The most striking aspect of obsolescence today is its suddenness.Regardless of size, assets. or prestige, a company can be prospering one day and faced with ruin the next. The only insurance against this threat is creative talent.Men of originality cannot be developed en masse. Rather, they search out for themselves the source of knowledge and skills they need for their growth. Above all, they search for a creative leader who can coach them by example.

The message for business is clear. The companies that survive will be those that learn quickest how to discover and encourage the growth of originators. In particular, they will be companies whose managers foster enquiry and demonstate originality in their decision- making. the message for an person who aspires to leadership is also clear. It is no longer enough to have a college degree, to be conscientious on the job, and to work hard. To achieve and hold a position of leadership in this fast moving age a person must spend a part of every day in self-development. They will need to add continuously to their resources of knowledge and skill. To do this an individual cannot afford to be a spendthrift of time. They must learn to guard it with resolution, to handle it with percision, and to invest it with acumen. 

Matt Thornhill, founder of consulting firm The Boomer Project, which helps businesses reach adults born between 1946 and 1964, says it’s time for marketers to recalibrate their thinking about marketing to older adults. Boomers are a dynamic group that’s much more open to new experiences and brands than previous generations of older adults have been. Stephanie Lakhani found that to be true at her upscale Breathe Wellness Spasin Boise, Idaho. Catering primarily to boomers, the two spas bring in about $1.2 million per year. She says boomers are an excellent target, with disposable income and a tendency to refer business. “They expect perfect service,” says Lakhani, 35, who adds, “They tend to travel and buy in groups, so giving them an incentive to refer a friend in the form of an upgrade or a thank you [gesture] works very well. They are also very responsive to direct mail.”

Thornhill adds that marketers should target boomers by what they’re doing instead of how old they are. “Boomers are living such cyclical lives. In their 40s or 50s, they could be going back to college, be empty nesters or be married a second time and raising a young family,” he explains. “You wouldn’t sell the same vacation package to all these people. So pick the lifestyle segment you’re targeting, and focus on that.”

Born in McCamey, Texas, Dan Seals was the brother of Jim Seals, of the hit pop duo Seals and Crofts. The younger Seals soon followed in his brother’s footsteps, forming a singing partnership with John Ford Coley. The duo scored a number of hit singles on the pop chart throughout the ’70s as England Dan and John Ford Coley, including the No. 2 hit, ‘I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,’ and a Top 10 cover of Todd Rundgren’s ‘Love Is the Answer.’

In 1980, Seals signed as a solo country-pop artist with Atlantic Records, and in 1983, turned his attention solely to country music, signing with Nashville’s Liberty/Capitol label. In 1984, he began an impressive streak of 16 Top 10 country hits, starting with ‘God Must Be a Cowboy.’ In 1985, he scored the first of 11 No. 1 country songs, with ‘Meet Me in Montana,’ a duet with Marie Osmond. Other chart-topping hits included ‘Addicted,’ ‘You Still Move Me’ and the pop crossover hit, ‘Bop,’ which was the CMA’s Single of the Year in 1986.

Like his brother, Seals was a member of the Bahá’í faith. He was a cousin of the late country singer Johnny Duncan, and also a cousin of songwriter Troy Seals and former Little Texas singer Brady Seals. He is also survived by wife Andrea, three sons and a daughter, as well as his mother, two brothers and sister.

       The crooner was on hand Friday as his former back up group was honored in a ceremony that included one-time labelmates Stevie Wonder and Mary Wilson of the original Supremes, as well as Motown founder Berry Gordy.      

       “I’ve had a star for the last 20 years or so, and it is way, way, way, way overdue” for The Miracles, Robinson told the crowd, according to the Associated Press.   

      According to Ron Brewington, National Vice President, Motown Alumni Association (MAA), his organization was the sponsor for the Miracles getting their star.   

Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, Claudette Robinson and Ronnie White hold thier star plaques after the their induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (photo by Tony Ross) For more pictures from the ceremony, from Ian Foxx, go here.

       A number of events this year mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary Motown record label. Last week in Detroit, Gordy and Robinson joined the “American Idol” finalists to tape a segment set to air on Wednesday.

      “Idol’s” Motown Week will culminate with a duet between Robinson and the show’s season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. The pair will perform on the results show, which moves from Wednesday to Thursday this week to accommodate President Obama’s Tuesday press conference. “Idol’s” performance show moves from Tuesday to Wednesday night.

Valerie Bertinelli Spills Swimsuit Secrets: Vows Jenny Craig Forever (Image: Wenn)

“I told someone the other day that even when I am not their spokesperson anymore — which I hope never happens — I’m going to stay on Jenny Craig forever,” she tells In Touch in a report out this week.

“I want my consultant Kathy Brumwell to stay in my life. We have a really great relationship and she gives me lots of tips. She helps me stay grounded and feel like I’m not drowning anymore.” 

Valerie, 48, was in New York to promote the myidealsize.com contest, whose winner she will co-star with in a Jenny Craig commercial. Valerie, who surfs in one of the ads, says her favorite foods on the program are chicken fajitas and cheese curls.