5 Tips on How to Connect With People You Don't Know

5 Tips on How to Connect With People You Don’t Know

5 Tips on How to Connect With People You Don't Know

This morning I met “@Coach_Colette” from New York City in person in Brussels while she was giving a talk for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s project Global Library grantees.

I met Colette on Twitter through Leo “@srleosalazar” I also met Leo on Twitter and after a couple of Tweets, Leo offered me a fantastic virtual experience: A “live” Twitter interview.

I have not met Leo directly, but we use Skype and I can hear his voice and see Leo has an extraordinary presence when asking questions. We may or may not be business partners, but that doesn’t matter. What’s really interesting and amazing is how Twitter helps make “statistically impossible connections” with people you don’t know. I have several virtual Twitter friends that I meet directly and several others I follow on Facebook or Linkedin.

Building a strong network of friends, relatives, or colleagues is one of the most powerful tools you can develop to be tough, especially for expatriate “married couples”. Expatriation is a great experience for most people, but it is usually not easy for “trailing couples”, most of whom are women.

Here are some tips on effective networking for developing professional connections and making new friends…

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5 Tips for Overcoming the US Market

5 Tips for Overcoming the US Market

5 Tips for Overcoming the US Market

ONE: Pay attention to your business capabilities

The first important step is an honest assessment of your business. Developing an export market takes time: it’s not uncommon for producers to spend three years focusing, energy and costs before getting their first order. So when you focus on your export business, you need to make sure your local operations operate smoothly.

Obtaining export success can create volatile demand forecasts that lead to overstocking or understocking and production variations that limit the capacity to complete orders on time.

Exporters need to be aware that ‘niche’ and ‘small’ in the US is very different to Australia.

For example, if you win a contract with a ’boutique’ supermarket with 10 stores it might sound very manageable, but it’s not unusual for boutique” supermarkets to pull in over $300 000 a week in revenues.

Scaling up production quickly to meet increased demand ultimately requires increased investment for additional equipment, inventory, logistics, staff and marketing. Also, exporting adds an extra complexity to normal business cash flow management, particularly when costs outstrip export sales returns.

TWO: Research, research

Export homework should be rigorous. Discovering too late that a successful local brand cannot be used in the US …

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3 Ways to Make Your Office Space More Welcoming

3 Ways to Make Your Office Space More Welcoming

3 Ways to Make Your Office Space More Welcoming

If you often have trouble concentrating at work, it may be time to give your office space a makeover. A brighter, more vibrant office can help you enjoy your time at work more and boost your productivity as a result. Whether you add a few succulents or highlight your desk with bold sticky notes, there are plenty of ways to make small but meaningful changes to your work area. Here are three simple ways to create a warmer and more welcoming office space.

1. Add a Splash of Color

Incorporating bright colors into your workspace is an easy way to instantly elevate your mood. From vibrant reds to sunny yellows, tastefully adding touches of eye-catching hues can help your office look less sterile and more inviting. You can make room for your favorite colors when you buy handmade paintings online or when you choose office supplies with fun patterns and designs.

2. Include Interactive Furniture

The furniture in your office shouldn’t just be there to give you a place to sit and do work. By including furniture that promotes collaboration and conversation, you can boost teamwork at your office. This helps both you and your colleagues form stronger relationships and …

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