Corb7 International May 31st, 2023 Newsletter

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International Business 

Editor's Note

The Art of Self-Discipline  

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”   - Calvin Coolidge

 Via the business platform LinkedIn, awhile back, I corresponded with Steve DeVore who is the founder of SyberVision Systems.   Steve was responsive, extremely gracious with his time and provided some interesting insights.  If you are not familiar with his company, it was in an intriguing space having produced some of the first digital learning programs in the area of personal development, health, family relations and technology.  I will call out one specific program since it changed my life as a young man – “The Neuropsychology of Self-Discipline.”  I don’t believe SyberVision is still active creating new content but some of their older programs can be purchased via Amazon and they have aged well.

Self-discipline is a subject that has always fascinated us and remains a clear lynch-pin for business and personal success. Too frequently, however, individuals have viewed it solely in terms of sacrifice.  Absolutely nothing could be further from the truth.  Any opportunity to focus on both strategic and tactic strategies to gain desired outcomes seems to be an obvious win. 

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International Business 

Business Psychology

How to Improve Your Workday Alertness

A long workday can be both mentally and physically draining. As a result, office workers and professionals whose jobs are more physically demanding than office work may find themselves less alert at the end of the workday than at the beginning.

A loss of alertness as the workday draws to a close might be unavoidable. But professionals whose sense of alertness begins to dwindle in the thick of the workday might need to take steps to improve their alertness to protect themselves from injury and to ensure the quality of their work does not suffer.

· Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon. Some professionals rely on caffeinated beverages such as coffee or energy drinks to combat afternoon drowsiness. While that afternoon caffeine fix might provide an immediate, if temporary, jolt of energy, it might also affect a person's energy levels the following day. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that caffeine consumed as early as six hours before bedtime can significantly disrupt sleep. Professionals who reach for a cup of coffee in the late afternoon might get a sudden boost of energy, but their energy levels the following day might be lower due to a poor night's sleep.

· Avoid high-fat foods at lunchtime. Foods that are high in fat should always be avoided thanks to their connection to a host of health problems. Such foods also negatively affect energy levels when consumed in the middle of the day. The University of Rochester Medical Center notes that the body digests and absorbs high-fat foods very slowly. That means workers who eat high-fat foods for lunch won't get the afternoon energy boost that low-fat, healthy lunches will provide.

· Snack healthy. Professionals who find themselves needing a snack in the mid- to late-afternoon can sate their hunger and give themselves an energy boost by snacking healthy. Avoid snacks like potato chips that tend to be high in fat and low in nutrition. Foods that are high in fiber and/or protein can provide a longer energy boost and quell the afternoon hunger pangs at the same time. Fresh fruit and Greek yogurt fit the bill.

· Change your workout schedule. Regular exercise improves short- and long-term health while also increasing daily energy levels. Professionals who include exercise in their daily routines yet still suffer from a lack of alertness in the afternoon may need to alter their workout schedules. A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that participants who were assigned afternoon exercise programs during work hours reported increased productivity versus those who were not assigned afternoon workouts. If working out in the afternoon is not feasible, avoid working out too late at night, as the National Institutes of Health note that exercising within two to three hours of bedtime can disrupt sleep, ultimately having a negative impact on energy levels the following day. 

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International Business 

Cross-Border Business 

Bermuda Captive Insurance Conference

September 12-13th  

 Review
A captive is defined as an insurance company established in an offshore jurisdiction, created and controlled by either a parent company or professional association through which their own risk is insured. Those insured risks are frequently re-insured through a large multinational carrier.

The cost of insurance represents a considerable expense for most businesses. In recent years, premiums have skyrocketed leading many professionals to explore creative cost reduction strategies. One imaginative – yet proven – strategy is the use of wholly-owned subsidiaries to meet insurance needs which can control or even cut expenditures. Captives can be established to self-insure part or all of property loss, product liability, work compensation, malpractice and virtually any other coverage. Consequently, the driving force behind the move to offshore captive insurance extends virtually across all industries including, but not limited to: medical malpractice, workers compensation, manufacturing, financial, energy-related, and real estate developers, just to name a few. Over 350 of the Fortune 500 companies in the United States have insurance captives. As a result, Captive Insurance Companies have become a growing and significant sector of the global insurance industry.

Benefits:

1. Instances when insurance cannot be purchased from commercial insurance companies for a business risk. In many instances companies within an industry form a joint captive insurance company for that reason.

2. In very specific cases, premiums paid to a captive insurance company may be deductible as a business expense for tax purposes according to the Internal Revenue Service. It is important to note that the IRS has established very strict guidelines to qualify for tax benefits and the use of a professional is critical.  The rule of thumb is that the insurance company will need to be adequately capitalized and offer sufficient third party (non-related) insurance to qualify.

3. Insurance can be obtained through the international reinsurance market at a more favorable premium with higher limits of coverage.

4. Investment returns can be obtained directly on its invested capital.

Bermuda

Bermuda stands as the world's leader in Captive Insurance.  As such, their annual conference is consider one of the most important in the industry.  

Conference Information

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International Business   

Business Etiquette

What Bags are Appropriate for Meetings?

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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As a professional, how you appear when you first show up for a meeting underscores your desire to give a positive impression.  Your physical appearance as a professional extends to what you bring with you as much as what you wear.   
 
Being uncluttered signals preparation and organization.   Combining your handbag with a tote bag, briefcase, business-style backpack or computer bag allows you to free up your right hand to open doors and, more importantly, to greet others. 
 

An Uncluttered Entrance 

Face-to-face meetings are an important part of many professional landscapes.  Showing up ready and available requires your keen attention to the details of your personal space -- and what’s in it.  
 
When you enter a meeting room encumbered with multiple bags, you need a moment to place them somewhere before you can greet other people in the room.  This only brings attention to your stuff rather than to the introduction, greeting, and importance of the other person. 

Consider what exactly you need for this meeting.  If you're giving a lengthy presentation, you may genuinely need multiple bags to transport the materials necessary to present your information effectively.  However, if you only need a few files for this particular meeting, it should be easy to place them in one bag or briefcase along with your computer or tablet. 

If more than one bag is a necessity, consider using a rolling bag.  They are fairly easy to maneuver and will make transporting things much easier.  They are also easy to let go of for a moment to appropriately greet someone with a handshake. 

When attending multiple meetings in a day, particularly when traveling, you might leave any unnecessary bags or materials in the trunk of your car or ask if you might leave them at the reception desk of the office you're visiting.  If neither of these options are available, arriving early will give you a chance to put your things away so you can greet the business associates or coworkers you're visiting unencumbered. 

For women, lighten your load by placing the items you carry in your handbag in your briefcase or computer bag.  Arriving with one bag gives the impression you are organized and efficient. 
 
Signaling “I’m here to have a productive meeting,” not only comes from your chosen attire and friendly attitude, but from what you bring to the meeting and how you bring it.  Do you physically represent quality?  Are you one notch above what is expected? 
 

Quality and Functionality 

Regardless of the bag (or bags) you choose, it should be designed with functionality in mind.  Are there just the right number of pockets or sections to store what you need for this meeting and other meetings during the day?  You may want to consider an exterior side pocket to store a boarding pass, Metro card, lipstick/lip balm, or other small items you can access quickly.  

Does your system of organizing include places for the essentials? 

• Basic forms of ID 
• Inside pockets for keys and wallet or credit card holder 
• A key fob for even easier access to your keys -- and to keep them from falling to the bottom of your bag 
• Cell phone (silenced, of course) 
• Business cards 
• Grooming needs, breath mints, tissues 
• Pairs of needed glasses 
• Pens, markers and writing materials 
• Charged laptop and/or tablet 
• Materials/handouts/references or notes for this particular meeting 

The ideally organized bag would have business on one side, toiletries and personal items on the other, and your laptop in the center so that you never waste time removing or replacing an item. 
 
Your attention to the details suggested above and applying the “Think Quality” motto will guide you in selecting the perfect bag or briefcase for you.  Even with a limited budget, there are quality bags you can choose that will last for years.  Consider these criteria: 

• Is your bag well-designed and does it speak to your good taste? 
• Is it the right size?  Are the straps long enough to easily place on and remove from your shoulder? 
• Is the material robust and practical? 

A bag of any kind is an appendage.  It speaks a lot about you.  Quality, functionality, and comfort are of utmost importance. 

Things to Avoid 

The number and quality of your bags and briefcase are more noticeable when you don't handle them etiquette-fully.  This also affects the impression others have of your professionalism, or lack thereof.  

Leave a positive impression and avoid: 

• Placing any bag on the meeting table. 
• Digging through your handbag or other carry-in’s.  Getting lost in your stuff is an interruption and causes waiting. 
• Forgetting to turn off your electronic devices that may interrupt the meeting. 
• Forgetting to clean or repair the bag or briefcase you choose to bring. 

Preparation is always key when attending -- and especially when leading -- a meeting.  Show your professional preparedness and efficiency by bringing only what you need in an organized manner. 

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Lifestyle

Executive Fitness

Raise Your Glass to Alkaline Water!!

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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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We all know the importance of staying hydrated, but what we may not think about is how important the quality of our hydration really is. When thirsty, what do we go for?  Soda? Juice? A fruity cocktail?  While all may have their place, water should be the number one go-to. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all water is created the same.  
 
Alkaline water, for example, stands out from regular tap or bottled water when it comes to optimal benefits in a variety of ways.  It has a higher pH level, typically ranging from 8 to 9, whereas regular water tends to be more neutral, around 7, thus giving alkaline water the stand-out benefit of being able to balance the body's pH levels. This is important because our body's pH scale can lean towards acidity due to stress, poor diets, and environmental stressors (difficult things to avoid!). Imbalanced pH levels can then lead to various health issues, including fatigue, digestive problems, premature aging, and a weakened immune system. 
 
Alkaline water also provides your body with antioxidants and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium which help neutralize harmful free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and promote hydration at a cellular level. See…this is not your average glass of H20!
 
Drinking alkaline water has also been shown to help regulate digestion, reduce acid reflux, and curb cravings, making it an excellent addition to a balanced diet and active lifestyle.  The minerals present in this water can also help strengthen your body's defense mechanisms and support your immune system. 
 
Now that the weather is starting to heat up, try adding alkaline water to your daily hydration.  You can still have some of the more “fun” beverages on the side, but make THIS water, your consistent go-to! 

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Lifestyle

International Spirits & Cuisine

Lobster Delivered to Your Front Door

 There may be no better lobster than what you can get in Maine. Now it is available to be delivered to your front door. Lobster Gram had been in service since 1987, delivering Grade A Maine lobsters to anywhere in the United States. They come shipped and ready to cook in a variety of packages. Our favorite is the 4 – five-ounce tail bundle which we love to grill outdoors as a perfect complement to a steak dinner – flawless surf and turf.

Lobster Gram

Click Here to Order 

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Lifestyle

Leisure

Hire a Personal Chef ! 

More than ever, people are pressed for time. Between a grueling commute, raising children, and a day full of Zoom meetings, who has time to cook a nutritious dinner? As time becomes one of our most precious commodities, we often rely on quick but unwholesome mealtime solutions such as high calorie fast food, fattening take out, or frozen entrées. Enter the newest weapon in the fight against the daily grind: personal chef services. 

A less costly alternative to a full-time private chef, personal chefs develop customized meal plans based on a client's specific tastes and dietary objectives. Entering the client's home with pots, pans, and fresh foods, the chef will prepare one to two weeks of entrées that are conveniently packaged, labeled, and ready to heat. 

David Fischbein, President of Big City Chefs, a nationwide personal and private chef service brand operating in nearly a dozen major metropolitan markets, notes, "Our clients tell us they feel more productive and relaxed by reducing the time they previously spent cooking, grocery shopping, or eating out at pricey restaurants." He adds that clients rave about the company's hand-picked professional chefs, who include veterans from the restaurants of celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse. 

According to Fischbein, "Personal chef services provide a convenient and affordable luxury that allows Americans to reclaim their stressful lives. 

To inquire about personal chef services, review menus or register for a cooking class contact:

Big City Chefs, Inc.
Phone:  1-866-321-CHEF 
Big City Chefs

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Lifestyle

Travel 

Napa Valley Wine Train

 Award winning Chefs offer various culinary treats freshly prepared onboard featuring regional products to further enhancing the scenic enjoyment of Napa Valley!  Choose from daily, year-round gourmet dining options or special events for lunch, dinner or brunch. Excursions are three hours. Relax in lavishly restored 1917-1947 Pullman dining, lounge, grill and Vista Dome Cars. 

Restoration includes beautiful hand-rubbed Honduran Mahogany on the walls, etch glass grape motif throughout, rich velvet and brocade fabrics .. even the bathrooms have not expense spared with marble, brass, porcelain and 'real towels' in each car. 

Three-hour excursions begin in Napa, journey leisurely northward through the towns and hamlets of Napa Valley to St. Helena and then return. Two of the options available during the luncheon excursion package: the three-course gourmet luncheon with private tours either at Grgich Hills Cellars or Domaine Chandon Winery. 

Approximately 100 of Napa Valley's renowned wines are available onboard, as well as cocktail service! Guests enjoy visiting the 'Wine Tasting' Car to learn about wines or wineries to visit.  The 'gourmet express' excursion options offer two seatings during the three hours so guests enjoy half of the time in a Parlor or Bunge Car and half in the Dining Car. Cocktails or 100 types of wines are available in all railcars! Gourmet Meals range from three, four or five courses. The Champagne Vista Dome features elevated dining and more gourmet menu choices in this circa 1947' glass ceiling railcar. Menus in the Vista Dome are four or five courses, including a glass of sparkling wine. 

All guests enjoy an informal pre-boarding Wine Education & Tasting in the station prior to the luncheon excursions. 

The McKinstry Depot features three retail shops ... the Wine Emporium with over 200 wines labels for sale, Unique Gift Express, Baubles & Beads and the Artist's Gallery feature with the Artist's Corner Coffee Bar. 

Napa Valley Wine Train
1-800-427-4124
Wine Train

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Business Services

Business Acquisitions 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALE!

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

For Information regarding opportunities please contact our office and schedule a complimentary consultation.  
 
Contact us at:  +1-310-601-3115 (Beverly Hills Office)

or Email: contact@corb7.com