What you will find in this edition
- Feature:
You Will Get Sued! - Business Psychology:
The Power of Laughter - Cross-Border Business:
The Premier Business Haven - Business Etiquette:
Commonsense Etiquette - Fitness & Health:
Unlocking the Health Benefits of Sea Moss - Spirits & Cuisine:
German Food Delivered to Your Front Door! - Leisure:
A Fun Look at Umbrellas - Travel:
Croatia this Summer? - Corb7 Funding Service:
Worldwide Funding Starting at $10 million - Corb7 International Services:
Swiss Trust Companies for Sale
International Business
Editor's Note
Entrepreneur & Author
JeffCorbett.com
You Will Get Sued!
"This Epidemic Continues its Global Path"
- “Suing for damages has become both a huge industry and a tremendous drag on American industry’s ability to compete.” ----- Forbes Magazine
- "Plastic surgeons are being named in numerous lawsuits. One Texas malpractice insurer states that current premiums are running between US $20,000 - 80,000 and will likely jump 20% again.” ----- The Economist
- “Every year in America, individuals and businesses spend more than $80 billion on direct litigation costs and higher insurance premiums. When indirect costs are included, the costs may add up to a figure in excess of $300 billion.” ----- President’s Council on Competitiveness .
Reaching epidemic proportions, statistics now show that US citizens have a one in four chance of being sued during their lifetime. This trend extends far beyond the United States, and successful individuals are being targeted in any number of jurisdictions worldwide.
The advances of modern society have caused our lives to move at a faster pace than ever before, mostly due to the computer age and instinct access to information via the Internet. For many, this may not only be disheartening but precarious. Wealth, fame, and business success are just a few factors that can make an individual a target for unwarranted probes by those who are less than scrupulous.
Entrepreneurs Beware!
Business owners and professionals are the most likely to be sued; moreover, included in that grouping are physicians, plastic surgeons, stockbrokers, law enforcement officials and real estate developers. Governing rules of civil procedures have been liberalized; consequentially, legislators have made the process of taking legal action much easier than ever before. Results can be devastating, and products such as liability insurance are rarely enough to cover all eventualities. Traditional approaches to asset protection, such as utilizing a corporate veil to limit shareholder liability, is, likewise, seldom good enough. For instance, most liability insurance policies do not cover some of the most common reasons for civil litigation. Frequently excluded are sexual harassment, wrongful termination, negligence or any type of punitive damages. In addition, policy limits are often severely under the multimillion-dollar judgments being handed down. As a result, the use of offshore vehicles has been brought into the forefront of asset protection and financial planning.
Greatest Risk to Wealth
Not too long ago a fascinating piece of writing appeared in Forbes Magazine with the premise being that litigation is a much greater threat to American wealth than taxes. According to the article, this is due to American citizens being exposed to an infinite amount of liability through an overworked system of litigation. Thus, high-net worth individuals are putting “unlimited assets” at risk. This article goes on to state that “contrary to the popular vision of offshore banking, the true purpose of offshore accounts and corporate structures for many wealthy clients is to protect a lifetime of earnings and savings not from being taxed, but from being wiped out in a major lawsuit, say, a medical malpractice or a class-action securities litigation against an executive.”
Often, the measure of an attorney’s skill is their ability to construct a theory of liability, which will connect a remote and seemingly innocent deep pocket to a particular case. Consequently, an individual’s innocence has little to do with whether they will be targeted. Early on and during the normal course of business, an attorney will do a financial investigation directed at the potential target of the litigation. Information that you might rightfully consider confidential can easily be found during this discovery period. To that end, numerous investigative services are in the litigator’s toolkit. For a nominal investment, your future adversary will have obtained a profile of your financial well-being. This comprehensive sketch will likely include: your bank accounts, brokerage accounts, property ownership, collectibles, credit rating, business holdings, etc.
Working on behalf of their plaintiff, most attorneys file civil judgments on a contingency basis. For that reason, these lawyers will only get paid if they can get a settlement or win the suit. As such, they are not interested in pursuing “judgment proof” defendants. Regarding asset protection, therefore, the old saying still rings true … “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." The key is to lower your discoverable financial profile ahead of time or to place expensive and time-consuming hurdles in the path of frivolous filings.
Why We Like Switzerland
If you are a regular reader of this periodical then it is obvious that we like Switzerland as a potential solution to this problem. US civil litigation is not readily recognized in Switzerland, which makes moving your assets offshore a strong strategy. Accordingly, by transferring a portion of your assets to a privately held Swiss Trust Company, you have effectively made yourself a much smaller target. Once put into place these steps may place your assets well out of harm’s way.
In the rare event, a plaintiff should wish to follow you, they may find it a very expensive and distasteful experience. For example, the plaintiff would first need to know where the assets are being held. Then they would need to retain a local attorney within that specific country – in this case Switzerland. This would be at a considerable expense inasmuch pro-business jurisdictions like Switzerland tend to have an absence of barristers willing to work on a contingency fee. Furthermore, since frivolous lawsuits are not looked upon favorably, it would be incumbent upon that attorney to convince a local court to hear the case. Even if that can be accomplished, the case will likely be dismissed should it be proven that assets were transferred prior to the suit being filed. The wicked battle awaiting a plaintiff offshore often results in either a settlement on the defendant’s terms or the suit being dropped altogether. We call that a win!
You Must Plan Ahead!
The best and safest time to create an asset protection strategy is before there are any potential creditors. If you wait until a lawsuit is pending there is a substantial risk that a court will find any transfer of assets an attempt to defraud. At that point, there are serious consequences. A perceived attempt to defraud a creditor would likely result in the setting aside of any transfer. Important side note: please keep in mind that you will probably still have tax obligations from your country of citizenship. For the most part, offshore planning has become a “tax neutral” event for individuals. This is especially true as we have seen an increase in jurisdictions moving toward the world income tax model.
The occurrence of frivolous lawsuits is at an all-time high and most likely will only continue to grow. Now more than ever, it is essential to protect your assets from the risk of being wiped out in a potential lawsuit. As litigation is at this time considered a greater threat to wealth than taxes, it is your responsibility to protect yourself. No one else will. For nearly two decades, the use of the Swiss Trust Company vehicle has become a significant aspect of modern asset protection planning tactics for wealthy individuals and their families. Done legally and ethically, transferring your assets to an offshore entity can dramatically “tip the scales” in your favor.
Please consult with your professional advisors before undertaking any asset protection strategy.
International Business
Business Psychology
The Power of Laughter
A good chuckle protects your workday.
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A good joke can liven up any social engagement, but the value of humor goes well beyond breaking the ice at parties and other get-togethers. According to the Cleveland Clinic, laughter can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to lower heart rate and help people breathe more easily. Given such benefits, it's no surprise that laughter has been linked to a host of medical benefits, including stress relief and improved heart health.
Various professionals have studied the clinical benefits of laughter, including Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University in California. Here is what these experts say in regard to the benefits of a few good belly laughs.
Boosts immune system
A recent study titled "The Laughter Prescription" and published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that the amount of laughter a person experiences is related to the immune system's ability to fight off infections, among other benefits. The study references additional research that indicated spontaneous (not forced) laughter boosts the immune system by increasing natural killer (NK) cell activity. Levels were measured after participants watched a one-hour humorous video. NK cells are lymphocytes with a unique ability to kill a broad spectrum of cancerous and virus-infected cells, according to the National Institutes of Health. Laughing out loud improves immune system function and increases heart rate and oxygen levels.
Lowers blood pressure
Individuals who laugh often have lower blood pressure than those who laugh less often. Lower blood pressure reduces the risk for stroke and heart attack.
Helps heal the brain
Laughing can help reverse symptoms of grief or depression by increasing the pleasure-enhancing neurochemicals in the brain, according to the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. A good laugh also may help people recovering from chronic illnesses by helping to alleviate fear and anxiety that could otherwise preoccupy the mind.
Suppresses stress hormones
Drs. Berk and Tan found that the stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol decrease following laughter. Laughter may help people feel less stressed and overwhelmed.
Provides a small body workout
Hearty laughter can exercise the diaphragm, contract the abdominals and even work the shoulders and muscles in the face. Laughter also gets the heart pumping at a rate that burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking slowly.
Provides natural pain relief
Research suggests that laughter decreases inflammation that may contribute to pain. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that laughing also increases blood flow, which may help to reduce pain as well.
Finding ways to laugh more is an easy and fun way to improve overall health.
International Business
Cross-Border Business
The World's Premier Haven
Switzerland is still the best.-------
A Switzerland is often called “the world’s premier business haven” with its exceedingly friendly business culture and a world-class infrastructure second to none. One of the most important industries within Switzerland is the iconic banking sector. One-third of the world’s wealth resides in this tiny nation. Tradition, integrity, and trust are adjectives that all aptly describe this international business destination.
Though relatively small, Switzerland has only 8.1 million inhabitants - 16% of those living in Switzerland are foreign citizens, pointing to the cosmopolitan nature of the population - the World Economic Forum’s "Global Competitiveness Report" recently ranked Switzerland's economy as the most competitive in the world. While the four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansch, most professionals speak working English. In addition, Switzerland is one of the oldest democracies in the world, established in 1848.
For the last thirty years, the Federal Executive has consisted of a coalition between the country's main political parties, assuring balance neutrality and free enterprise. This tiny landlocked country has been successfully competing in favor of Direct Foreign Investment for seemingly countless years. With a long-standing history of neutrality – it has not been in a state of war since 1815 – an iconic banking infrastructure has been developed. Even through the resent global economic crisis not one Swiss bank approached failure. There can be little doubt that the stability of the Swiss banking system and its financial institutions have contributed mightily to this country’s success. Controversies aside, the Swiss have become the world’s banker with a standing estimate that one-third of all current wealth resides here.
Several universal factors contribute to this relatively small nation's ability to compete on the global scale which enhances its reputation:
- Social peace and political stability
- A leading economy with currency and price stability
- Highly professional international banks that focus on privacy
- First-rate infrastructure
- High productivity combined with extraordinary product and service quality
- First-class and world-renowned universities and technical institutes
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.
International Business
Business Etiquette
Commonsense Etiquette
by Candace Smith
The Etiquette Blog
Candace Smith Etiquette
Biography: Candace Smith, wife of Nobel Prize-Winner Professor Dr. Vernon Smith and owner of the extraordinary blog, “Etiquette for the Business of Life” as featured by BBC, Chicago Tribune and USA Today offers her insights.
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I’ve been re-reading a delightful book written by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1962 titled Book of Common-Sense Etiquette, in which she says:
“Etiquette is not just a matter of knowing how a lunch or dinner should be served, or what the “proper” behavior is in this or that situation. There are many correct ways of behaving in almost any situation, and many proper ways of doing those things for which there are precise rules in formal etiquette books. Yet the formal rules always have had a signal usefulness, and are worthy of respectful attentions, and even though we have renounced some of them, we ought not to belittle this impulse that brought them into being, for it is the very essence of man’s desire to achieve self-respect and dignity.”
Common sense must speak to the rules of etiquette such that good manners end up prevailing.
Developing Good Manners
As children, we instinctively fed ourselves hand to mouth. But when we were taught to use a spoon and fork, ask for an item to be passed to us, and learned that others also would like items passed to them, practical knowledge melded into a social sense that can only develop through experience with other people.
When a child learns to say “Please” and “Thank you,” and smiles at the other person when he says it, he is not only learning manners but also adding to his bank of social knowledge. Manners are a combination of recognition of others and specific know-how. The guiding codes are the rules of etiquette.
Each of us try to act with sound judgment and aim for sensible action in all that we do. Etiquette serves in gaining the practical knowledge that we apply to our ever-changing social and professional situations. It helps us live reasonably and kindly, and desiring it is commonsensical.
Many things we do in the spirit of courtesy and in line with common sense every day:
- Opening and holding doors for others.
- Reciprocating the sharing of dinner with those who invite you to their table.
- Extending verbal courtesies such as “It’s my pleasure,” “Please,” “Thank you,” and “May I?” when interacting with other people.
- Insisting that children need to help with dinner and chores as a regular part of learning to coexist within a family.
- Returning phone calls and emails within a short period of time.
Regardless of your line of work, courtesy and civility are basic to professional conduct.
- Take ownership for the level of work produced.
- Cooperate with colleagues and management.
- Prove dependable and trustworthy and show up on time.
- Give the benefit of doubt.
- Look for the positives and aim for the bright side, taking the proverbial “high road” at every turn.
- Never announce something really important in a text message.
- Keep your focus on where you are, who you are with and why you are there.
- Being clear and concise shows respect for the people with whom you are communicating.
- Actively listen with intention of finding value in what others say.
- Keep the Golden Rule active, doing to others what you would have them do and be with you.
Aiming to be respectful in all of our interactions and following through by keeping our word and taking responsibility for our own behavior develops strength of character. Doing what we know ultimately works is common sense.
Lifestyle
Fitness & Health
Unlocking the Health Benefits of Sea Moss
by Morayma Makay
Health & Natural Aging Content Creator
Adulthood Rewired Blog
Biography: Morayma Makay is a fashion model, mother, and writer. She has
dedicated the last 20 years to working in the fashion and health fields as
both a researcher and content creator. Most recently, she has launched her own blog Adulthood Rewired and YouTube channel Click Here, to continue sharing her knowledge.
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It seems like every day we are being introduced to something new in the health and wellness space. Some of these foods, supplements, and products fall flat, while others admittedly deserve the hype…and one of the latest “good for you” trends is Sea Moss. So, is this new health food hype-worthy? I think it just
may be.
Sea moss, also known as Irish Moss (or chondrus crispus if you want to get technical) is a marine algae native to the coasts of North America and Northern Europe. While it's considered a low calorie food, it is impressively high in nutrients and contains 92 of the 110 essential trace minerals our bodies use to keep us in optimal shape. These include magnesium, sulfur, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. It also has a decent amount of protein (about 6 grams in a serving), fiber, antioxidants, carotene, folate, riboflavin, and iodine. Not bad for an otherwise nondescript blob from the sea.
With all of those health supporting compounds, it's no surprise that sea moss is beneficial for a wide range of things such as gut function. A recent study in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Journal showed that sea moss has prebiotic properties that help support the gut microbiome and help eliminate less beneficial bacteria. People who use sea moss on a regular basis tend to feel more "regular" themselves and report less intestinal upset, constipation, and issues with digestion.
Sea moss has also been shown to support healthy thyroid function, and because it is so rich in heart healthy minerals and anti-inflammatory properties, it can assist with regulating blood pressure and keep your heart working as it should!
Since it's also a good source of Vitamins C and A, it's great for keeping your immune system boosted, and when used topically, it makes a soothing, hydrating and nourishing face mask. As a matter of fact, sea moss used on your skin helps to balance oil production, and protects your natural skin barrier. End up with a little sunburn? Well, sea moss is good for that too!
If you struggle with coarse hair that tends to be dry and brittle, you'll be happy to know that sea moss is a really effective hair-hydrator. You can use it as a hair mask, leaving it on for half an hour (or longer) before jumping in the shower and it will naturally condition your strands and promote their elasticity.
Now let's talk about how to use this stuff. Sea moss typically comes in gel or powder form which can be quickly tossed into a smoothie, and the gel form can be eaten straight off of a spoon on-the-go.
Since sea moss should be refrigerated, it can also used to wake up a tired face in the mornings by using it as a quick and effective mask (or even just under the eyes because...well...exhaustion is real!).
Other ways to use it? I've been told it's great in soups, stews, and even in your coffee!
So my verdict is in, sea moss is pretty great....easy to use, super beneficial, and it multitasks. Hype-worthy? Absolutely!
Lifestyle
Spirits & Cuisine
German Food Delivered to Your Front Door
A true ethnic treat.-------
German food from Huntington Beach California? Yes, and it might just be the best sausage that you will ever throw on your grill! Straight from this area of Southern California, reasonably priced and a real treat, the best of Bavaria is available to you and can be at your doorstep within two days.
Our favorite is without question the Kochers Weisswurst (literally means white sausage). The casing is so soft that it will melt in your mouth! Weisswurst is traditionally manufactured early in the morning and prepared to be eaten as a snack between breakfast and lunch. Often the Germans would enjoy it with a soft pretzel and mustard. In any case, this is just one of many options for some of the best German food you can find in the States.
GermanDeli.com
7561 Center Ave. #49 A, Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647
Phone: 714-897-1470
Lifestyle
Leisure
A Fun Look at Umbrellas
Spring is just around the corner.-------
Spring often means rain and once that occurs we all for reach the old standby - the umbrella. How many of us, however, know anything about the its origins?
Technology evolves with breakneck speed, and it is not too often that one can say he or she relies on something that has gone largely unchanged for centuries. But each time you reach for an umbrella, you're relying on an invention that's more than 4,000 years old.
Evidence suggests umbrellas originated in ancient Egypt and nearby Assyria. The earliest umbrellas or parasols were used to provide protection from the sun. These earliest umbrellas were made from palm leaves attached to sticks. According to UmbrellaHistory.net, umbrellas signified rank and nobles used the devices to keep their skin pale and untouched by the sun. In Assyria, only kings had the right to be protected by elaborate parasols.
Anyone who has been kept dry during a downpour because of umbrellas can thank the Chinese. The modern-day rain umbrella is a variation of waterproof parasols created in the 11th century BC. The earliest waterproof umbrellas were made of silk or paper that was waxed and lacquered for protection. Again, umbrellas signified a person of esteem, and the more elaborate the umbrella, the more important the person being protected by the device.
It wasn't until the 16th century that the umbrella became popularized in the western world, according to the history and invention site ThoughtCo. The word "umbrella" comes from the Latin root "umbra," meaning "shade." However, in the rainy climates of northern Europe, the waterproof umbrellas would be an asset for men and women hoping to stay dry. Persian traveler and writer Jonas Hanway popularized umbrellas through his own personal use, and men even called their umbrellas a "Hanway."
The British helped define the modern umbrella and even opened up the first shop devoted entirely to umbrellas. James Smith and Sons opened in 1830 in London, producing umbrellas made from wood or whalebone covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. Curved handles were made by hand and were genuine works of art.
Steel-ribbed umbrellas would come several years later. Collapsible umbrellas would not appear for roughly 100 years, when Hans Haupt's pocket umbrella and Bradford Phillips' modern folding mechanism in umbrellas were introduced.
Modern umbrellas continue to be perfected, with certain types folding outward rather than inward to keep errant drops at bay; umbrellas that cannot be flipped inside out; those that can withstand very strong winds; and umbrellas that open and shut easily with the push of a button. China still reigns supreme in regard to the production of umbrellas, just as it did all those centuries ago.
Lifestyle
Travel
Croatia this Summer?
The land of "Game of Thrones."-------
One of the hottest summer destinations for 2023 is Croatia. This region of the world is quickly becoming the trendiest location for that summer getaway. While many of us are grinding through a very cold and wet winter, we thought it might be fun to review Dubrovnik, Croatia a warm & historic destination that you might want to include in your plans this year.
We have been fortunate enough to twice visit this beautiful country and cruise its marvelous coastline. If you have the same opportunity, we would highly recommend the experience.
Business Services
Business Tools
Worldwide Business Funding
Cutting-edge ideas.
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When Others Say No, We Have Solutions!
Traditional project funding route has been drying up. Banks are not lending; projects don't have the required credit or valuations and are coming out of a very difficult period in our history of business.
We are pleased to bring to your attention a service that could provide a lifeline to your business. Through our associates, we arrange financing for companies who cannot obtain adequate bank financing.
We have solutions.
Worldwide Business Funding!
Funding $10 million plus!
Client Profile:
Any company or group that is unable to secure commercial financing through traditional sources particularly if funding needs are immediate.
The ideal client will have committed 20% of their own funds to the project and will be looking to fund 80% or less. Clients can be located anywhere in the world. As a starting point please tell us how much funding you are looking for, if you meet the general terms described above and where you are located.
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*40-Year-Old Swiss Trust Company - SOLD
Established in the year 1982
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland
*36-Year-Old Swiss Trust Company - SOLD
Established in the year 1986
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland
* 60-Year-Old Swiss Trust Company - AVAILABLE
Established in the year 1962
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland
1962 Swiss Trust Company Presentation
* 21-Year-Old Swiss Trust Company - AVAILABLE
Established in the year 2001
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland
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