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The article mentions the popularity of the luxurious wool cashmere which comes from the Asian mountain goat, chyangra. Karl Spilhaus, president of the Boston-based Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute, says "It's probably the finest animal fibre that's really in commercial production. It is also a finite resource--less than 20,000 tons annually--so you can't find a bargain in cashmere, any more than you could in gold or diamonds." The wool also makes great men's clothing. "The most common items are the cashmere sweater, the cashmere scarf and the cashmere sports blazer," says Larry Rosen, chairman and CEO of Canadian men's wear retailer Harry Rosen. Cashmere is so universally associated with luxury that it seems marketers will try to tie any product in with its allure. In 1999, Canadian paint company Sico Inc. launched a high-end interior latex line called Cashmere. Last year, Scott Paper launched a new toilet paper called Cashmere from Cottonelle. The company commissioned eight Canadian designers to come up with the "White Cashmere" collection for the launch of the toilet paper last August, their extravagant one-off runway creations got plenty of attention. Scott Paper now plans to change its brand name from Cottonelle to Cashmere by 2007. Toronto designer Tam Boyko of Heaven Cashmere was one of the contributing designers. Her shawl-collared women's wrap cardigan is the only piece from last year's White Cashmere collection that's available for sale.

The article discusses workplace bullying. As schoolyardish as it may sound, workplace bullying is a range of behaviour that breaks down the mental and physical health of its target. Apart from compassion, the reason executives should care is that workplace bullying dismantles teamwork, hamstrings efficiency, hobbles productivity and, ultimately, costs money. Researchers like Gary Namie of the Bellingham, Wash.-based Workplace Bullying & Trauma Institute find that women are somewhat more likely to bully than men, and far more likely to be bullied. Often, he says, "the co-workers are somehow allowed to construe events as the target's fault." Something of a bullying guru, Namie got into the field after his wife, Ruth Namie, a clinical psychologist, suffered at the hands of a workplace bully. The couple's work is documented both on their website and in their 2003 book, The Bully at Work. Marje Burdine, a Vancouver-based organizational consultant, finds that bullying often affects people at high levels of responsibility and that a junior employee can bully a supervisor. One step toward addressing the issue is through legislation. Australia has included measures that specifically or indirectly address bullying in several pieces of legislation, as have Norway, Britain and France. Quebec is the first jurisdiction in North America to do so. Brought into force in June, section 81.18 of that province's Labour Standards Act defines "psychological harassment at work" as "vexatious behaviour that manifests itself in the form of conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures" that are repetitive, hostile and unwanted. Beginning about 10 years ago, management of British Columbia Rapid Transit Co. Ltd. (SkyTrain) and CUPE Local 7000 worked together for more than a year of policy drafting and focus groups to create a "respectful" workplace program and policy, with broad input from employees.

The article reports that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a part of the United Nations, stopped virtually all legal export of beluga, osetra and sevruga caviar from the Caspian Sea in Russia and Iran. The roe, fish eggs, are harvested from the bellies of wild sturgeon, which have to be killed. As a result, stocks have been greatly reduced.

The article focuses on the billiards industry. Rick Williams, owner of Academy of Spherical Arts in Toronto, comments on the price range for antique pool tables. Information is given about the history of billiard tables, the American pocket billiard table, and the standard snooker cue. The companies Diamond Billiard Products Inc., Olhausen Billiard Mfg. Inc., Thurston, De Roo, and others are mentioned in the article.

The article discusses business continuity planning and disaster recovery. There are ten ideas that help assess your company's state of readiness for any disruption. They include whether or not there is a plan and if it is tailor-made or off-the-rack. You need to know what the crucial functions are to determine if the plan is accurate. Some records have a natural backup because they are already kept in at least two extra copies in different locations in the natural course of doing business. It's good to know which individuals possess unique knowledge and skills; but it's even better to document the information. Be prepared by regularly testing the plan. Problems can arise when organizations permit business units to construct their own systems that the IT department is not aware of. Round-the-clock access to recovery tools is important. Assumptions can be incorporated into plans. Question whether suppliers are prepared and have business continuity capability.

The article mentions several companies selling cold-weather clothing. The founder of Toronto's Fathom Expeditions Inc., Dave German arranges luxurious Antarctic excursions. He recommends a three-layer approach for clothing, beginning with mid-weight long underwear--ideally made of Capilene--and liner socks. Next come mid-weight fleece and expedition-weight Polartec socks. Unlike cotton, these types of high-tech fabrics wick moisture away from the body, which is vital for maintaining warmth. The third layer, the outer shell, is "critical," German emphasizes. "We still believe in Gore-Tex, or a similar coating, that allows moisture to escape and still keeps you warm." Outer garments should be lightweight and made with leak-proof seams and zippers. German's top choices are the Six chuter jacket and bib pants (about $500 per piece) from California's enviro-conscious Patagonia clothing company. As for footwear, German turns to Canadian-founded Sorel. German recommends the Glacier Boot ($129.99) rated to -74°C. Finally, German adds Black Diamond Equipment patrol gloves ($105) and an Andean-style Teton hat ($45) from Alberta's Ambler Mountain Works. Shelley Kieran of Kleinburg, Ont., discovered in February 1997 when she ran a marathon in Antarctica that she needed a lighter outfit. Kieran's layering started with silk long underwear, then Pearl Izumi's laser top ($70), followed by a Patagonia long-sleeved fleece like the Synchilla Marsupial ($90) and topped with a Pearl Izumi catch jacket ($240). Those committed to buying Canadian will enjoy the story of Arc'teryx Equipment Inc. What began as a designer of high-tech climbing tackle now creates a full range of extremely high-end outdoor clothing.

The article offers examples of model mentoring programs and gives advice for implementing them. Many Canadian businesses have created formal programs only within the past few years, as part of a general drive to replace senior managers as boomers retire, and to compete for the best young recruits. Businesses are now using mentorship to hone top talent, to broaden staff skills and especially to integrate new people into the organization. Mentoring programs must address specific business objectives and have top-level support. Management Consultant Cy Charney of Charney & Associates Inc. in Toronto believes that good mentors are trained, not born. "A mentor is different from a manager," says William Pallett, senior vice-president of people and quality for Delta Hotels in Toronto. As he sees it, a good mentor is "someone who can help sort out the political realities of the organization."

Offers ten tips for public speaking and making business presentations. Topics include attitude, nervousness, hostile audience members, clothing and handouts; What speakers should know about the dynamics of the room; The best time of day to make a speech.

The article focuses on razors and shaving sets. Not so very long ago, shaving was the realm of the specialist. The barber (who often doubled as a surgeon) was the only one considered qualified to wield a sharpened steel blade near someone else's jugular. But since 1904, when American mogul King C. Gillette patented the safety razor with disposable blades, men haven't looked back. Thankfully, the modest safety razor has recently morphed into a dazzling variety of forms worthy of the most discriminating men. When it comes to shaving, there are a few basic choices: wet or dry, safety or straight. In the quest for the very best shave, most men would agree that wet shaving is superior. "Wet shaving is having a renaissance," reports Philip Watterson, managing director of Progress Vulfix Ltd. on the Isle of Man, the company that makes the renowned Vulfix line of shaving equipment. Besides Vulfix, some of the other names in high-quality brushes are Merkur and Rainer Dittmar of Germany, and Edwin Jagger of England. Dovo is the world's largest maker of straight razors and offers handles of bone, buffalo horn, ebony, mother-of-pearl and Micarta ivory--which can be found at retailers of high-end men's accessories. A few final tips, then: shave with--not against--the grain; rinse the face with the hottest water and the razor with the coldest; and never ding your blade on a hard surface (even its own handle), lest you take the edge off its performance. For that, surely, would be the unkindest cut.

The article focuses on ten ways to survive and thrive in corporate culture. Inevitably, everyone who functions in a group with a well-defined dominance structure faces the occasional rough patch due to a competitive colleague, a misunderstanding, a workplace bully or a genuine false step. A roster of experts in human and animal hierarchical behaviour offers some suggestions about what to do when you've got your back to the office wall. "You've got to compel co-workers to support you," says Bellingham, Wash.-based consultant Gary Namie, author of The Bully at Work. "There are always options, and there are always more than two options," notes Susan Dunn of San Antonio, who, because of her work in the area of emotional intelligence, bills herself as the EQ Coach. She recommends sources such as the International Coach Federation and the virtual community of Coachville. Positive language can build hope and even redefine a bad situation. If you refrain from using words such as "fault," "blame," "shame" and "failure," others will be less likely to perceive the situation in those terms. "The rule in communication is to assume you've been misunderstood," says Dunn. It's crucial for speakers to check what listeners think they've said and for listeners to repeat back what they think they've heard. Generally, the first place to begin to resolve personality conflicts is one-on-one, at your own level. However, in the case of a truly toxic situation involving a manager, you must go at least two management levels above the source of the problem to find impartial help. A 2003 survey by Workplace Bullying & Trauma Institute reports that of 1,000 volunteer respondents who say they were the target of bullying at work, 33% quit their jobs, another 17% transferred to a different position under the same employer, while a further 37% were fired or involuntarily terminated.

The article discusses ten behavioral-based or competency-based interview questions for executive candidates, along with comments from Jan Stewart of EgonZehnder International Inc. and Arlene Russell of Scotiabank. Tell us about a best-in-class standard or practice that you've introduced. This is a high-level question designed to unearth strong competency in results orientation. Describe a situation when a subordinate was able to change your mind on a particular course of action. This question helps identify a candidate who excels in team leadership. Human rights legislation prohibits questioning designed to reveal personal information about such areas as racial heritage and sexual orientation. But employers shouldn't think they need to shy away from all questions that let the candidate talk about life outside the office.

The article reports that face-to-face communication is essential to business development. Ideas and networks build up over casual conversation. Tips to foster communication at work include: encouraging conversation, creating time for casual meetings, creating excuses to chat, creating opportunities for conversation, like a corporate art collection.

The article presents suggestions for men's fashions in summer 2006. Lightweight fabrics like linen will ensure that men stay comfortable during the summer heat, and the upcoming release of "Miami Vice," directed by Michael Mann and starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx is expected to have an influence on fashion.

This article presents information on a Hungarian wine called Tokaji named for the area of Tokaj where the vineyards are located. The most well-known wine from Tokaj is called Tokaji aszu and it has been produced for more than 400 years. Legend tells that it was discovered by accident in1630 when grapes weren't picked at their peak because of a war. The partially rotten grapes were made into a delicious wine. Author George Jonas and master sommelier John Szabo appreciate the Tokaji wines. INSET: Is it Tokaji?.

The article looks at how many businesses are mobilizing staff to sign, stamp and send a barrage of greeting cards to clients and colleagues. The author reviews how the cards can represent a significant bite of company's client-relations budget. The article includes comments on the issue from Tony Elenis, general manager of the Holiday Inn Select Toronto Airport. The importance of the corporate holiday greeting is discussed.

Discusses language training for executives in Canada. Idea that the David Lam Centre specializes in high-level language training for business; The objectives of the École de langues de l'Estrie; The extent of instruction at the Canadian Foreign Service Institute's Centre for Language Training; The price of Berlitz's corporate and individual instruction programs; Advice from Joan Rubin, co-author of "How to Be a More Successful Language Learner," on deciding which program will be most effective.

Focuses on the hat brand created by John B. Stetson. Hats made by Smithbilt, a Calgary company founded in 1919; The inspiration for Stetson's white cowboy hat; Comment of master hatter Bill Olsen who works at Smithbilt; The tradition of hats at the Calgary Stampede event; How fur hats are graded; Popular hats made by Resistol; Stetson's most successful hat; Description of hats and their prices; Hat companies favored by executives Cam Clark and J.C. Anderson.

Discusses the history, tradition, and durability of tweed fabric. How famous fashion designers, including Jimmy Choo, has used tweed; The meaning of the term "tweed" which was originally from Scotland; Certification of the fabric by the Harris Tweed Authority with its logo; The design characteristics of classic tweed coats; Fees charged by Harry Rosen in Canada for handmade tweed pieces; The price of Country Harris and Sporting British Wool Tweed jackets.

This article focuses on Armagnac, a brand of cognac, which is created using white wine grapes like Baco Blanc, Colombard, Ugni Blanc and especially Folle Blanche, nurtured in any one of several different soil types, ranging from the silt and sand of Bas-Armagnac to the clay and lime of L'Armagnac-Tenarèze. In the Middle Ages, the people of Gascony already knew how to raise the alcohol content and flavour of their modest, rather acidic wine by distillation.

This article reports on the debate between the U.S. Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism measure, and individual freedom and public safety. For business, a salient point is that the act makes it much easier for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to demand personal information about customers from such organizations as financial institutions, telephone companies and Internet service providers. Last September, CIBC notified its Visa cardholders that their account and transaction records were open to scrutiny under U.S. law, since the bank uses a U.S.-based company to handle some processes.

The article focuses on magician David Ben. He holds a master's degree in law from the London School of Economics, specializing in international tax, intellectual property and international finance. Ben moves in an informal fraternity of senior execs with lots of leadership savvy and a fascination with the ancient art of legerdemain. He also spends a considerable portion of his time teaching others how they can use the tools of magicians, mind readers and mediums to prosper in business. Ben holds a U.S. green card, has an apartment in Manhattan and travels often. Between gigs, he's founding a project called Magic Hands that pairs magic with disadvantaged youth through his not-for-profit corporation, Magicana (www.magicana.com). He's also designing a museum exhibit on the renowned conjuror Dai Vernon--known as the Man Who Fooled Houdini--who was born in Ottawa in 1894. He has written a book called Advantage Play: The Manager's Guide to Creative Problem Solving.

The article focuses on Toronto firm, Moriyama & Teshima Planners Ltd., and describes a reclamation project in Saudi Arabia. In the desert landscape of Saudi Arabia, the watercourse named Wadi Hanifah has for centuries been the lifeblood of the city of Riyadh. But urban waste has fouled much of the 120-kilometre-long river, turning it into a toxic eyesore. When the Saudi government went looking for help to restore the Wadi Hanifah, they found it in Moriyama & Teshima. The firm has partnered with the British engineering company Buro Happold on a massive $207-million project to clean up the polluted waterway and transform its barren banks into public parklands. Afterward, the Saudi Ar-Riyadh Development Authority invited George Stockton, a landscape architect with the firm, to participate in an international think tank on the future of Riyadh, whose population is expected to expand to 12 million from five million within the next 25 years. Stockton and the firm's executive vice-president, Drew Wensley, found themselves charged with a tight deadline to bring in a master plan covering 4,500 square kilometres of terrain. Their solution to the Wadi Hanifah problem combines natural processes and new technologies. The cost is about one-third of a standard water treatment plant. After the initial cleanup, which may take a year, water can be channeled into irrigation systems, promising the startup of new agricultural enterprises. Additional economic spinoff will come from real estate and tourism growth. Moriyama & Teshima has been retained to continue into the building phase of the project, now at the midpoint of a projected two-year program.

The article offers tips about collecting business cards and social networking. Lynne O'Neill, vice-president at Extraordinary Conversations Inc., recommends limiting targets to 12 specific people. Marc-David Seidel, associate professor of commerce at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, says best results come from dissimilar people's encounters. Other advice is to take notes, follow through, and stay in touch.

The article discusses the construction of the Jean Canfield Government of Canada Building in Charlottetown, Canada. The building is recognized as one of the nation's most environmentally progressive projects and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2007. The architects working on the edifice are Bergmark Guimond Hammerlund Jones and HOK Canada Inc.

The article reports on a shortage of long distance truck drivers in Canada. Statistics Canada reported that 18% of Canadian truck drivers are 55 or older. The industry has failed to attract young drivers, due in part to the low pay, the extended periods of time on the road, and the lack of insurance for cross-border driving for those under 25. The problem is already having an effect on the supply chain, according to Jim Mickey, general manager of Coastal Pacific XPress, a firm based in Surrey, British Columbia.