Business International - 5 Crucial Factors to Consider When Sourcing Products Globally

By Bruce Thomsan

Sourcing products from a different country can be a great way to expand your business as it comes with many advantages. Like, you get a new market to explore business opportunities, you lower your production costs, get raw materials at a cheaper rate, increase your production capacity, the quality of your products also improves over time. And you will be in a better position to compete with other players in the market.

But you can enjoy these benefits of global sourcing only if you consider certain important factors. They include:

1. Financial Risks

Sourcing products from overseas cuts down on the costs of labour and raw materials but brings along with it a monetary risk which includes paying additional costs like:

Shipping and hidden costs

Cost of delay

Costs incurred due to loss of goods

Other costs like documentation fees, supplier fees, cost of transactions, etc.
2. Product Quality

Quality decides the level of acceptance of goods and so it should not be compromised at all. But when sourcing globally, you might face issues with product quality. So, it is important for both the buyer and supplier to understand the value of delivering quality products and focus on excellence. In case you have received a defective shipment or the quality is not up to the mark, it becomes difficult to coordinate with the supplier due to a difference in the time zone and location.

3. Transportation Facility

Before you decide to procure goods from a different country, you need to know some important things related to logistics:

a. Whether domestic and international transportation is available

b. Whether the country's transportation infrastructure is dependable

c. How strong it is in case there is a seasonal fluctuation or a natural calamity

d. How flexible service providers are in implementing alternate plans to support on-time and safe delivery

4. Location

The closer the country, the better it is for you as a buyer. You can do the business in the same or close time zones, language won't be much of a problem, and there will be fewer restrictions on trading. So when you plan to go ahead with global product sourcing, keep in mind what the repercussions of sourcing from a different location will be and how they will affect your business.

5. Responsiveness of Global Sourcing Companies

Sourcing products from a different market or location is all about taking the right decision. These means choosing the best global sourcing companies that are open to accommodate changes as and when required and ensure on-time delivery. What if your competitor introduces new season's collection before you? You might lose a market and face financial losses too. To avoid such scenarios, it is important to consider the factor of having a receptive and trustworthy supplier.

Takeaways
If you want to expand your business globally by outsourcing products, these are some of the crucial factors that you should consider. You can also choose to work with some reputed   Indian buying agents who can help you in sourcing best quality products for your brand in an effective way.

Business Sales - How To Work Anywhere In The World

By Mike Brooks

Lately, I've received quite a few emails and phone calls from people asking me if I can help them find a phone sales job they can work anywhere in the world. I spoke with a woman last week who, apparently, has a lot of experience in inside sales, is used to working on a short-term contract basis, and wanted to know if I had any contacts with companies who could use her services. She wants to work from Paris.

Just today, my assistant forwarded me an email from a guy who asked this same question: did I know of any companies who were looking for remote inside sales reps. More and more people are wanting the flexibility to work from wherever, and, presumably, whenever they want, and why not? A couple of years ago, my wife and I took a condo on Waikiki Beach, HI, for two months. I worked in the mornings and by noon I was at the beach. It was pretty sweet.

So, is it possible to earn a living selling over the phone while enjoying the flexibility of working from where ever you want to? And, perhaps as importantly, is it possible to work less than 40 hours a week (or on a schedule that works for you) and still make enough money to enjoy the lifestyle you want?

I'd say, yes... but.

In order to pull this off the way you might want it, you have to get really, really good at selling over the phone first. And you need to have the self-discipline to maintain an independent, structured work day. Let's break this down quickly:

First, there are only a few really good, top producers in any company. These reps can literally write their own ticket because their employers value what they produce so much. If they want to do what they do from home or from Paris, with today's technology, most of them can. Moreover, they usually don't have to look for an industry or company to work for, because they are already successful doing what they do.

Unfortunately, not all sales reps are that good (or haven't put in the time to get that good yet). For the majority of sales reps like these, they could still conceivably work remotely, but it will be closely controlled, and they will make just an hourly wage (if they can find it). Not quite the freedom to explore Paris that we'd all imagine...

The solution is to first dedicate yourself to becoming the one of the best producers in your company or industry. If you can't do that, then your options will be limited. But once you've attained that level, then you'll have your pick of industries to work in.

Here's a big suggestion for you: Pick an industry that has recurring income. Three industries I can think of are debt collection, credit card processing, and financial services. In these (and other) industries, once you develop a book of business, you spend a lot of your time maintaining that book (and enjoying the flow of consistent income) and working referrals.

Next, you need to be self-motivated and very disciplined. Only you can determine if you can do that. I've found that very few people can (mostly the 80% of sales reps who are selling to pay their bills), but that the top 20% producers can.

Again, this is something you'll need to answer for yourself. If you can develop the structure and maintain the discipline it takes to work from a home office, then go for it-after you've become a top producer.

So, can you work remotely? Absolutely! You'll just have to pay your dues first by following the advice above. After that, well, enjoy Paris (or surfing Waikiki)!

Mike has been voted one of the most Influential Inside Sales Professionals for the past eight years by The American Association of Inside Sales Professionals and was awarded the 2018 Service Provider Award for Sales Script Development from the AA-ISP. Mike is hired by business owners to implement proven sales processes that help them immediately scale and grow Multi-Million Dollar Inside Sales Teams. For more information, you can visit his website: http://www.MrInsideSales.com

Self Improvement - My Unexpected Social Experiment

By Chris Atley

This week I enjoyed an extended period of Hawaiian vibes J It was nice to bring some mellow back to an extra full life! I so loved our break and when it was time to come home, I was reminded of how much I love the life we have created. Albeit a little chaotic at times, I love it ALL. One of my favourite things to do is drive my kids and their friends to where they need to go or have a house full of kids at our place. This week it was my turn to drive Jude and his buddies to their baseball practice (it's a good distance), and I so loved the conversations that ensued. It's a great way to keep up with my kids and to also create a fun, safe have been had in our hot tub! Sometimes it's these small moments that bring the most joy.

So while we were away we rented a "little red corvette". Remember that song by Prince?! We of course played it while driving around. We were hoping to get a jeep, but the island had a recall on them and so we went with a convertible. It was super fun BUT what I didn't expect was the way we were treated. Some good, some bad and a whole lot of interesting. Thus my unexpected social experiment was born. Read on to learn more AND how this type of behaviour is exactly what keep people stuck. Stuck from creating the success they want.

Have a beautiful weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all of you beautiful Mama's out there. You are amazing!! As a friend and I joked the other day, we are nailing it with our dogs! Mom of the year in that department for sure. Ha.

The responses we got varied while we tooted around in our little red corvette. They ranged from excitement, to dirty looks, to confusion.

Hmm... what was up with this I wondered?

Things got real when we pulled into a famous restaurant on the coast that had been recommended. We had just taken little corvette up to the top of a 10 000 foot high crater - an old volcano - and I in particular was not feeling so hot from the elevation. As we made our way down, we decided to pop into this spot for a snack. I was super stoked at the thought of fresh fish - I was praying for tacos - at a beautiful location by the water. We made our way over and when we pulled into the parking lot, we discovered it was valet only. No big deal, little red deserved some special treatment anyway right?! Special treatment it got NOT. The valet readily informed us that the restaurant was completely full. People have had reservations for days in advance he said, and there was no way we were getting in. We asked about having a drink at the bar instead where we were promptly told it was packed and there was absolutely no way.

Bummer we thought. It was our last day and we couldn't come back.

Well anyone who knows me well knows I don't take no for answer lightly. Where there's a will there's a way right?! So I decided to call from the car to get a reservation. Well as "luck" would have it someone cancelled their reservation and we were able to get one for 40 minutes later! Furthermore, we were welcome to come in and wait at the bar.

Hmm... again...

What gives I asked my husband? He explained that people don't like other people driving these cars. Why I asked? He then revved the engine and spun out. That's why he said! Oh...

So we went back to the restaurant, that initial valet being no where in sight. We went in, had plenty of seats to choose from at the bar and only waited about 20 minutes for our table. AND our table "happened" to be in the very best location. Right by the along the sand overlooking the water. We had the most gorgeous view and it was super romantic. We couldn't have planned it any better.

We then went to get the car, and the initial valet was there and had to get our car.

That's karma!

On our way back from the restaurant, my husband revved the car again at a stop sign and got yelled at! He wasn't even going fast, it was just LOUD.

Geesh...

This is so interesting I thought - that we were being completely judged and treated differently because of this car!

No wonder I thought, why people are afraid to step out and have nice things! I remember being super embarrassed when I drove my first higher end car - a white BMW. I remember pulling into the kids pre-school being so nervous people would judge me.

Who the heck cares what type of car one drives? It doesn't mean you're a bad person if you have nice things and it also doesn't make you a good person. It literally means nothing. It's society that has created all of this judgement around it. What a belief system based on lies.

Now it's not too far of a stretch to see this is also why people don't stand up for themselves, speak out AND create the success they want. Because they are afraid of this exact reaction. Being judged for being different. In all of my years coaching, most business owners are afraid of who they are going to leave behind once they reach their goals and dreams, and what said people will think of them if they do. But the level of success (any level really), they are talking about involves change, growth and usually letting go of toxic and unhealthy relationships. It can't not. Most people don't consciously judge, criticize or resent others for stepping out of the norm, but we can sure feel it, making interactions, with them unpleasant and uncomfortable to say the least. It's our habitual instinct to stay together as a group for mere safety and survival, so it makes sense why this happens. Well survival has changed and it's time to evolve in our thinking too.

Let's check in - where are you unconsciously treating others this way? Let's stop the judgement first and foremost, and celebrate other people's success. It takes courage - literally fighting ingrained instincts - to step outside of the box and follow your dreams.

But we can do it and continue to do it AND we can all rise together instead of it being so separate and exclusive.

Amen.

Self Improvement - Being Able To Face Pain Is An Important Part Of Developing Self-Awareness

By Oliver JR Cooper

A little while ago, I was thinking about the role that pain plays when it comes to developing self-awareness and self-knowledge. I thought that if someone experiences pain and ends up reaching out for something to take their pain away, it is going to stop them from looking into why they feel the way that they do.

And, if this is what takes place whenever they feel pain, it is going to stop them from being able to have a strong connection with their inner world. Their inner discomfort will be seen as something to avoid as opposed to something to be with.

The Downside

On the plus side, this will allow them to feel better and stop them from having to feel bad. Whatever they are drawn to, whether it be drugs, food, sex, social media or alcohol, for instance, it will be a way to sooth themselves.

The trouble with this approach is that they are not going to able to find out why they feel the way they do and then to do something about it. Their inner world will be sending them a message but they won't be listening.

A Flawed Approach

It is then not going to be possible for them to actually change their life; they will just be trying to take the pain away. Now, if this pain just appeared and it didn't mean anything, it wouldn't matter what they did with it.

However, this pain is going to be there for a reason and, if they were to take a deeper look into why they feel the way they do, it would give them the chance to understand themselves better. They would be able to gradually go from a human being who is walking about in a daze, to someone who is able to take a step back and to reflect.

One Consequence

Through being out of touch with the information that is within them, it is then going to be perfectly normal for them to believe that things just happen to them. They may even say that they are 'unlucky'.

This was something that Carl Jung was only too familiar with when he said; "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." What this shows is that ignoring what is going on internally won't cause it to disappear.

Out of Mind, but Not Out Of Sight

The feelings that someone doesn't want to face will end up being pushed into their so-called unconscious mind (body), and they will have a big impact on the kind of experiences that they have and on who 'appears' in their life. Their mind will have forgotten, yet their body will be only too aware of what is going on.

In addition to this, these feelings can end up impacting their physical health. For example, they might end up experiencing pain in their back, neck, and/or shoulders, without being able to make the connection.

The Next Step

It could be far worse than just physical pain, though, and what happens could end up being put down to their genetics. Undoubtedly, going within can be hard in the beginning, but it gets easier the more emotionally pain that is dealt with.

So, if you have been avoiding your inner world and would like to this to change, you may find that you need external support to begin with. Through working with a therapist or a healer, for instance, and building up your inner strength, you will soon be able to handle your inner world by you yourself.

Prolific writer, author, and coach, Oliver JR Cooper, hails from England. His insightful commentary and analysis covers all aspects of human transformation, including love, partnership, self-love, and inner awareness. With over one thousand seven hundred in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behaviour, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice.

To find out more go to - http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/

Feel free to join the Facebook Group -
   https://www.facebook.com/OliverJRCooper

Healthy - Can You Really Hypnotise Yourself?

By William T Batten

Imagine someone with a problem. Let's say they have a bad habit such as smoking. This problem comes from their unconscious thinking. Maybe it's something they picked up as a child. If it were conscious thinking, they could choose to change it. For changing unconscious thinking, hypnosis is the answer.

A hypnotic trance brings unconscious material into conscious awareness. It also loosens up your thinking, allowing you to view a problem from more angles. These allow you to change your patterns of thought that are usually invisible to you.

This is why I adore hypnosis. All of your problems - everything from phobias to business failures - have their roots in your unconscious. All of your greatest resources are there, too. If you've ever surprised yourself by being extra talented, charismatic or creative, this is how.

Hypnotic trances are wonderful. If the only way to experience one is by seeing a hypnotist, though, then that's a shame.

But is that the case?

Or can you hypnotise yourself?

The answer is that you certainly can. This surprises some people, who view a hypnotic trance as like being asleep. That isn't the case. If anything, hypnosis makes you hyperaware of what's happening. The idea that you'll forget everything is a myth.

A hypnotic trance is a way of engaging your unconscious mind. The conscious mind has its uses - it's great at planning and predicting, for example. But it's slow and likes simple models. If you need speed and complexity, then you'll enter a hypnotic trance.

Have you ever zoned out while driving, only to arrive at your destination safely? Have you ever driven your usual route, such as from home to work, even though you meant to set off elsewhere? The reason is that driving needs the rapid processing of a lot of information. Your conscious mind can't handle it.

It's only possible to drive while in a self-hypnotic trance.

The best way to think about trance is that it's a specific state of mind. Your states shape the way you think, act and see the world. For example, a happy state makes you open, trusting and eager to explore the world. A fear state makes you want to hide somewhere familiar.

A trance state emerges when you need to think in new ways. Can you simply choose to be in a trance? Well, yes and no. You can't choose to be happy, but you can do things to increase your chances of happiness. Seeing pictures of puppies and thinking of fun memories will do the trick for most of us.

You can encourage a trance state in a similar way. How? By creating conditions that welcome new thoughts. You don't need to think when there's a tiger in front of you - action is the better choice. In other words, new thoughts are only useful when you're safe and relaxed... but facing a problem.

Set the scene by getting comfortable and focusing your mind. More often than not, you'll begin to think in different ways. Welcome to the trance state.

If you're after specific techniques to hypnotise yourself, it varies from person to person. The answer that's right for you is in my guide to self-hypnosis, which you can read all about here:

   https://guided-thought.com/awakened-thought/

Skin Care - Controlling Your Psoriasis

By Jenetta Haim

Psoriasis is a condition that affects your skin it can just affect parts of your skin or, if allowed to spread, cover your whole body. If you are suffering from psoriasis it is important to have a healthy balanced diet as it will help get rid of it although psoriasis is hard to get rid of and you need to constantly monitor it. Changing your diet is one way that you can help ease the symptoms and once you have a new eating plan in place it will be easier to stick to it.

People who suffer from psoriasis have a higher risk of serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes and strokes and by having a healthy well-balanced diet the risk of these are also lowered. If you want to be sure which foods affect you personally have a test done for inflammation by your naturopath. That is totally different to the allergy tests your doctor can do.

However, as a general rule some of the foods that may be causing your psoriasis symptoms to get worse can include dairy products, tomatoes, potatoes, fried foods, processed food, sugar, gluten and alcohol. In short, denatured foods or foods that are mostly genetically modified or packaged in some way. However some vegetables may also affect some people. Always begin to cut foods out slowly and rather than cut them out replace them with other non-packaged, organic foods.

Foods that may help keep the psoriasis at bay can include things like fish and sea food which is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These help inflammation and your immune system: lean meats like chicken and turkey; blueberries, which have anti-inflammatory properties as well as vitamin C, manganese and fibre; carrots and squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and broccoli all have anti-inflammatory properties; nuts and avocados, which are full of good fat and grains which have anti-inflammatory antioxidants and are also high in fibre.

Eating these foods may help ease your psoriasis symptoms as well as lower the risk of developing other health issues like the above-mentioned heart disease, diabetes and strokes. Everyone is different and that is why its is not only important to maintain a healthy well balanced diet but to also find which foods are affecting your symptoms the most by slowly eliminating one food at a time to see if it has any effect and if so stop eating them.

Jenetta Haim runs Stressfree Management (R) at Greystanes in Sydney, Australia. Jenetta specializes in assisting your health and lifestyle in all areas by developing programs on either a corporate or personal level to suit your needs. Contact Jenetta now for her to assist you with your personal or corporate needs. Email  info@stressfreemanagement.com.au. For more information check out the website at http://www.stressfreemanagement.com.au