Corb7 International May 26th, 2021 Newsletter

International Business

Editor's Note

East German Socialism & The Berlin Wall

A 16-year-old young man once pleaded his parents for permission to go on a trip to Germany with his high school German class.  The parents really didn’t have the extra cash and $350 dollars was a lot of money back in 1974.   But they gave in, scratched up the funds and thus allowed the youth to experience 10 days in Europe.  It would leave a lifelong impression on the young man. The young man was me.

Besides getting an education in German beer, it also exposed my classmates and me to the wonderful history and architecture of Bavaria.  Through the eyes of a 16-year-old born and raised in Pittsburgh - Munich, the Autobahn, Neuschwanstein Castle to name just a few of the sights – Germany was an exotic and unbelievably beautiful place.  Plus, they spoke the language that I was attempting to learn.    

Then came the trip to Berlin. As you might recall, German had been split into two different countries in 1945– East and West - and Berlin sat at a far eastern point of Socialist East Germany.   Therefore, for our group to travel from Munich to West Berlin, we needed to proceed up the autobahn and cross over to East Germany and traverse much of the eastern bloc country to reach our destination.   It would be an experience not easily forgotten and the contrast between west and east could not have been starker.

West Germany had been colorful and upbeat.  Free expression and free speech found a home and flourish there after World War II.  East Germany, on the other hand, was bleak and gray.  Farmhouses were kept far from the freeway heading to Berlin to avoid interaction with westerners and the temptation to escape to the west. We of course, were harassed at the crossing into East Germany by guards who claimed someone in a red jacket on our bus had taken photographs within the restricted zone which we had been sternly warned about.  Absolutely, no pictures were allowed in that area.  There was no one with red jacket on the bus and after about three hours sitting there, the guards had enjoyed themselves enough to allow us to proceed.   

Berlin was not a fun place, totally different than Munich, and it was also split into east and west with the Soviets taking the eastern part of the city.  Much of this huge urban location had been leveled during the Allied bombing raids of World War II, and the stress of the war could still be felt in the air thirty years later.  From my perspective, the most memorable thing about Berlin was Checkpoint Charlie at the wall which we stood atop prior to visiting its museum. Plain and simple it was awful.  A wall built – not to keep foreigners out – but exclusively to keep East Germany citizens in.  So many had fled the horrors of socialism that they had to build a wall to keep them from escaping.  The term Berlin Wall did not fully describe it.  East Germany was a prison, and “The Wall” had guards with machine guns willing to fire on their fellow citizens in the blink of an eye. Go a little further from the physical wall and there were landmines, barbed-wire fences and abandoned buildings so people would not jump off them into the west and freedom.   The museum was a collection of stories representing successful and unsuccessful attempts to flee.  Those who took the gamble to cross to the west and were caught died.  To this day, I have a nondescript piece of concrete that no one would know what it is but me.   It is a six-inch piece of the Berlin Wall. 

Those images of East Germany and the Berlin Wall have never left me. Capitalism isn’t perfect, but no system is.  Anyone promoting the benefits of socialism does not know history or is simply lying for self-gain.   

  

Looking over The Berlin Wall circa 1974

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International Business 

Business Psychology

Intuition

by Toni Delos Santos
90% Mental
90percentmental.com
 

 The scenario: The Dodgers are playing the Angels and the game is tied. It’s bottom of the 9th inning and Justin Turner is up to bat. The count is 3-2, the pitch is a little outside, but he takes a swing and hits a home-run and the Dodgers win!! Since the ball was not in the strike zone, he could have taken the walk and got on base. Justin relied on his gut instinct to swing at the pitch. How many times have we heard the saying, “Go with your gut?” Logically speaking, how in the world would a feeling from our stomach be able to guide us to make the right decision. After all, if we take the time to reason with ourselves, it seems like that would be the better decision. However, our gut feeling is real and quite accurate.

According to research done by Psychologist, Simon McCrea, your sub-conscious and conscious brain collect data throughout the day from your environment and our brain carries out the process to prepare us for different situations. Although we are not even aware of everything that we are observing, it is all bring processed. There is actually a physical connection that occurs and accounts for emotional experiences to register as gastrointestinal distress. The science explains why we get that feeling in our gut of how we should respond. Some of the feelings that we might experience include tension in our body, butterflies in our stomach, thoughts about a particular person and sinking feeling in the pit of our stomach.

When we overrule our gut feeling and are not listening to that nagging voice in our head that is telling us what to do, we are ignoring all of the warning signs and instincts that our brain is giving us to make our best decisions. I wonder how many times you have thought to yourself that you should have gone with your gut!
Next time you are in that meeting or deciding whether or not to swing at the pitch, you will have a much better shot at being successful now knowing that there is a reason to listen to that gut feeling.

Learn to let your intuition-gut instinct-tell you when the food, the relationship, the job isn't good for you (and conversely, when what you're doing is just right).
- Oprah Winfrey

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International Business 

Offshore Perspective

SRO Membership in Switzerland

The term SRO is an abbreviation for Self-Regulatory Organization. In Switzerland these organizations are subject to FINMA supervision and regulate the activities of financial intermediaries attached to them, including wealth managers according to Article 24 of the Swiss Money Laundering Act (MLA).

SROs are a professional designation and therefore cannot be held by a company but rather if needed must be held by a “post holder” of the company.  

If you wish to offer services to “unrelated persons” via ownership of a Swiss Trust Company then you will need to gain membership to an SRO (Self-Regulatory Organization) professional designation.  This is a membership granted to an owner (or employee) of a Swiss Trust Company who has passed the introductory course prescribed by FINMA regarding KYC and AML.  Frankly, an SRO might be a nice designation to have whether or not you offer services to third parties. In any case, it is not a major endeavor and can be arranged through our associates in Zurich for a few thousand dollars.  They will make the recommendation of which SRO is appropriate for you after reviewing your business objectives and arrange everything for you. 

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International Business

Business Etiquette

How to Correct Someone
Calling You the Wrong Name

by Candace Smith
The Etiquette Blog
Candace Smith Etiquette

I was really embarrassed when I learned I'd been calling a local store owner the wrong name. 

I happened to overhear another customer use her correct name in conversation, and I realized my mistake.  I apologized, stating I'd been getting her name wrong forever.  She was very gracious and commented that it's a familiar error, but I wondered why she hadn't corrected me.

Someone once said that your name is the first gift you are ever given and should be respected as such.  I agree - being called by your correct name is a must.
Etiquette-fully Correcting a Wrong Name
To make sure the name you wish to be called is the one people use, you will need to speak up when mistakes are made.  Patience and understanding will keep this interaction on a courteous playing field.

If your name is a challenge to pronounce, or if the person simply can't hear you well enough to understand it, you may need to repeat yourself a few times during your introduction.  But afterwards, you might incorporate the following corrective measures depending on the number of times you were called the wrong name.

First time:
Simply be up front and state the correction directly the first time the error is made.  If, after you were introduced, someone addressed you as Mary, you might correct him by saying, “It’s Marie ending with an “ie.”

If you are in a large group and the error is made, make the matter-of-fact correction just the same. 

Second time:
Perhaps you have a name that is easily mixed up.  If you’ve mentioned to the same person that he has your name wrong, make the correction again, but with more detail.  “John, my name is Marie with an ‘ie.’ It’s not Mary.”

Third or more:
If the mistake happens with the same person yet again, focus will be necessary.  You’ll need to determine whether you should take the person aside when you get a chance and let him know one-on-one what is happening.  “John, I noticed you are still calling me by a wrong name.  I want to help out, as sometimes a wrong name can freeze in another person’s mind and brain freeze doesn’t feel good.  My name is Marie.” 

No doubt you’ll both laugh, and John will probably say your name on the spot a couple of times.  The next time you see him, you may find yourself approaching him and saying your name for a funny reference, “Marie here.”
 
Quick Corrections:
Introductions can be tricky, especially if the person making the introduction is side-tracked or nervous, or doesn't know you very well.  If you are a party to this situation and are introduced by the wrong name, you can make a quick correction as you make eye contact with your new acquaintance, "Actually, I'm Anne."

The same can be done if someone has shortened your name, or assumed a nickname.  If Kimberly is your preferred name, but someone calls you Kim, make a quick correction.  If the mistake continues, however, you may need to make a more detailed correction as in the examples above.
Just Call Me . . .
Because you may be mis-introduced to others, it is important to clear up your desire to be called what you want.  Use discretion and be matter-of-factly calm.

No one wants to forget a name and no one loves being corrected.  Your matter-of-fact and helpful attitude will go far when someone calls you by a wrong name.  This can be tricky, though.  If you press on with insistence and being overly concerned with how you are addressed, you risk showing a lack of confidence or being too sensitive. 

Many people have a “don’t sweat it” attitude in living life, which of course is great.  However, when it comes to what you are called, unless it’s really true that you don’t mind if people alter your name, then simple correction works best and will bring great results. 

Overall, diplomacy is called for.  You can remain poised by being tactful and edging your tone with a casual good nature.  Building relationships with others is always your main goal!

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde

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Lifestyle

Executive Fitness

How to Speed up Your Metabolism

When attempting to lose weight, men and women can expect to hear or read a lot about their metabolism. The process by which the body converts the foods we eat and the beverages we drink into energy, metabolism is widely misunderstood.

Many people may have been told that a naturally slow metabolism might be to blame for their weight gain. But according to The Mayo Clinic, a slow metabolism is rarely to blame for excess weight gain, which can most often be attributed to both poor dietary choices and inactivity. Certain conditions that slow metabolism, such as Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism, can cause excessive weight gain, and people who have been diagnosed with such conditions should consult their physicians for advice on dealing with their conditions. But those without conditions that affect their metabolisms may need to make certain lifestyle adjustments that can speed up their metabolisms and help them lose excess weight.

· Start strength training. Muscle burns more calories than fat, even when the body is at rest. Building muscle is a great way to speed up metabolism. Each pound of muscle your body has burns roughly six calories per day just to sustain itself. That's three times the calories that each pound of fat burns. Add that disparity up over time, and a body with significant muscle is burning considerably more calories than one with excessive fat.

· Stay hydrated. Dehydration takes its toll on the body in myriad ways, including affecting metabolism. Even mild dehydration can slow metabolism. When the body is dehydrated, its ability to use fat as fuel is compromised, slowing metabolism as a result. In addition, muscles need water to generate energy, so dehydrated muscles will not be burning as many calories as those that are fully hydrated. Make an effort to stay hydrated throughout the day, whether you're sitting at your desk in the office or working up a sweat at the gym.

· Snack, but snack healthy. Healthy meals benefit metabolism, but unhealthy snacks can derail your dieting efforts. Metabolism speeds up and burns calories each time the body eats, and many people adhere to the concept of "grazing" for that very reason. Grazing involves eating several small meals every three to four hours throughout the day rather than the more traditional three full meals each day. Grazing devotees feel that the approach burns more calories than more traditional diets, but the difference in calories burned may actually be negligible. Still, healthy snacking can speed up metabolism and help men and women avoid overeating at breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. In lieu of snacking on potato chips or baked goods, opt for healthier fare such as Greek yogurt or a serving of fruits or vegetables.

· Eat more protein. The thermic effect of food refers to the process by which the human body uses energy to absorb, digest and dispose of the food it ingests. Protein stimulates the thermic effect of food more significantly than foods that are high in fat or carbohydrates, so the body will burn more calories digesting dietary protein than it will other foods. In addition to speeding up your metabolism, dietary protein also helps people feel full longer, reducing their risk of overeating.

Understanding metabolism can help men and women as they attempt to lose weight and maintain healthy weights once those extra pounds have been shed.

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Lifestyle  

International Spirits & Cuisine

The Perfect Grilled Hamburger

 For many in the United States, Memorial Day weekend signifies the unofficial beginning of summer.  Outdoor grilling is an activity that is universally enjoyed through the summer.  As such,  we offer the video above which is from Gordon Ramsay and definitely one of our favorites on the subject making the perfect burger. As usual, he does not disappoint while grilling away in his Beverly Hills backyard. 

Hamburgers are a staple at backyard barbecues. Though burgers are a relatively simple food, mastering the technique to grill burgers is no small feat, as there is more to great grilled burgers than simply firing up the grill and dropping down a patty.

· Choose fresh ground beef that has a decent percentage of fat. The fat-to-lean meat ratio should be around 20 percent fat to 80 percent meat. Spend a little more to get freshly ground meat that has not been previously frozen.

· Don't overwork the burgers with a lot of handling. This will warm up the fat in the burger, which causes it to emulsify and could make the meat rubbery.

· Reconsider adding a lot of herbs, spices or add-ins to the burgers, as such items can detract from the flavor of the meat. Extra herbs and spices also may require extra mixing, which can lead over handling.

· Push a dimple into the top of the burger, which will help prevent the burger from expanding upward and out while cooking and rounding out in the process. The dimple will keep the top of the burger flat, which facilitates easy topping.

· Make sure the grill is hot. Burgers do well with high heat and will cook relatively quickly.

· Resist the urge to push down on the patty with your spatula. This will cause the juices to spill out and may result in a dry, tough burger.

· Let burgers rest before serving. This lets the juices redistribute throughout and makes for a moist and tasty first bite
and enjoy!

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Lifestyle 

Leisure & Style 

 

Memorial Day in the United States

Memorial Day has a rich history and one that's worth revisiting as the nation prepares to honor the sacrifices made by its military personnel over the centuries.

· Freed slaves played a role in the establishment of Memorial Day. The American Civil War is the deadliest military conflict in American history, as the Union and the Confederacy each suffered more than 800,000 casualties by the time the war ended in 1865. According to History.com, as the war drew to a close, hundreds of Union soldiers who were being held as prisoners of war died and were buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp in South Carolina. After the Confederate surrender, more than 1,000 now-freed slaves honored those recently deceased Union soldiers during a ceremony in which they sang hymns and distributed flowers. The ceremony was dedicated to the fallen soldiers and served as a precursor to what is now celebrated as Memorial Day.

· Confederate soldiers were honored, too. Confederate losses during the Civil War outnumbered Union losses, and those losses were not forgotten by southerners who survived the war. History.com notes that, in 1866, the Georgia-based Ladies Memorial Association, one of many similar organizations to arise in the aftermath of the war, pushed for a day to honor fallen Confederate soldiers. In fact, these efforts are believed to have influenced General John A. Logan. In 1868, General Logan, a Civil War veteran who was then serving as commander-in-chief of a group of Union veterans, ordered the decoration of Union graves with flowers on May 30. The day would ultimately be known as "Memorial Day."

· It took a long time for Memorial Day to become a federal holiday. Despite tracing its origins to the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, Memorial Day did not become an official federal holiday until 1971, more than a century after the war ended. This is the same year the holiday was officially designated as taking place on the last Monday in May. The designation has periodically drawn the ire of veterans and military supporters who suggest it is now more widely seen as the unofficial beginning to summer and not a day in which the sacrifices of fallen U.S. soldiers are honored to the extent that they should be.

· Debate exists about which town has the longest history of celebrating Memorial Day. A handful of towns claim to be the first celebrants of Memorial Day. That debate figures to continue in perpetuity, but History.com notes that Waterloo, New York, was officially recognized by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson as the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966. Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and Rochester, Wisconsin are some other towns that claim to have celebrated Memorial Day since the mid-1860s.

Memorial Day has a rich history that highlights the importance of honoring the men and women who have given their lives while in service of the United States military. 

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Lifestyle

Travel

Pack a Suitcase Like a Pro

After a dismal 2020 when people's movements were greatly restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and tourism could increase significantly beginning in the summer of 2021. That's great news for the businesses and workers who make their living in the tourism industry, and it's music to the ears of people itching to get out of the house and head off for parts unknown.

Once a vacation destination is planned and the trip is booked, the next question travelers often ask themselves is what to bring? Certain trips may necessitate only a few essentials tossed into a tote bag, while other trips may require an extensive wardrobe.

Anyone who has wrestled with an overflowing suitcase knows that packing can sometimes be an arduous task. Narrowing down just what to bring can be time-consuming. Finally, getting all of those items into the suitcase, only to find they don't fit as expected, can be particularly aggravating. Couple the struggle of packing with increased baggage fees at airlines, and it's easy to see why packing is a part of travel that requires some forethought.

Following these time-tested tips for packing can ensure you spend less time wrestling your suitcase and more time planning your and enjoying your trip.

· Know baggage rules in advance. Flyers should contact their airline to learn their baggage rules. Many airlines place restrictions on the size of a carry-on bag and limit how many suitcases can be checked into cargo. Knowing the measurements you have to work with can make it easier to pack.

· Leave a lot at home. Many travelers view their belongings as security blankets and connections to home. Vacationers may try to plan for every weather scenario or situation, and that often leads to over packing. Pack three shirts for every pair of pants, skirt or shorts that you bring. Stick to basics that make you feel comfortable rather than flashy, statement-making pieces. Choose clothing that's easily mixed and matched. Don't forget at least one dressy ensemble for a night out.

· Choose the right fibers. Even if you prefer cotton and natural fibers, they can be heavier and take longer to dry. They're also more prone to wrinkling. Blends, including wrinkle-free synthetic fibers, won't weigh down a suitcase and won't look like they've been trampled on when you arrive at your destination.

· Rolling is a sound packing method. Rolling clothing not only takes up less space, but clothes that are rolled also are less prone to wrinkling. Rolling creates a flat foundation in the suitcase upon which you can build. Put larger, heavier clothes on the bottom near the wheels and lighter tops and undergarments on the top. This will help balance out the bag and prevent it from toppling when the bag is upright.

· Bundle clothes as well. Another way to take the work out of packing is to bundle outfits together. Place a pair of folded pants on the bottom and top with a shirt, underwear and socks, and roll them together for each day you will be traveling.

· Use shoes for storage. Place smaller items, such as socks, electronics chargers and toiletries, in your shoes. It's another way to save room in an already tight suitcase. Use twist ties or rubber bands to bundle cords to chargers and other devices so
they're tidy.

· Use handbags for cosmetics. Skip the cosmetics bag and use a second purse for cosmetics and jewelry. This gives you another option when going out on the town and helps you save space when packing.

· Investigate what is stocked at the hotel. Call your hotel before packing or visit them online to take inventory of what is included in your room, as there is no need packing a hair dryer if your room includes one. If you're traveling to a friend's house or family, chances are they have the toiletries you need. If you find you need something, you always can buy it at
your destination.

· Limit electronic gadgets. Vacations are meant to provide a break from your routine. Stick to one or two gadgets and leave the rest at home. There's bound to be plenty of other ways to pass the time while traveling.

- Consider using packing cubes for travel. A packing cube easily zips up and can be planned ahead for one or two days wear. They are inexpensive and very effective.

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Business Services

Business Acquisitions

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALE!

Corb7 International
"Think Seven Continents, Think a World of Opportunity"

 Swiss Trust Company for Sale:

* 21-Year-Old Swiss Trust Company - Immediately Available
Established in the year 2000
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland  
Corresponding Bank Relationship: Client’s Choice
Acquisition Investment:  $87,800
Excellent administration with a prestigious law firm located in Zurich 
Administration first year fees included in acquisition price
Initial legal retainer also included

* 19-Year-Old Swiss Trust Company - SOLD
Established in the year 2002
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland  

* 90-Year-Old Vintage US Corporation - SOLD
Established in the year 1931 
Place of Incorporation Zug, Switzerland  

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

[Additional Opportunities in Europe & US Currently available]