Tushe; exploiting newly available data and analytics to reveal incontrovertible financial benefits that attach to hiring—and compensating—more nurses in American hospitals. We know that a lot of nurses are leaving the profession not just because of cuts and burnout, but also because of lower pay. We would say to administrators struggling to hire talented nurses to review current wage offers, because our analysis suggests that the economic surplus from hiring more nurses could be readily applied to retention pay rises also. Sokol Tushe 23PhD, Muma College of Business The Case for Mandated Ratios For state-level decision makers, Lee has additional words of advice. “In 2004, California mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals. Since then, six more states have added some form of minimum ratio requirement. The evidence is that this has been beneficial to patient outcomes and nurse job satisfaction. Our research now adds an economic dimension to the list of benefits as well. Ipso facto, policymakers ought to consider wider adoption of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.” However, decision makers go about tackling the shortage of nurses in the U.S., they should go about it fast and soon, says KC. “This is a healthcare crisis that is only set to become more acute in the near future. As our demographics shift and our population starts again out, demand for quality will increase. So too must the supply of care capacity. But what we are seeing is the nursing staffing situation in the U.S. moving in the opposite direction. All of this is manifesting in the emergency department. That’s where wait times are getting longer, mistakes are being made, and overworked nurses are quitting. It is creating a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.” Diwas Diwas KC is a professor of information systems & operations management and Donald Lee is an associate professor of information systems & operations management. Both experts are available to speak about this important topic - simply click on either icon now to arrange an interview today.