Below you will find a selection of the most recent entries from bloggers in our Work/Business section.
To view the entries from individual bloggers, click on the links below:
- Claire Doole - Claire Doole Communications
Claire is a former BBC correspondent and international spokeswoman who is passionate about helping people communicate with confidence. Since 2006, she has successfully trained hundreds of professionals in the art of presenting and public speaking, talking to the media, managing communications in a crisis, and writing for the web. In addition, she has coached C-level executives and public figures to give powerful TEDx and TED style talks in Europe and the Middle East. A Swiss and UK national, Claire trains and coaches in French and English.
- Elizabeth Ballin - Life Coach
As a long time member of the international community in Geneva, Elizabeth Ballin has been coaching adults and students from all parts of the world. She has coached business professionals, musicians/artists, couples, families and adolescents. She is a fully accredited Life Coach by the International Coaching Federation. Elizabeth Ballin, Life Coach
- Patrick Hoza - US Tax & Financial Services
Since 1990, Patrick has many years of experience with US individual expatriate taxation under his belt, including High Net Worth Individuals, streamline/voluntary disclosure filings and tax consulting, as well as working with large multinationals like Novartis, BP, Hewlett Packard and General Electric. He has extensive knowledge in serving both US expatriates and resident and non-resident aliens with their US tax-related issues. Patrick Hoza is a Tax Director at US Tax & Financial Services, with extensive experience in all aspects of Individual US tax and Expatriation, including Hight Net Worth Individuals and large multinationals.
Patrick started his career in 1990 in California, with Westpro Ltd., as a Senior Tax Consultant, then spent the middle part of his career working at KPMG and Ernst & Young. During his time with Ernst & Young, he worked and lived in Russia, France and finally Switzerland. He has gained a valuable working knowledge of the respective income tax regulations in all of these countries.
Patrick holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Colorado, is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and is a Certified Acceptance Agent.
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Melitta Campbell - Business Coach
Business Coach and Mentor with nearly 3 decades of business experience and a passion for helping women confidently build a business they love. She is also the founder of the Swiss Entrepreneurs Club and president of the Swiss Riviera Toastmasters Club in Montreux. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Montreux in a chalet she has renovated with her husband overlooking the Swiss Alps. - Sunita Sehmi - Walk The Talk
Founder of Walk The Talk, Sunita has been training, developing and now coaching Business Communication skills in both companies and educational establishments for over twenty years. She has a passion for helping people to maximise their potential and created Walk The Talk with the sole aim to drive each and every client to perform their best.
- Robert Harris- Forth Capital
With over 25 years experience working for some of the major financial institutions in the City of London, Robert is a founding partner of Forth Capital, the leading expat financial advisory company in Switzerland. Regulary quoted in newspaper articles and magazines, he is well placed to advise expats on a variety of financial issues that may arise during their time living in Switzerland.
- Debbie Croft - Croft Coaching
As the founder of Croft Coaching, Debbie has a passion for helping people overcome challenges, embrace change and live life to the full; with an ethos of “work hard, play hard”.
- Sarah Santacroce - Simplicity
A certified social media, internet marketing, and virtual event specialist, Sarah enjoys every aspect of small business marketing. Through her own business, Simplicity, it is her mission to help other small businesses and solopreneurs increase their visibility and use social media tools as part of their marketing strategy.
- Diana Ritchie - SSC Sàrl
A Director at Swiss Career Connections, Diana will provide you with some useful tips for job hunting.
Photo courtesy of nellart
By Crissy Mueller, Writing that Works
One of the challenges you might face as an expat building up your own business here is how to attract local, non-English speaking customers/clients, especially if you don’t speak the language (well). Can it even be done? How?
I would say the answer is YES. It’s possible. At first, it might seem daunting. But with just a little effort and perhaps investing in the right resources, it could make a huge difference to your bottom line. Here are some ways to get started:
1.Learn about the local business and consumer culture
The gap between the “international” and the “local” might seem larger than it actually is simply because of lack of knowledge. The best place to start is to research the business culture in Switzerland. Switzerland is a bit complex because of the four different language regions – but there are some overarching commonalities as well. Many helpful points on doing business in Switzerland are summarized here. Also, observe the ways other companies in your niche advertise and market their businesses. Gather samples of flyers, etc. Watch some Swiss TV commercials. What do people seem to like.
2.Meet local people
Getting to know local people is key, and not just necessarily in a business networking setting, but in any setting. Good options are networking opportunities available through organizations such as OWIT Lake Geneva (mostly geared towards women). The Workshops and Seminars section of the knowitall.ch calendar is also worth keeping an eye on. For an excellent opportunity to meet other local entrepreneurs, look out for the “Free for Lunch” events organized by the Business Club of the Vaud chamber of commerce (CVCI). This event brings together local business executives for an informal networking opportunity over lunch. While the Business Club itself is open to members only, anyone can attend events like this one as it’s organized in cooperation with International Link (an organization created by the CVCI to promote the integration of expats in the region). Look out for the next “Free for Lunch” event (and many others) on the International Link calendar.
Photo courtesy of spekulator
By Crissy Mueller, Writing that Works
If you are thinking of setting up your own business, one of your first decisions will be what to call it. The name you choose will be the basis for your whole branding/marketing strategy – and will hopefully create a powerful first impression.
The fun part (at least, for us right-brain thinkers) is coming up with something catchy and original. There are lots of resources and tools to do this, many just a mouse click away, including everything from articles written by experts on latest trends to mind mapping and other tools to get your creative juices going.
But then there is the whole, legal/administrative side to consider, which is what I want to focus on here. There are a few limitations particular to Switzerland that it’s good to be aware of before you launch into the creative part. If you’re an expat lacking fluency in one of the country’s official languages, finding information about these legal guidelines in English all in one place is not so easy. I am by no means an expert on all this, but here are a few useful things to keep in mind from my personal experience as a fellow expat, to give you a place to start.
Personal branding has become a buzzword in recent years and it is commonly accepted that each and every one of us is a brand except we just don't know it…..
But as luck would have it I have just finished reading an excellent book about Personal branding by John Purkiss and David Royston-Lee of Brand You — Turn Your Unique Talents Into A Winning Formula and as the authors state in their book, “Building your brand is about discovering the talents you love to use, as well as your values and your purpose. Everything else – including your goals, objectives, aims and personal brand statement – flows from these discoveries about yourself.”
I have used exercises in this book with countless clients (including myself) and some younger clients too (my boys aged 13, and 17)….and it always works; it always gives clients a richer understanding of who they are and always gives them a clearer indication where they want to be. Most significantly it gives a better insight into their own personal brand, their own identity and their own talents.
Here is what to do
- Start with a blank sheet of paper. In a column on the left hand side, make a list of the high points – or peak experiences – in your life.
- Your high points could occur in any area of your life, including school, university, work, hobbies, travel, time with your family or playing sport.
- The more experiences you identify and note down, the more material you have to work with.
- The second step is to question each high point. Which talents were you using and which did you enjoy the using the most?
- With what kind of people? In what kind of situation? You may notice themes connecting the high points. This will tell you the talents you love to use and the way you enjoy using them.
- Now it is time to discover your values — the things you believe are important.
- On another blank sheet of paper, make a list of everyone you admire. Think of your family, friends, current and former colleagues, famous people, fictional people, cartoon characters and so on. Even if you admire someone for one particular attribute, and nothing else, you should still include them on your list.
- Now note down the qualities you admire about each person. It's entirely up to you what you write. Again, it does not have to be socially acceptable.
This exercise can be done individually or in a group. It is really very insightful.
As they say in their book “once you have an understanding of your talents and your values, you have the basis for building a very strong brand.”
Good luck!
References: John Purkiss is the co-author with David Royston-Lee of Brand You — Turn Your Unique Talents Into A Winning Formula http://www.brandyou.info/
Bio
Sunita Sehmi was born in London and is of Indian origin. She has a Psychology degree and a Post Grad in the Development and Training for Adults from the University of Surrey.
She began her career in the recruitment industry where she worked in Executive Finance Recruitment in the city of London. Upon her arrival in Geneva, she completed the advanced level Cambridge University training certificate (CELTA) and thus began a career in teaching, training and development. She has taught English and Communication skills both in companies and in educational institutions for over twenty years. She is now the founder of Walk The Talk. www.walkthetalk.ch
Sunita lives Geneva with her husband and their two boys. She is currently studying towards a Masters in Career Management and Coaching at the University of Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchatel and Fribourg.
By Diana Ritchie, Spouse Career Center and Swiss Career Connections
Swiss Career Connections recently ran a workshop entitled “Inside secrets to becoming a top candidate”. Held at the Chambre Vaudoise du Commerce et de l’Industrie (CVCI) http://www.cvci.ch/ in collaboration with International Link http://www.internationallink.ch/, the workshop was designed to help those looking for “the edge” on how to secure a job in the Lake Geneva region. Judging by the feedback of our participants, many of our secrets were particularly well received!
One topic that was covered in the workshop was the so-called “Elevator Pitch”. This is such an important part of the job search process that we are frequently asked, as experts on the topic, to provide more information on how it works at local seminars and workshops. So, I thought as a gift to everyone, I would share with you the elements of a successful elevator pitch so you may also benefit.
What is an Elevator Pitch? An elevator pitch, as the name indicates, is a pitch that is short enough to fit within an elevator journey. Why is it necessary? An elevator pitch is seen as a hook that incites the receiver (the person you are speaking with) to say “tell me more”, to pose follow up questions, to ask for your business card, to invite you for a meeting, or to refer you to someone else. Why is this important? Well imagine you are face to face with the manager of your ideal job, or the golden client, or a colleague at work and he asks “So what do you do?” Do you have an answer prepared or will you stumble your way through, perhaps losing an opportunity?
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