Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Being Too US-Centric is a Missed Opportunity

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Being Too US-Centric is a Missed Opportunity A recentMcKinsey studyfound that while global U.S. companies only account for less than 1 percent of all U.S. companies, they earned 25 percent of total U.S. gross profits. But although internationally-minded firms are bigger and more successful, too many organizations don’t set their sights beyond our own country â€"hampering their growthand overall potential. Global operations offer organizations a slew of benefits, from establishing new markets for mature products and services and reducing dependence on an American customer base to boosting sales during slow periods in the U.S. and competing more effectively against foreign firms. Here’s the process for taking your business, products, and services overseas. Gather intelligence one country at a time Narrow your research efforts by starting with the most promising market. Does your product or service exist there already? If so, how is it doing? Who are your major competitors? Does the country in question have the infrastructure (i.e. availability of supplies, staff, physical accommodations, roads) to support your business? If you will be bringing a new product or service to this market, is it likely that it will sell well? After analyzing your market’s demographics and attitudes and deciding to move forward, you should prepare to adequately educate aculturally-diversecustomer base on the benefits of your offering. During your investigation, theDepartment of Commerce websiteas well asBuyUSA.gov,Export.gov, andTrade.govshould prove helpful. For more where this came from, head on over to Intuits Fast Track blog.

Top 5 Personal Branding Tips for Recent Graduates - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Top 5 Personal Branding Tips for Recent Graduates - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I know a lot of graduates who are very concerned with their chances as nabbing a job when they graduate. I decided to write a post to help guide you to the promise land, give you a load of confidence and hope, as well as point you in the right direction. Getting a job after college can be a terrible and annoying process, but Ive been there, so I know how it feels and I want to help you. This post is for you college students! ?? This post also appears as a guest post on Gradspot.com. 1. Go through your Network Strength Pyramid Networking is paramount for getting in-demand and desirable jobs throughout your career. It will also save you from months of labor intensive work submitting your resume to job boards and corporate websites. I developed the “Network Strength Pyramid” to show people that they need to start thinking of everyone they meet as a possible connection to a new opportunity. Your family is your strongest connection, followed by friends and then acquaintances sit at the bottom. When you have built rapport and a relationship, the chances someone would drop what they are doing to help you increases significantly. Most people won’t be compelled to go out of their way for you when you meet them for the first time. Make your life one big networking event! 2. Change your mindset Recent grads must understand that working conditions are rough right now. There have been 1.9 million layoffs since January and the job growth rate for entry-level graduating seniors is only at 1.3%. This means you need to do things differently. If you follow the same advice you’ve ever gotten in the past, then you will only have results equal to that, and in this economy, that means failure. You need a “brand you” mindset to succeed, not just in acquiring a job, but keeping it and progressing in it. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own brand, much like Coca Cola and Nike. You get to name your colors, logo, and overall experience. How would you describe “brand you” to others? Forget about getting a job title; make your own job title. In a world where things are constantly changing, you need to be the commander of career, which means that at the end of the day, success lies in your hands! 3. Collect everything you’ve already done and put it to work One of the sad parts of life is that people are obsessed with what you’ve done in the past. When I wanted to get a job, I leveraged every single project I did in the past as case studies for the future. For instance, I led a team to establish a business plan in college, created websites for companies and did cool projects in my internships at LoJack and Reebok. I was then able to use the results of the projects in a marketing pitch to get a job when I graduated. I know you might want to forget about the past, but trust me, it’s worthwhile to catalog everything you do, just in case something you’ve done applies to a future job. 4. Are you an entrepreneur or a corporate employee? This is a very important question to ask yourself because it depicts what you’ll be doing upon graduation. If you’re an entrepreneur, you may be looking to start a business immediately, continue a business you started in college or work for a company, until what you’re doing outside of work takes off. If you want to be a corporate employee, then you will want to get a job when you graduate, and possibly go to graduate school, so you can move up into management as soon as possible. 5. Use social media to build personal equity Having trouble networking, getting your ideas out there and claiming a piece of the digital world? Look no further than social media to provide a channel by which you can accomplish all three. I would recommend starting a blog that relates to both your passion and expertise. Next, I would ensure that you register your name on the top social networks and link from one to the next. Links build equity in your sites, leaving your sites ranking higher in Google, so people can find you. The reach of the internet using these tools is extraordinary and can help you connect with the right people at the right time.

7 Days to a More Balanced Life - Classy Career Girl

7 Days to a More Balanced Life According to the law of attraction, we can attract what and who we want into our life by holding space for that thought. By holding positive energy, we attract positive results. Today I would like to introduce you to something new you may not have known about before to help you live a more balanced life in 7 days. Chakras are the 7 energetic centers located at your endocrine glands. When your chakras are balanced, energy is able to freely flow through you energetic system which leads to a greater sense of peace, happiness, and wellness. Having balanced chakras impacts your aura, your energetic field. A balanced and cleansed aura will allow you to attract positive results. There are numerous ways to balance and cleanse your chakras from eating foods associated with the colors of each of the chakras to practicing yoga where particular poses help to open up certain chakras. Not sure which chakra needs clearing? Take an inventory of your current biggest challenges. Is it communicating effectively and with compassion with a coworker (throat chakra)? Is it forgiving your boss for an unfair remark (heart chakra)? Each day, focus on balancing one chakra at a time. By the end of the week, notice how you feel once when you have a more balanced chakra system! Day 1: Balance Your  Sense of Security Day 1 focuses on the Root Chakra which impacts your career, money mindset and sense of belonging. The root chakra, located at the base of the spine, is associated with your sense of security. When balanced, this helps your ability to handle conflicts with a calm and constructive mind. An imbalanced root chakra can lead to fatigue and anxiety. Here are 3 ways to clear the root chakra: 1. Going for a walk in nature will help you stay grounded. 2. Surround yourself with earthy smells, such as essential oils of cedar or clove. 3. Wear red, the color associated with the root chakra, to enhance your connection to the Earth. Remember, setting your intention matters. Before doing any of the activities, set your intention. For example, you might set the intention to balance your root chakra and to build your sense of security. Day 2: Balance Your Creative Energy Day 2 focuses on the Sacral Chakra which impacts sensuality, intimacy and creativity. The second chakra is the sacral chakra, associated with creativity. Its your pleasure center and the human emotional drive. The root chakra, located below the naval. When balanced, this gives you the ability to experience pleasure, helps nurture your sense of abundance and well-being. An imbalanced sacral chakra can lead to difficulties in relationships, jobs and health. Here are 3 ways to clear the sacral chakra: 1. Journaling to become more aware of the emotional drivers in your situation. 2. Take on creative activities: designing, drawing, painting, scrapbooking, writing, playing, doing crossword puzzles. 3. Wear orange, the color associated with the sacral chakra, to boost positive emotions. Day 3: Balance Your Inner Strength Day 3 focuses on the Solar Plexus Chakra which impacts your personal power and willpower. It is located at the stomach area and represents your ability to be confident and in control of your life. When balanced, it gives you the sense of self-confidence and courage. An imbalanced solar plexus chakra can lead to feelings of inadequacy and constantly second guessing yourself. Here are 3 ways to clear the solar plexus chakra: 1. Challenge yourself! Step out of your comfort zone by changing your daily routine. 2. Dressing sharp (even if you dont feel it)! 3. Wear yellow, the color associated with the solar plexus chakra, to brighten up your mood, raise your vibrations and increase your confidence. Day 4: Balance Your Love and Compassion Day 4 focuses on the Heart Chakra which impacts your  love, relationships and self-acceptance. The 4th chakra, the heart chakra, is associated with love, compassion, and forgiveness. When balanced, the energy produced by the heart chakra allows us to have meaningful relationships and to feel empathy, passion, and care for others. Jealousy, anger, bitterness, and resentment are symptoms of a closed heart chakra. Here are 3 easy ways to clear the solar plexus chakra: 1. Meditate to raise self-control of your thoughts which will lead to the positive choice of giving unconditional love. 2. Perform an act of kindness every day for a week. Notice how it makes you feel. 3. Wear green, the color associated with the heart chakra, to enhance the hearts vitality to give and receive love. Day 5: Balance Your Authenticity Day 5 focuses on the Throat Chakra which impacts your communication and authenticity. The 5th chakra, the throat chakra, is associated with communication, speaking your truth, and authenticity. When balanced, the energy from the throat chakra allows for open communication and honest self-expression. When imbalanced, you may struggle to communicate your real thoughts and feelings. Here are 3 ways to clear the throat chakra: 1. Singing, even if it’s only you in the shower, is a great therapy for opening the throat chakra. 2. Take a moment to organize your thoughts. Be comfortable with your own ideas and opinions. 3. Wear blue, the color associated with the throat chakra, to open up your communication channel. Day 6: Balance Your Intuition Day 6 focuses on the Third Eye Chakra which impacts you intuitive abilities and senses. The 6th chakra, the third eye chakra, is associated with intuition and wisdom. When balanced, you tend to make accurate intuitive decisions and evaluations about your career, family and the intentions of other people. You often have clear sense of direction in everything that you do. When imbalanced, you may be indecisive, uncommitted and unconfident of the decisions you end up making. Here are 3 ways to clear the throat chakra: 1. Visualization exercises: Close your eyes and imagine yourself doing something you love to do and allow yourself to daydream about yourself doing what makes you happy. 2. Keep a dream journal to your bed and as soon as you’re awake, jot down the key images you saw in your dreams. 3. Wear indigo, the color associated with the throat chakra, to open up your intuitive channel. Day 7: Balance Your Spiritual Self Day 7 focuses on the Crown Chakra which impacts your spirituality and enlightenment. The 7th chakra, the crown chakra, is associated with enlightenment and divine consciousness. When balanced, you perpetually feel connected to a higher power, be it God, the Universe or simply your higher self. You feel immense gratitude for the universal love and appreciation you feel towards yourself and others. When imbalanced, you may feel alone and despondent. Here are 3 ways to clear the crown chakra: 1. Gratitude for the tough challenges because these times are important in your life’s journey. The lessons from our biggest frustrations in life setbacks serve as teachers and guides. 2. Walking meditation outdoors helps to stimulate the pineal gland and open the crown chakra. 3. Yoga and spiritual studies will help move you forward on the path to enlightenment. May you start feeling more spiritually connected each day forward! Related Post: 2 Must Watch Yoga Workout YouTube Channels