It’s Working Wednesday again – today’s video explains how to get yourself online and get some exposure for your business.  This is part one of two focusing on this subject.  Today we’ll look at Websites and Blogs.  Whether your business is online, or whether it is a store/restaurant or other tangible location, these days, a website is an absolute must for people to find you!

Click below to get started:

• Dreamweaver
• Photoshop
• WordPress (link to online version – there is a hosted version as well – click here for that one)

I don’t know if anyone else out there is a fan of the series “Charmed”?  Well, I still like it, what can I say – I’m a fan of magic and possibilities!  Quick synopsis for those who have no idea what I’m talking about – 3 sister witches who battle evil to save the world, and date demons along the way.  (Don’t we all do that, LOL!?)  So on a recent episode, I thought there was an interesting correlation to Accompanying Spouses in the culture transition process.  In this episode, Cole, who is a demon one of the witches is dating, loses his powers.  He is half demon, half human, and due to an “accident”, he loses his demon powers, and becomes fully human.  As a demon, he was able to “shimmer” (call it teleport) anywhere he wanted.

As he accepts this change within himself, he goes for a walk, and on the way home, realizes he can no longer shimmer home, and walking home takes a lot longer!  He says, “I’ev always been a demon, that’s all I know.”

Now, I’m not trying to compare working to being a demon! (though I’m sure we feel like one on some occasions) but for an Accompanying Spouse who relocates to a country where they can no longer work, the transition can be quite difficult.  Especially if your job has defined who you are and you suddenly don’t have one – you will confront an identity challenge.

On this particular episode of “Charmed”, the witch dating Cole tries to have a romantic date night with him, but he is so lost in his transition that he tries to brainstorm ideas of everything they should worry about and how to tackle it, so he cannot be in the moment with his girflfriend.  In a marriage, going through this transition will also cause some challenges that each partner needs to be aware of.  It’s important to not only expect the challenges, but also to prepare some ways to handle it.  Here are a few suggestions:

1. The Accompanying Spouse, if he or she cannot work, should, as best as possible, try to commit to creative ways to create income, or, look at alternate ways to provide for the family.
2. As the ego steps in, during the process, the Expat (the partner who is working) should be prepared to talk openly, and also be aware of any changes in how you view your partner, who was once a provider, and may now be a dependent
3. Consider money issues before you move – how will you handle them
4. Make joint goals together – perhaps non-financial related – and remember to CELEBRATE when you accomplish them.  Also check in on goals you have now, and check whether any of them need to be re-prioritized or shifted, to avoid disappointment going forward.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but as a couple, you should work together to figure out what methods you can put in place to be sure each partner feels heard, each partner remains committed to marriage goals, and there is some outlet for fun and nurturing your relationship.

* For more ideas on successfully transitioning cultures and avoiding relocation depression, click here! *

Welcome back to the Working Wednesday video series!  This is part 3 – and it’s one of the most fun, and most difficult, in the process – choosing a name!  There’s a lot of thought and research that goes into the process.

Click below to learn more:

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the video:

• The Tess Database
• Five Dollar Logos (and more!)
• Free Keyword Tracker

Welcome to Working Wednesdays – the 10-part video series designed to help you understand and implement the basic steps you need to start a new business!

Today’s lesson is about delving further into your business choice by looking at personal experience, qualifications, competition and more.  Just click below to get started:

Today begins our next video series!  I was so inspired by all the great feedback from the last one that I’ve put together a new series.  This one will focus on starting a new business.  Though anyone who wants to start a business can benefit, this can be especially helpful to those of you out there who are an Accompanying Spouse looking for meaningful work, as well as an Expat who might just have a great idea.

This series will cover just the basics of taking a great idea into reality – what you need to consider to start your business, getting your business online, and more!  This is a 10-part series and will take place every Wednesday.

Today’s video will discuss the idea stage – how to determine WHAT to do and what business to create:

It’s Culture Transition Tip Tuesday again!

Here is Tip #10

At the recent FIGT (Families in Global Transition) conference, I was quite surprised at the gap between those that live the expat life, and those that sponsor it.  Specifically, when it comes to the difficulties that expats and relocating professionals and trailing spouses experience during the transition process, they all acknowledge the difficulties, yet businesses do not seem to fully embrace, and understand, the need for expat coaching. 

The process of selecting a candidate is quite lengthy, and the cost of sending said employee overseas is approximately 10 times that employee’s base salary.  So, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions, to send an employee to an overseas work assignment.  If that employee doesn’t complete their assignment (often due to family issues, or problems adjusting), the business stands to lose all the money they invested in that employee. 

Why, then, don’t all or most businesses take measures to prevent an employee from the potential spiral of disempowerment, homesickness, isolation and depression?  All of these areas can be either avoided, or transformed with the help of expat coaching, which, when compared to the expense of losing an investment, is both affordable and highly valuable.

What are your thoughts on this?

* Interested in learning more about Expat Coaching? Check out the Expat Coach Directory. *

Expats will always face cultural differences, but have you considered what it would be like if you moved someplace where corruptive business practices were considered normal or acceptable?

Click here to read a very interesting article suggesting that HR professionals need to prepare expats for questionable business practices depending on the assignment.

If you’re going to continue to work for the same company, the adjustment could be even harder because you may expect the new job to be just like the old one. It’s very easy to start a new job with the expectation and hope that you’ll fit in perfectly, be well-respected because your great reputation from your current department will precede you, and that hard work will help you get a promotion within a defined period of time.

The reality, however, is that when you move abroad for work, you need to be ready for a complete mental and cultural shift. What helped you advance to this point in your career may not work in your new office. In fact, trying to work and behave in the same manner could quickly leave you isolated by your peers, and insulting your management. In addition, if you don’t make the effort to learn the local language, should it be different than your native one, you risk the possibility of never truly adapting or fitting in at your new job.

Here are a few ideas to help you prepare for your overseas work experience:

1. Don’t assume that your current work ethic and style will earn you the same positive reputation you have now
2. Learn the local language if it’s different than your own. Even if you don’t speak it fluently, your colleagues and management will have more respect and admiration for you if you make the effort.
3. Take the time to understand local cultures and traditions in the workplace which may be very different than those you’re accustomed to.

** Want more strategies to adapt to a new job, fit in with your colleagues, adjust to new office politics and more? Check out The Professional Success Method! **

*** Need tips to seal the deal in your job interview? Get a copy of my top ten interview secrets! ***

I just saw the movie “Julie and Julia” (great film!) and it made me think about one of the very important things you need to do to ensure you’re happy after relocating.  Namely, you need to pursue your passions.

When you relocate, having a passion and pursuing it gives you an outlet that will help you overcome the areas you may be less happy about. You need to figure out what you love doing.  That could be cooking, crafts, photography, helping others, etc. Then you need to find a way to use that passion, no matter what.  Whether or not it’s for pay, the mere fact that you have something to look forward to every day, or every week, will help give meaning and happiness to your life no matter where in the world you are!