What you will find in this edition

• News & Events:  Ransom Attacks, Costa Rica Seminar ,US Litigation Crisis   
• Business Tools: What is Discipline   
• Feature: Cross-Border Planning in Cook Islands
• Executive Fitness: Vitamin Infused Coffee
• International Spirits & Cuisine: Beer Can Chicken
• Business Success: Buying a Pre-Owned Jet

International Business

Current Events

Ransom Attacks Quadrupled

As reported by Beazley Breach Insights,  Ransom ware attacks soar in 2016, and are projected to double again in 2017.  Beazley was founded in 1986 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol (BEZ.L). Beazley plc is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, the US, Asia, Middle East and Australia. Beazley manages six Lloyd’s of London syndicates.  Ransom ware attacks handled by Beazley more than quadrupled in 2016, with nearly half of these attacks in the healthcare sector, and Beazley projects these attacks will double again in 2017.

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 Fast-Track Costa Rica: Lifestyle and Opportunity Conference  

When:  August 17th – 19th 2017
Where: San Jose, Costa Rica

Whether you are retiring, buying a second home or starting anew life – this conference might help you make it happen.  Sponsored by International Living Magazine you will discover if Costa Rica is the place for you.

Click Here for Information

United States Litigation Crisis      

We are not really sure that this is what the US needs to create jobs and enhance business but here it is.  Hopefully, our sarcasm is apparent in the previous sentence. In any case, it just got easier to file lawsuits in the United States and join class action litigation with  ClassAction.com

Here are a few of our thoughts about civil litigation in the United States supported by facts.  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. 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. In addition, 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.

“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

International Business

Tools for the Business Owner 

What is Discipline?  

John “Jocko” Willink is an American podcaster, author and retired United States Navy SEAL. He received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service in the Iraq War. Below we offer a three minute video from him on how he defines discipline.

Video Presentation

International Business

Feature Article 

Cross-Border Business Planning 

The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with political links to New Zealand. Its 15 islands are scattered over a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. To the north, Aitutaki Island has a vast lagoon encircled by coral reefs and small, sandy islets. The country is renowned for its many snorkeling and scuba-diving sites. It is also known worldwide for its asset protection legislation.

Cook Islands
Location:  1850 miles NE of New Zealand
Capital City:  Avarua
Population:  12,271 (2008)
Language Spoken:  English
International Time:  EST + 16 1/2 hours
Airline Service:  Air New Zealand, Cook Islands International, United, US Airways, Air France
Currency:  New Zealand dollar
Type of Government:  Self-governing territory of the United Kingdom
Main industries:  Agriculture and manufacturing
Tax Treaty:  Yes
OECD:  Approved
FATF:  Approved
Additional Notes:  Passed legislation in the early 1980s that allows for a high degree of flexibility, simplicity and administrative ease for offshore sector.

Video Presentation 

Lifestyle

Executive Fitness

New Company Offers – Vitamin Infused Coffee  

VitaCup, a new company offering single-serving, K-Cup®-style coffee and tea pods infused with essential vitamins, today launched with three flavorful blends: French Roast, French Vanilla and Green Tea. The brand maximizes the benefits of coffee and tea by incorporating vitamins that are critical to peak body function, and help to combat fatigue, boost immunity, and speed up the metabolism.

VitaCup’s founder and CEO is Brandon Fishman, a San Diego-based entrepreneur who has also founded five internet companies, including digital marketing agency IMI, where he currently serves as CEO. Fishman was inspired to create VitaCup in 2015 after he consulted a naturopathic doctor, who specialized in hormones, lifestyle medicine, and clinical nutrition, to find out why he felt chronically unwell. He frequently came down with colds, normal workouts drained him, and he endured inexplicable hangovers after just 1-2 drinks. Blood panels showed Fishman was severely deficient in vitamins B1 (thiamine) and B12. Without sufficient B1, he couldn’t properly metabolize alcohol, and he was suffering from adrenal fatigue due to a lack of B12 – hence the exhaustion and hangovers

Video Presentation

Lifestyle

Spirits & Cuisine   

Stubbs Steak Rub  

Spring is here and with it comes BBQ season for most of the nation. After the harsh winter that slammed the East Coast, it is most welcome. One of our favorite products to use for the grill this time of year comes from Stubb’s Legendary Kitchen, Inc. You probably have seen their marinade in your local grocery store but did you know their story? Christopher B. Stubblefield, Sr. was born in 1931 in Texas as one of 12 children. “Stubb” became known for his barbecue sauces, rubs and marinades after opening his first restaurant in Lubbock, Texas in 1968. He later moved his business to Austin where it stands today having survived his passing in 1995. We highly recommend their steak rub but all of their products are high quality!

Video Presentation

Lifestyle

Business Success  

Buying Your First Jet   

Prices have been coming down on pre-owned jets, so perhaps now it may be worth investing in your own aircraft.

Video Presentation

Business Services

Corb7 International “Think 7 Continents – Think a World of Opportunity”