Corb7 International February 2nd, 2022 Newsletter

International Business 

Editor's Note

Let Some Fires Burn

The cops arrived at the front door of the college fraternity house around 10:00 PM.

They were looking for its president. It was a warm fall evening that often makes the Northeastern United States a wonderful place to be. The post football game party was going full throttle. Beer was flowing and apparently sparks from the flames of the backyard pig roast had gotten the neighbors’ attention. It was 1979, the sparks had reached the second story, and the fraternity president was yours truly.

Oh, well, live and learn and it was a very different time. The police politely asked us to put the fire out and we complied. One simple (but too large) fire and it was quickly extinguished. Ahhh…but what if in the wisdom of our youth we had decided to have a dozen or so roasts going at the same time. This then becomes a little different matter, more than likely a forest fire. At some mathematical point between 1 and 12, solving the problem of controlling and then eventually putting out the fires becomes impossible.

This leads us to our quandary. One of the most common problems that entrepreneurs must do battle with is their own need to control everything. Half a dozen to dozen problems (fires) going at the same time is not rare. Sound familiar? Trying to control more than you can; leads to burnout, anger and often regret. And if you, in the wisdom of YOUR years, are saying … “yeah but”… you are no doubt a business owner. Welcome! The good news is there is hope.

Let’s continue with our fire analogy. Have you ever really considered that some fires, left to their own means, will burn themselves out? This might be hard to believe but it is true. These are problems that you may have no influence over, or they may be too large at first to properly handle. If you actually visualize fires burning, it may help you understand that YOU can only be stretched so far. We are discussing much more than mere prioritization. The battle is not whether an item is an “A, B or C” priority. You and I know that EVERYTHING is an “A” priority. Our goal is to take this to a deeper level that translates to peace of mind.

I have been told that in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) the Serenity Prayer is used for just this type of purpose. Even if you are not religious, choosing to eliminate the term God can make this a viable tool. So let’s give it a shot…”grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

If you use both these tools, the visualization of multiple fires and the Serenity Prayer, maybe you can better focus on those issues that are most important. You may also be more prepared to run the race of life, which after all is a marathon, not a sprint.  If COVID has taught us anything, it is that we can only control so much. Perhaps that is enough. 

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International Business 

Business Psychology

Tips to Keep Work Stress Away from Home

The lines between work and home life can easily become blurred. Such lines became even more blurry during the pandemic, when many children did not attend school in person while their parents worked from home exclusively. Such situations made it hard for everyone to differentiate between working hours and family time.

Prior to the pandemic, many professionals had already begun to check emails while on vacation, whiles others fielded questions from the office on sick days. Stress comes with the territory for many working professionals, and that stress has the potential to trickle down into family life if parents are not careful.

According to the Australian Psychological Society's "Stress and Well-being Report," 31 percent of people cite work as a leading cause of stress. In addition, 92 percent of all serious work-related mental health condition claims were attributed to mental stress. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America indicates 40 percent of people experience persistent stress or excessive anxiety in their daily lives, much of which is attributed to work.

Each profession has its share of stress-inducing situations, and no parent wants to bring work-related stress home at the end of a long day at the office. The following are a handful of strategies parents can embrace as they try to keep work-related stress from affecting their home life.

· Create a buffer zone. Heading straight home with stressful problems still on your mind may result in taking those problems out on the family. If you repeatedly leave work feeling stress or anxiety, build in an opportunity to unwind between work and home. Consider heading to the gym for an hour or taking a walk in a park to calm down. Make sure children and your spouse realize this decompression time is about ensuring stress does not come home with you at the end of the day.

· Create a routine for disconnecting. If you go home directly after work, create a system to calm down and unwind there. Sena Moran, a Florida-based mental health counselor, suggests mindful breathing, listening to relaxing music or some other activity that creates a system for disconnecting from work.

· Turn off notifications. When you're home, focus on home and avoid work. That may require turning off work email notifications on your phone or putting a company laptop away and out of sight.

· Build more exercise into your day. A study by researchers at the University of Florida found participants who took at least 10,900 steps each day were less likely to take out stress on family members compared to participants who took only 7,000 steps. Exercise can help reduce stress and releases feel-good endorphins. Exercise paired with adequate sleep can improve self-regulation skills.

· Try a new job. While not an answer for everyone, moving on to a new career or even a different position can tame work-related stress and help improve relationships at home. Some people find scaling back hours may help them find balance as well.

Stress at work doesn't have to come home at the end of each day. Various strategies can ensure stress stays at the office. 

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International Business 

Cross-Border Business

Antigua & Barbuda a Hidden Treasure

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth country comprising its 2 namesake islands and several smaller ones. Positioned where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet, it's known for reef-lined beaches, rain-forests and resorts. Its English Harbor is a yachting hub and the site of historic Nelson's Dockyard. In the capital, St. John's, the national museum displays indigenous and colonial artifacts .Whether a small or large enterprise, business owners seeking to conduct business in Antigua and Barbuda must register their business. Antigua & Barbuda have welcomed offshore banking since 1982.  One noteworthy statutory requirement is that Offshore Banks must maintain a minimum capital of US$5 million. Of this amount, US$1.5 million must be deposited and kept in a bank licensed to do business in Antigua and Barbuda. 

Major events:  In January of 2016, Antigua and Barbuda agreed to abolish personal income tax.

Antigua and Barbuda
Location:  Eastern Caribbean Sea, 250 miles SE of Puerto Rico
Capital City:  St. Johns
Population:  82,000 (2008)
Language Spoken:  English
International Time:  EST + 1 hour
Airline Service:  Continental, Delta, American, US Airways, Windward Islands AIR
Currency:  Eastern Caribbean Dollar EC$2.70 = US$1
Type of Government:  Independent Parliamentary Representative Democracy
Main industries:  Tourism, manufacturing and international banking
OECD:  Approved
FATF:  Member CFATF 

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International Business

Business Tools

 Understanding Special Purposes Vehicles

Special Purpose Vehicles:

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a financial entity created for the purpose of fulfilling a very specific or temporary objective. It is separated from the sponsoring or parent company and may be controlled by several companies working together.  SPVs are typically used by companies to isolate the firm from financial risk.  A company will transfer assets to the entity for management or to finance a large project thereby achieving a narrow set of goals without putting the entire firm at risk.  In certain jurisdictions, specific ownership percentages may be required.   Jurisdictions of Preference:

• Ireland
• Jersey    

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International Business   

Business Etiquette

Best Etiquette Practices for 2022

by Candace Smith
The Etiquette Blog
Etiquette for the Business of Life

The subject of current etiquette best practices is fresh in mind.  Having just returned from my first in-person conference attended since early in 2020, I observed what seemed obvious: that most of us are in a period of Cautious Re-start. Do we shake hands, wear masks, socially distance, inquire if someone is vaccinated?  

Many of us found ourselves hesitant during interactions, as internally we were conducting our own Q&A's to determine if we were doing the right thing as we met up and greeted one another.  Isolation mode, the prevalent mode of politeness during the pandemic, had left its marks.  We want ourselves and others to feel safe, and we aren't sure what it looks like to behave recognizably respectful.

Take Charge of Your Etiquette Best Practices

We are in charge of our own etiquette best practices. You are not compelled to perform – if you or someone else offers a hand to shake, the other person may or may not reply in kind.  We should be careful how we read others' behavior.  

At my most recent conference event, one person announced as she entered our circle that she was vaccinated but was still not giving hugs or handshakes and that she was glad to see us all. Another person replied, “Ditto.”  Clear communication of boundary expectations seemed to add comfort, if not humor, to the conversation. 

Requirements exist in some stores, offices and public places and should be observed, but we are on our own again as we interact with others socially.  Testing our comfort levels for interactions such as shaking hands, hugging, walking through a crowded room or place of business, is bound to keep social hesitancy in the room for a while. 

Norms will continue to adapt and, social creatures that we are, we’re good at moving with the change.  Being mindfully etiquette-ful gives us the personal comfort of knowing what we should expect from ourselves in social situations.  We’re forming and re-forming guidelines as we go along, and we expect and hope that others will do the same.

Vaccinations as a Conversation Topic

Having  a good conversation topic list in mind, tucked in your mental or real pocket ahead of time, is a great practice, especially when the subject of vaccinations is mentioned.

If the subject of vaccines is important to you – and this makes sense especially for those with compromised immunity – it is appropriate to inquire about the status of people with whom you will be spending time in close proximity and to decide on how you wish to proceed.  

During my recent conference outing and associated cocktail gatherings, the vaccination subject seemed to come up almost as a feeler to determine where and how long the conversation would last. Bottom line, if conversations occur, the polite thing to do is to let go of stating judgment about others.  A good conversation should begin and end on a positive note.

A New Normal

The operating assumption for mask-wearing is that when people have them on they are more comfortable wearing one and want those around them to be at ease. 

Handshakes are so engrained in our culture that it’s hard to imagine they won’t return in full at some point.  However, the pandemic practice of not shaking hands has reinforced the idea that there are other forms of greetings.  And we are all noticing how important good eye contact is as a part of our greetings. 

Loosely holding assumptions rather than judgments allows everyone to go about their business at their own pace.  The foundation of etiquette is being mindful of the needs of others and this will remain as a best practice of civility. 

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Lifestyle

Executive Fitness

The Benefits of Circuit Training

by Nancy Hovde
Life Empowerment Coach
UberEmpowerment.com

Business professionals value their time as much as their health and can benefit from circuit training. When you are feeling good both physically and mentally, there is a good chance that you will notice Improvement in job performance and satisfaction.
 
Circuit training is by far one of my favorite types of workouts. So, just what is circuit training? It is a workout technique involving a series of exercises performed in rotation with minimal rest, often using different pieces of equipment. You can use your own body weight, dumbbells, workout machines, stability balls, resistance bands, or create a combination of apparatus.
 
The benefits of circuit training are time efficiency by getting your heart rate up and strengthening your muscles at the same time, as well as providing mental focus and a feeling of overall well being.
  Circuit Training Benefits the Body

• Improves heart health and increase muscle strength and endurance
• May promote weight-loss
• Offers a full body workout

Circuit Training Benefits the Mind

• May improve focus
• May improve mood and lower anxiety
• Manage stress, feel more calm

Generally, a ratio is integrated into the formula for circuit training. Such as, a work-to-rest
ratio as 1:1. This means that the work and recovery times are equal and somewhat a steady state (as opposed to high intensity), this could mean one minute per exercise, followed by one minute of active recovery. Active recovery could be anything from pacing slowly back and forth or switching to a different activity that will stabilize your heart rate.
 
Here is an example of one of my favorite Circuit Training workouts when really short on time,  using only body weight movement, which offers the flexibility of doing this workout anywhere.
 
First, complete a five to ten minute warm up of stretching and light foam rolling. After you’ve warmed up, perform each movement for one minute. Focus on form and keep your heart rate at a moderate level (you should be able to have a brief conversation).
 
Circuit:
Jumping Jacks or a jog in place (or hop on a treadmill if that is available).
Push-ups
Jumping Jacks or jog in place
Squats
Jumping jacks or jog in place
Plank Position Hold
Jumping Jacks or jog in place
Dips (use a bench or sturdy chair)
Jumping jacks or jog in place
Walking Lunges
Jumping Jacks or jog in place
Plank Position Hold
 
Repeat this circuit two to three times. Be sure to follow with 10 minutes of cool down and some static stretching. And remember to stay hydrated!
 
Circuit training offers creativity and flexibility with the variety of exercises performed and mixing up the routines. This can keep your workouts interesting while saving time and boosting your cardiovascular health and muscular fitness.
 
Starting today, schedule in circuit training two to three times per week. Enjoy the benefits of  feeling physically fit and strong, while being mentally calm and focused. If you would like more ideas for circuit training that include a combination of body weight exercises with a variety of gym equipment, please contact me. 

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Lifestyle

Spirits & Cuisine

How Absinthe is Made In Switzerland 

  Perhaps no other beverage in the world has more myth surrounding it.  For the last 200 years, absinthe has been first originated and then brewed in Switzerland.  The video above does an excellent job of separating fact from fiction. Enjoy! 

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Lifestyle 

Leisure

 

Stuff You Won't Find in Your Car

Each model year vehicles evolve a little further. What once was popular or essential gets updated with something new and a little more innovative. While certain car parts may always be necessary, others may age out or evolve over the years.

One of the challenges automotive repair professionals often face is the constant need to stay abreast of the changes in automotive design. As features change, so does the knowledge required to keep vehicles on the road. The following are some of the components you likely won't find rolling off of the assembly line these days.

· Carburetor: Vehicles previously used a carburetor, which was a bulky device that sat on top of the engine. Classic cars have carburetors, but modern ones do not. Most car manufacturers stopped using carburetors in the 1980s because fuel injector systems proved to be more efficient and improved fuel economy. Carburetors created an air-fuel mixture needed for engine combustion. Very often carburetors were the culprits in poor engine performance because they weren't creating the right air and fuel mixture. Also, jets on the carburetor could easily become clogged.

· Generator: Modern automobiles no longer use a generator, which is a device used to produce electricity through the rotation of fine wires in a magnetic field. Cars today use alternators. Instead of an armature rotating inside a stationary magnetic field as with a generator, an alternator has a magnetic field that rotates around a stationary armature, according to the online resource Electrical Technology. Alternators are more efficient because they can produce more power, even charging a car battery, at low engine speeds and idling.

· Audible turn signals: Turn signals, also called blinkers, typically have a clicking sound to alert the driver that the signal is still engaged and needs to be switched off after a turn. However, many modern cars are phasing out audible turn signals.

· Car keys: Newer vehicles do not have stamped metal keys, which have been replaced by electronic fobs. When the fob is near to the vehicle, doors automatically unlock. The fob is used in combination with a push-button ignition, making a key start obsolete.

· Full size spare tires: Not too long ago, if a flat tire required a roadside change, drivers could rely on a full-sized spare in the trunk or under the vehicle. According to AAA, spare tires have been replaced by tire inflator kits on millions of vehicles in the last 10 model years. Finding a full-sized spare is a rare occurrence.

· Control knobs: Radios, heating and cooling systems and other car features are increasingly being activated by buttons or digital displays. Gone are knobs and actual levers. This may be one feature that may have decreased safety and efficiency. Buttons rather than easily manipulated knobs require drivers to take their eyes off the road to find them and engage.

Just a little fun with cars. 

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Lifestyle

Lifestyle & Travel

Tickets & Parties  

A week from this Sunday, the biggest American football game of the year will happen.  The Super Bowl is the most widely watched sporting event in the world. Throughout the Super Bowl weekend, there are countless activities and parties to attend as well as famous celebrities all throughout the city.

I have recently been to a regular-season game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles where the game will be played, and trust me, it is not easy to find your way around.  It is huge with very little in the way of maps. For an event like the Super Bowl, a quality service might be the way to go.    

If you are planning on going to the game, then a service you should be aware of is “The Princeton Group” which provides upscale ticket, hospitality, and accommodations packages to both businesses and individuals at a variety of major sporting events.  We thought it a good time to again highlight their service and bring it to your attention.
   
The Princeton Group

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Business Services

Business Acquisitions

Think 7 Continents, Think a World of Opportunity 

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SWISS TRUST COMPANIES!

TOP REASONS TO OWN A SWISS TRUST COMPANY in 2022 

1. Financial Services: To use as an alternative to owning a “Captive Bank” or Class B Bank. The cost of time and money to establish ownership of a bank has soared while profit multiples have plummeted. Thus, a Swiss Trust Company can be an attractive alternative for international business.
2. Internet-Based Business Owners: Enhance the corporate profile while at the same time establishing a quality European beachhead with an outstanding professional network of attorneys and bankers.
3. Import Industry & Shipping Industry: Control transactions more efficiently and establish true corresponding bank relationships.
4. Eastern European Business Owners: To seek sanctuary from political uncertainty.
5. South Korean Business Owners: To seek sanctuary from political uncertainty.
6. US Real Estate Developers: To raise & manage capital from private overseas investors to fund real estate development in the United States. It furthermore, applies to similar industries.
7. Wealthy Families or Business Partners: To use as a management tool to protect, invest and consolidate wealth by warehousing assets and segregating interests via a mandate for reinvestment reflecting differing tolerance to risk.
8. South African Business Owners: Manage international profits in response to government currency controls in country of origin. It furthermore, applies to other countries with similar restrictions in place.

A Swiss Trust Company is a Non-Banking Financial Business Model that will operate for you as a holding entity and a flagship structure adding prestige and operational authority to any venture.  This totally unique corporate structure perpetuates the legacy and tradition of the Swiss financial industry and transitions smartly into any business undertaking that you may embark on.

Swiss Trust Companies are not banks but come as close as you can get without actually being a licensed Swiss bank. Thus, many of the authorities and advantages a bank provides become available to ownership without a large capital requirement and with much lower ongoing costs. Vintage Swiss Trust Companies bestow enormous advantages upon its owner due to its history and date of incorporation, which include the opportunity for profit & asset protection.



Move investment capital faster
Take advantage of growth opportunities resulting in increased profit.
 
Exercise more control over capital transactions
        Reduce third party fees thus creating savings.
 
 Establish a major European beachhead
 Protect funds from political instability and consolidate global business interest.
 
Alternative to captive bank ownership
which can be a very long and expensive process to successfully complete.
 
Because of success in their respective fields, our client’s business interests and personal interests are often intertwined.  To that end, owning a Swiss Trust Company also offers the additional individual benefits of asset protection and estate planning possibilities. 
 
Swiss-friendly approach on Crypto regulations
Switzerland is ranked number one of top ten European countries for starting a blockchain company due to its friendly regulation environment and supportive startup ecosystem with world-class service providers. It is rapidly emerging as a crypto paradise, supported by its banking skills, low-tax-system, elite universities and Switzerland as brand itself which has attracted a large variety of foreign cryptocurrency and blockchain startups. In Switzerland cryptocurrencies and exchanges are legal, and the country has adopted a remarkably progressive stance towards cryptocurrency regulations. The long-term policy regarding crypto-currencies on the part of the Swiss Financial Market Authority and its clarification of many aspects related to their business makes Switzerland one of the best places worldwide to launch an ICO.
 
Crypto Valley in Zug
The Swiss city Zug in central Switzerland, also known as Crypto valley, is one of the most crypto-friendly cities in the world. Perfectly positioned to get the most out of the decentralized, stable and predictable Swiss political system and its unique business environment, Zug is incomparable for an uncomplicated and pragmatic implementation of business ideas with world-class infrastructure. Zug offers a solid basis for global growth due to its business-friendly philosophy and the openness and easy accessibility of its authorities with short communication channels. With its low-tax-system, pro-business environment and fantastic quality of life Zug has attracted numerous multinationals, creating an international and cosmopolitan culture with an easy access to powerful global networks.
 
Swiss Trust company as perfect support for US-investors in engaging in business activities related to Crypto
The Swiss Trust company is one of the best known and respected vehicles in the business world. Swiss Trust companies can easily function as a holding entity and a flagship structure for any company and investment. They provide administrators with an excellent level of discretion and security and maintain a great number of types of assets, including shares, commodities, real estate properties, fixed income assets and cash. This flexibility combined with discretion, privacy and prestige makes the Swiss Trust company the perfect business vehicle for US-investors in engaging in business activities related to Crypto, such as ICO, participation and investing in ICO or crypto assets, acting as escrow agent or fiduciary in crypt assets related transactions.

* Free E- Book:  "The Complete Guide to Swiss Trust Company Ownership"

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