Corb7 International April 1, 2020 Newsletter

International Business

Feature

Editor’s Note

Watch for COVID-19 Scams!

The outbreak of COVID-19 throughout the world in March 2020 has inevitably resulted in scams run by criminals trying to profit from the pandemic.  As such, we thought it a good idea to pass along an excerpt from a Los Angeles County media release which is applicable no matter where your reside.

Fraud schemes designed to prey on the vulnerable in the midst of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Reports of malicious websites, email schemes, and suspicious links have come to the attention of law enforcement and public officials.

“Malicious actors can prey upon those that are distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and use it to their advantage,” stated Los Angeles County Chief Information Officer William Kehoe. “The public needs to be mindful and careful, and avoid websites, phishing emails, and scams that engage people through false information about the health crisis, and steal personal user information and data. By clicking on fraudulent weblinks, hackers can deliver malware and then gain access to passwords, browsing information, credit card numbers, and other personal information. We all need to stay vigilant.”

Currently, there are several Coronavirus tracking and mapping sites that are actually malware websites. Instead of clicking on these links, cybersecurity experts advise that website users should instead hover over the link to verify the uniform resource locator (URL) before moving forward. Online hackers may also send users emails from fraudulent accounts impersonating official websites and doctors, or offering medical supplies and services.

The following is a list of safety tips the public can follow:

– Avoid online advertising offers related to COVID-19 

– Decline door-to-door solicitations claiming COVID-19 fundraising 

– Do not click on emails and attachments that you do not recognize

– Visit trusted websites for COVID-19 related information

Everyone should remain vigilant and take these steps to avoid being victimized by malicious scammers trying to profit from the COVID-19 crisis. If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the information to local law enforcement.

International Business

Business Psychology

Don’t Be a Victim!

For the second week in a row, we thought to go back to Dr. Selk’s YouTube channel for his current insights.  In these days of uncertainty, keeping an upbeat and positive attitude both personally and professionally is a challenge.  That is why we offer the video above from Dr. Jason Selk.   Dr. Jason Selk is considered to be one of the top performance coaches in the United States. From well-known professional and Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 executives and organizations, Dr. Selk has trained individuals and teams to develop the mental toughness necessary for high-level success.  We have personally had the opportunity to meet and talk with him on several occasions and found him to be very genuine and insightful in his approach to achieving excellence. We hope you find this video to be as timely as we did.

International Business

Business Tools

Challenges of Going Remote!

The number of professionals working remotely has risen dramatically over the last decade-plus. According to an analysis from Flexjobs and Global Workplace Analytics, there was a 159 percent increase in remote between 2005 and 2017.

That shift toward remote work might have been silent and gradual for much of the 21st century, but the volume was ramped up during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the United States in March 2020. In an effort to slow the spread of the potentially dangerous virus, government officials urged businesses to allow their employees to work remotely, and just like that the number of remote workers skyrocketed.

The internet has made it possible for businesses in various industries to go remote, but such a transition does have some unique challenges.

· Software: Hasty transitions to remote work, like those forced by the COVID-19 outbreak, created a crisis of sorts for companies that previously had not had many remote employees. Employees were suddenly asked to work on home computers that may or may not have had all the necessary applications for them to perform the daily tasks associated with their jobs. Companies that must transition to being remote, whether that transition is temporary or permanent, must recognize that remote employees will need access to software necessary to do their jobs. Workers who only have old computers at home may need to be provided with computers that are compatible with the versions of software used in the office.

· Communication: Communication issues between remote workers can be an easy fix. Even businesses that are facing sudden and forced transitions to remote workerplaces can utilize instant messaging apps like Slack to facilitate immediate communication between employees. This can drive greater efficiency and promote the sense of community among staff that many companies are proud to have fostered.

· Customer service: Ensuring customers can seamlessly connect with your business, and your customer service staff in particular, should be a priority when switching to a remote work setting. A 2014 study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics even found that remote working allowed customer service staff to get through 13 percent more calls each day. Remote customer service employees won’t have the direct access to management and fellow team members that they had when working on-site, so business owners can employ central management platforms that make it easy to access information regarding new products and services and previous interactions with and responses to customers. That access can help solve issues while reducing the likelihood of substantial lag time as customer service employees wait to hear from coworkers and managers about how to respond to certain issues.

Many businesses were thrown into the proverbial deep end when forced to go remote due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Challenges present themselves during such transitions, but these challenges can be overcome with a handful of effective strategies.

Tips for Working at Home:

NPR: 8 Tips To Make Working From Home Work For You
Business Insider | SUCEEDING FROM HOME: Here’s Exactly How To Thrive As A Remote Worker In The Days Of Coronavirus
CBS: Tips For Working From Home During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Lifestyle

Executive Fitness

10 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid Training at Home!

When unforeseen consequences compromise your ability to stick to your normal workout routine, working out at home might be your only option. The video above offers a handful of mistakes to avoid.

Lifestyle

International Spirits & Cuisine

Food Delivered to Your Front Door

Local restaurants need your support but here is a list of some other delivery services that you might not think about.

Grocery Delivery Services:

Amazon
Instacart
Wal-Mart Grocery Delivery
Omaha Steaks

Food Delivery Services:

Uber Eats
DoorDash
GrubHub
Postmates

Lifestyle

Leisure

Relaxing Hobbies to Explore!

Currently, most everyone is under lock-down and seems to be online.  As a result, broadband speeds are dropping and internet interruptions are more frequent which ironically just happened to me while I was writing this insert.

Stress is a part of many people’s daily lives. A recent survey from the American Psychological Association found that 44 percent of Americans feel their stress levels have increased over the past five years and that was before COVID-19.  Children also are struggling, with almost a one-third reporting that they have experienced a health symptom associated with stress, such as stomach aches, trouble sleeping and headaches.

Calming activities that can tone down the body’s stress responses are great ways to alleviate stress. Summertime is an ideal time of the year to embrace relaxing activities because the hustle and bustle of everyday life tends to slow down during the summer, when kids are out of school and vacations are on the docket. These hobbies and other interests can help tame stress by promoting calm.

· Listen to and/or play music. Music can be energizing or calming, depending on which music you choose. Researchers at Stanford University found that rhythmic music may have therapeutic effects for treating a range of neurological conditions, as it stimulates the brain and can perhaps change how it functions. Familiar melodies and gentle music can reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol.

· Gardening: Gardening lets a person tend to living things while getting some fresh air. Both the sunlight and the activity itself can be soothing and have a positive effect on mood. A study from the Journal of Health Psychology found that gardening, like listening to music, lowers cortisol levels.

· Grab a good book. Taking the time to unwind and read can help ease tension in the muscles, lower one’s heart rate and induce calm. Research from the consultancy Mindlab International at the University of Sussex found reading reduced stress levels by 68 percent.

· Start painting or crafting. Engaging in a creative hobby sharpens the mind and improves focus. You may also want to try focusing emotions onto the canvas to help release tension. A 2014 study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that 81.5 percent of respondents with depression reported feeling happy after knitting.

· Take a dance class. A form of art and music, dancing can promote well-being through exercise and expansion of creative ability. It also can be good for the mind. A study from Swedish researchers that was published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that a dancing intervention program, twice weekly for eight months, helped teenage girls struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems.

Many relaxing activities can tame stress, and these activities can be perfect for the stressful days we are all experiencing.

Business Services

Business Acquisitions

ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES:

* 112 Year-Old Vintage US Corporation
Established in the year 1908
Price $207,800
Interested Parties Call: +1-310-415-3545

* 26 Year-Old Vintage US Corporation
Established in the year 1956
Price $39,500

* 1974 Swiss Trust Company
Established 1974
Place of Incorporation Zurich, Switzerland
Interested Parties Call for Details & Price: +1-310-415-3545 

For Details on these listings,  Explore Additional Opportunities or Complimentary Consultation:

Call:  +1-310-601-3115 (Beverly Hills Office)
 or
Email: contact@corb7.com