8 Business Travel Tips for Smart Women

Business travel takes you away from home and loved ones and can cause all sorts of unexpected issues. Make your travel easier with these time-tested tips.

1. Sleep smart
Dark circles under your eyes aren't good for business. Many road warriors know that you can only use a certain amount of concealer to cover bags under your eyes to mask jetlag or poor sleep nights in strange hotel rooms. So carry eye masks and earplugs. Wax earplugs are better than the little foam ones. They are often sold as a swimming accessory and work well to mute noise, snoring and annoyingly chatty airline passengers. Invest in a blow-up pillow to sleep soundly on planes. They also prevent your hair from being flattened as you sleep.
2. Carry rations
The airlines are starving us! If your flight is delayed or has mechanical problems, you may spend hours on the runway or circling in the air while your stomach is screaming. Airlines offer little more than the tiny, salty rations of peanuts or pretzels for short flights. Carry a nutritious and filling power bar and an apple in your bag.
3. Wake up right
Hotel alarm clocks and wake-up calls can be unreliable. Pack an inexpensive sports watch with an alarm and a stopwatch. The stopwatch is useful for your workout on the exercise bike in the hotel fitness centre or to time your bubble bath. If you carry a pager, find out if it has an alarm function and learn how to use it.
4. Pack lightly
If you need to be dressed in business attire for a meeting the same day you travel , wear it on the plane. Always assume your luggage may be lost and be prepared. Don't put yourself in the awkward and expensive position of being dependent upon taxis and tip-hungry porters. Pack the least amount of clothes and shoes you think you can survive on. You can wear the same mix-and-match outfits day after day. Leave room in your bag for the shopping treasures you can't resist along the way.
5. Take dark clothes
They don't show stains, wrinkles or dirt, and work for most situations.
6. Cut down on shoes
How many shoes does a business traveller pack? Too many, usually! If the shoe fits, wear it ... don't carry it. Wear the shoes you'll need for business and pack one pair of trainers for walking, jogging or informal occasions.
7. Shop without guilt
Spend some money on yourself and buy presents and cards for your loved ones' upcoming birthdays.
8. Communicate with home
It is unproductive to leave messages on answering machines. If you are travelling to a different time zone, you may wake a grumpy loved one in the middle of the night. The easiest and cheapest way to communicate home from most countries is via fax. Sending a fax costs less than a long distance call and you don't have to deal with time differences. Leave your hotel fax number with friends and family. If you prefer email, set up free email accounts for your kids and send them notes and postcards.

Source: Marybeth Bond of Smart Woman

A Strong Woman vs A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape.....
A woman of strength looks deep inside to keep her soul in shape....
A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...
A woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear....
A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...
A woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone....
A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids them in the future...
A woman of strength realizes life's mistakes
can also be blessings and capitalizes on them....
A strong woman walks sure footedly...
A woman of strength knows when to ask for help...
A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face....
A woman of strength wears grace....
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...
A woman of strength has faith that it is
in the journey that she will become strong.


Author Unknown

Make Up Expiration

Here are some suggestions to help you decide when it’s time to toss old make-up:

• Foundation: 3-6 months
• Concealer: Wand applicator concealers should be tossed within 6 months since they’re likely to grow bacteria.
• Stick, twist-up tubes, or compact concealers can last up to 12 months, especially if you use a makeup brush to apply the product.
• Powders: Facial powder, blush and eyeshadow should be thrown out after one year.
• Eye shadow should be thrown out after any eye infection to, to avoid re-infecting yourself.
• Lip gloss and lipstick: 1 year
• Mascara: The shelf life for mascara is 3 months. If your mascara becomes dry, or you develop an eye infection, you should dump it immediately. Never share mascara!
• Pencils: If you sharpen them every few days, makeup pencils can last up to two years, but you want to them when they become dry, crumbly, and hard to apply.
• Natural cosmetics: Because these products do not contain preservatives, they should be used or discarded within 6 months.
• Moisturizers: 1 year
• Cleansers: 1 year

Here are some additional tips:

1. I know we’re going through a recession and with the cost of cosmetics, it’s much easier to share, but you should never share make-up.

2. Don’t put your fingers into your make-up, because the bacteria from your hands will be transported to your make-up. Use the applicator, brush, or makeup sponge instead.

3. Keep containers tightly closed, and store them in a cool, dry place.

4. Don’t use water or saliva to ease the application of a product. Doing so introduces bacteria into the product, which can cause a host of problems.

5. To help you remind you when it’s time to throw your cosmetics out, write the expiration date on a label and stick it on the bottom of the product.

Source: Melissa Rich (Vanity Rich)

Ultimate Guide to Spas

What Spa is right for you?

• Day Spa - is the most accessible kind, as they are found everywhere - malls, neighborhood, salons etc. Treatments are as short as 30 minutes and as long as whole day.
• Resort Spa - is usually found within the grounds of a vacation destination.
• Medical Spa - offers a wide range of medical treatments alongside regular spa therapy. The Farm at San Benito in Lipa City, Batangas offers quiet weekend of pampering & relaxing away from the city.
• Destination Spa - is designed to give one's health a total make over. Education programs, supervised spa treatments, physical fitness activities & healthy cuisine are part of the guest's experience over a period of a few days.
• Wellness Spa - or holistic spa is visited by people with specific health problems as well as those who want to improve their lifestyle.

Lessons from a Filipino Woman Entrepreneur

• Don't let humble beginnings hold you back. Look to the future not the past.
• Don't go for the "quick profit" if it sacrifices quality. Your reputation is your best marketing tool.
• Remember after sales service. It's more effective to get repeat business from a happy customer than to work on "cold calls" on new ones.
• Recognize those who helped you and give them their due respect.

If you want to start your own small business, let us help you. This micro finance organization company lends to women with the smallest businesses from sari-sari store to street corner banana cue stands. They provide both individual and group loans, starting with amounts as low as P2,000 to P90,000. They just don't lend money, they also build communities and help women who wants to be independent and create livelihood programs for them. This organization gives resources available to those who'd never have the credit lines to borrow from a bank.

How to Apply Perfume

DON'T splash perfume all over your clothes. It could stain the fabric.

DO apply perfume lightly to the body's pulse points, wrists, base of the throat, behind the ears, at the temples, behind the knees, the back of the neck and cleavage area. One round application to all the pulse points will do. If you like a bit of dramatic flair, spray some into the air and walk through it to soak in your favorite scent.

DON'T rub your wrists together after spraying on perfume. This breaks down the scent.

PERFUME ESSENCES:

• Perfume can include 15%-40% perfume concentrates. This is the purest form & is the most expensive.
• Eau de parfum contains about 7% -15% perfume concentrates. This is the most popular & common form of perfume. It provides a long lasting fragrance and doesn't cost as much.
• Eau de toilette has around 1% -6% perfume concentrates. This makes for a light scent that doesn't linger as long as the more intense versions.
• Cologne has 3%-5% perfume concentrates and lasts up to two hours.

Where to Ukay

1. Baguio – My husband and my friends – Tere, Jeng & Jon are the experts in Baguio Ukay-Ukay. Since 2004, Ukay places are our favorite hang outs in Baguio.

• The cheapest and most exciting is really the one on Hilltop, behind the

Baguio City Market. At 6:00 o'clock in the morning, at 12:00 noon, and finally at 6:00 o'clock in the late afternoon, hawkers will spread out the used clothing and bags by the road. These sell at about Php10.00 - Php50.00 each. A lot of office workers are able to assemble their wardrobes this way.

'Bayanihan' is a pretty old hotel building to the northwest of Burnham Park that has found a new lease on life as the site of the cheapest ukay-ukay stalls. Navigating the maze of stores on different levels isn't easy, but the prices here are much lower than those found on Session Road. Stalls here close at around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.

"Skyworld' used to be one of Baguio's 'pre-earthquake' shopping centers with a prime location at the corner of Session Road and Calderon Street. The shops here sell the best items -- and the sellers know their value -- so if you are looking for premium designer brands, this is the place to go, because they are still cheaper than the 'vintage' offerings on Ebay. Like in Bayanihan, Stalls close by sunset.

Harrison Road and the side streets between it and Session Road have a many small shopping areas selling ukay-ukay, and what's interesting about these shops is that they sell not only apparel but toys, sporting goods, office stuff and novelty items as well.

2. Aurora Blvd. in Cubao, beside St. Joseph Church
3. Edsa, Cubao (beside Air Philippines Ticketing Office)
4. N. Domingo St., San Juan cor M. Paterno
5. Along P. Tuazon going to Ali Mall
6. Rainbow Bazaar – Buendia , this is the ukay of the rich
7. The original ukay place – Bambang, Manila
8. Kabanayan Ukay – opposite Farmer’s Mall (side going to Arayat Market)
9. below freedom Bar in Anonas, Cubao
10. Kamuning Ave., near Kamuning Market
11. IGI’s Pasong Tamo, near Mc Donalds
12. Quiapo, near Mercury Drug

Actually there are many places where to ukay but I haven’t gone yet to to other Ukay places: Libertad, Pasay, Monumento, Alabang….if you have want to add more in our Ukay list, pls. add our existing list.

Home Business Training for Smart Women

Hello smart women! If you want to learn new things, earn extra and maybe these trainings will help us relieve our stress....Pls. see below training courses from Technology Resources Center (TRC).

Training Schedule for the Month of June : (Business & Livelihood Trainings)

• Training: Trendy Balloon Decors: Lecture/Hands-on: material requirement and supplier, cost requirement, balloon twisting and how to make balloons as decorations.
  Date & Time: June 1: 8am -4:30 pm
  Price : 1,815
• Training:Training:Hair Trimming, Perming, Dyeing and Make-up Techniques: Lecture: Structures, divisions, forms, characteristics and styles of hair; purposes of make-up, facial balance and applications. Hands-on: Hair trimming (short, medium and long length), perming, dyeing, make-up (daytime, evening and glamour) Bring model, scissors, cape, towel, hairpins and comb.
  Date & Time: June 1-2: 8am -4:30pm
  Price: 3,399
• Training: Basic Digital Photography Lecture and workshop: fundamentals of digital photography, photo shooting techniques including indoor and outdoor photo activities. Bring digital camera and USB.
  Date & Time: June 2-3: 8:00 am-4:30pm
  Price: 3,399
• Training: How to Make Fashion Accessories Lecture: Methods used, sources of tools and materials, costing. Hands-on: necklace, earring, cellphone charm, bracelet, bag charm and ID holder. Bring long-nose pliers and sharp scissors.
  Date & Time: June 3-4 : 8:00 am-4:30pm
  Price: 3,399
• Training: Operation and Management of an Import-Export Business Lecture: basic of exporting and importing including technologies, procedures and products in big demand locally and abroad, sales and marketing aspects of export-business offer, packaging and alternative profit centers for overruns.
  Date & Time: June 4-5: 8:00 am-4:30pm
  Price: 2,959
• Training: Silkscreen Printing Lecture: computer/digital art preparation, photographic stencil making, finishing - curing and drying, pressing techniques. Hands-on: t-shirt, ceramics, decals, glass and metal printing. Bring #0.5 technical pen, ink and USB.
  Date & Time: June 5-78-4:30
  Price: 3,729
• Training: Accounting and Record Keeping for Small Businesses Lecture: bookkeeping, reporting and analysis of transaction results for small business operators and owners. Bring calculator.
  Date & Time: June 6-78-4:30
  Price: 2,959
• Training: Fresh Flower Arrangement and Flower Shop Operation and Management (with field trip) Lecture: creativity, balance, proportion, texture and color harmony, flower shop operation and organizational management, costing, pricing and sourcing of materials. Demonstrations on standing flower arrangements for inaugural, funeral and other important occasions. Hands-on: traditional round center piece, long and low arrangements, floral bouquet, line, plane and mass arrangements. Bring garden scissors.
  Date & Time: June 6-8: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 3,729
• Training: Setting up a Travel Agency Lecture: role and functions of a travel agent, organizing the business, requirement for travel agency set-up, rules and regulations governing travel agencies, basic travel agency operations and office procedures, professional code of ethics, the travel agency and other providers of travel products - transportation, accommodations, etc.
  Date & Time: June 8: 8am -4:30pm
  Price: 1,375
• Training: Personal Care Products Lecture: material specifications, whitening and anti-ageing product formulation, BFAD regulation, supplier sourcing, costing and pricing. Hands-on: whitening and anti-ageing soap, lotion and cream.
  Date & Time: June 9-108-4:30
  Price: 3,399
• Training: Commercial Breadmaking and Bakery Management Lecture: Functions of ingredients, proportions and product formulations, equipment and material sourcing, costing and pricing, bakery management. Hands-on: pan de sal, monay, ensaymada, raisin bread, buns, bread rolls, loaf bread, and bread with fillings. Bring calculator, apron and canister.
  Date & Time: June 11 & 13-15: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 4,169
• Training: Perfumes and Colognes Lecture: starting a perfume business, formulations, blending of essential oils, types of perfumes and colognes, product requirements, materials specifications, cost and return analysis. Hands-on: oil-based and water-based, cream perfumes for men and ladies, body splash, gel colognes and eau de toilette.
  Date & Time: June 15: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 1,815
• Training: Event Planning, Marketing and Management Lecture: basic knowledge of event planning and management for wedding, parties, local trade exhibits, meetings, consumer events (tiangges), seminars, conventions, conferences conceptualization and topical development, etc. and profitability and traffic for the event; a thorough knowledge of management functions is a requisite for successful events.
  Date & Time: June 16-17: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 2,959
• Training: Coffee Shop Management and Operation (with field trip) Lecture: personnel administration, organization, site selection, marketing, materials and equipment, cost analysis. Hands-on: different coffee concoctions/preparations.
  Date & Time: June 17-199-4:00
  Price: 3,729
• Training: Aromatic and Decorative Candle Making Lecture: types of waxes, formulation, art of blending of essential oils and uses, melting method, proper wick fixing, techniques in forming/moulding candles, design techniques and cost and return analysis. Hands-on: hurricane candle, floating candle, hand-formed candle, and candles in glass containers with application of aromatherapy oil.
  Date & Time: June 18-19:8am-4:30pm
  Price: 3,399
• Training: Laundry Soap and Detergents Lecture: material specifications, product formulations, costing and pricing. Hands-on: Laundry bar soap, liquid and powdered detergents. Bring calculator.
  Date & Time: June 20-21:8am-4:30pm
  Price:3,399
• Training: Operating a Laundry Shop Business (Small-Scale) Lecture: plant layout and design: production flow, job function; customer service and its place in the textile care industry; operating a small laundry washing machine, pressing, laundry washroom chemistry, market strategy including pricing, promotion, site selection. Environmental management concerns.
  Date & Time: June 20-21: 8am-6:00pm
  Price: 3,289
• Training: Chinese Dimsum Lecture: principle of Chinese cooking, utensils and equipment, functions of ingredients, etiquette of Chinese dining, costing. Hands-on: wonton soup, siomai, almond jelly, quekiam, siopao, pork dumplings, crispy spring rolls, seafood chow mein and crispy butterfly prawns. Bring apron and hand towels.
  Date & Time: June 22-23: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 3,399
• Training: Specialty Cakes and Pastries Lecture: material and equipment specifications, functions of ingredients, product formulation, costing and pricing; Hands-on: mousse cake, black forest, crema de fruta, sans rival, apple pie, swiss roll, puff and danish pastry varieties. Bring calculator, apron, hand towels and canisters.
  Date & Time: June 24-25: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 3,399
• Training: Catering Business Operation Lecture: table setting, equipment, menu planning and preparation, costing and pricing. Hands-on: table skirting and napkin folding techniques. Bring calculator.
  Date & Time: June 30-July 1: 8am-4:30pm
  Price: 2,959
• Training: Commercial Breadmaking and Bakery Management Lecture: Functions of ingredients, proportions and product formulations, equipment and material sourcing, costing and pricing, bakery management. Hands-on: pan de sal, monay, ensaymada, raisin bread, buns, bread rolls, loaf bread, and bread with fillings. Bring calculator, apron and canister.
  Date & Time: June 29-July 2: 8am -4:30pm
  Price: 4,169

TRAINING VENUE: TRC Building, 103 J. Abad Santos cor. Lopez Jaena Sts., Little Baguio, San Juan, City. TRC also offers group and corporate trainings with discounted rate.Please inquire at 727-6205 loc. 208, 209 / 0928-5022684

8 Reasons Why Women Should Start Taking Control of Their Financial Future

Why then women should start taking control of their financial future?

• First, we can no longer depend on our parents, our man, our boss and our government. They simply may not be there at all times. I often heard women unhappy with their relationships because of money. I have often heard people complain about their salary but still continue working for their jobs. I have seen in news about women trading-off themselves marrying a rich guy but ended up losing themselves along the way. Women must start to realize that they should never be dependent on anyone to take care of their financial future (Kiosaki K., Rich Woman, 2009). Statistics shows that approximately 7 out of 10 women, at some time, will live in poverty.The sooner women realize that they ought to be in business; the earlier they will be financially independent.
• Second, women are more cooperative rather than competitive. This style is now often taught in business schools. Women tend to create out of the box methods to further their goal and face obstacles they face. They tend to listen more. In business, this style creates a win-win business environment.
  
• Third, women are not afraid to say "I don't Know" (RichWoman, 2006).According to T. Harv Eker, a self-made millionaire, there are only three (3) things that we should never think of when going into business and that is to say, "I know, I know, I know". Saying "I don't know" is the most powerful tool women could have. Pretending to know all the answers because you don't want to look stupid comes from having a low self-esteem and low confidence. You will be amazed that when you say "I don't know", many things open up for you.
  
• Fourth, women do their homework. I often hear during college days that if you are a guy and you want to graduate on time or as soon as possible, "you'd have to find a girlfriend, this way you will have someone do your homework for you." Although girls here tend to look like as if they are their boyfriends' slave, women as a general rule really do their homework. In business, women tend to do research more and they spend researching about their investment choices than most men do. When looking for the best investment, women tend to weigh options before going into the "hot tips".
  
• Fifth, women are nurturers. In business, this natural character creates long-lasting relationships with clients, employees and other business networks. Even when it comes to investing, women "nurture their investments" more than men.
  
• Sixth, women possess high emotional intelligence (Mika Hamilton,Global Investment Institutes). The one thing that men have in common is EGO. Men tend to let their egos make decisions for them. Women will tend to invest according to a plan and not according to the mood they are in or to what will make them look good.
  
• Seventh, women ask questions. How many times have you experienced that when asking for directions, men don't want to ask? Even with couples being lost along the way, it's the woman who ends up asking directions. The good thing about this, when it comes to any kind of business, women will often seek advice from people who have been there and done that and when it comes to investing women will often ask questions rather then figuring things out on their own.
  
• Eight, we are definitely great shoppers. We know how to spot a bargain. Why does this matter? When it comes to investing, it's like spotting the best deal, priced below its actual value and there is no other way but to buy it.
  I'm not saying that women are greater than men; each individual has their own talents and skills that are of advantage in business. What I am saying here is that there are definitely a lot of advantages for women to start going into business and to start taking control of their financial future. In business, time is of essence, the earlier you start, the higher chances of succeeding. Robert Kiosaki said that if you start later in life or go into business after youre tire; there are already lots of important things you have to consider like your health and the emotional toughness to handle disappointments along the way (Retire Young Retire Rich, 2002).
  There are definitely a lot of opportunities and possibilities out there waiting to be discovered. The best way is to go out and personally be in the game. Just mere thinking of going into business, reading books, listening to audios (though educational),is still passive learning, to quote what Benjamin Franklin said, "the credit goes to the one who is in the arena". Look for a businesswoman who can help you and mentor you. There are many successful businesswomen out there who will not hesitate to tell you their story and give you a piece of advice. Simply having a conversation with them is already learning actively. Don't ask women who never had any experience at all of going in business. It's funny because most of the time, those who have a lot to say are those whonever been there and done that. You will find out that businesspeople no matter what their gender is, have one thing in common; they take risks and their dreams are bigger than their circumstances. You have to realize that to be successful in life you have to be "in the zone" and do what Nike says, "Just do it" and you will be amazed by your own skills and strengths.
  Just trying to do something-just being there, showing up- is how we get braver. Self-esteem is about doing."

-Joy Browne
Islempress 09/18/2006

Manners for Moving Up Part 3

Table Matters

A Table setting includes plates, glasses, spoons, forks, knives & napkins. Do not be intimidated by all that display of china silver & crystal. Keep in mind that your host or the caterer has arranged the tableware according to the food that will be served. As each course arrives on the table, use utensils in order of their position - start with the utmost ones, from left and right side, moving on toward the plate.

No matter how complicated the setting may appear at first glance, know that there won't be more than 4 pieces of any group at any one time - besides which, as the dinner / lunch progresses, the waiter will be taking away used utensils, course after course.

On the right , knives are placed with the blade facing the plate. The dessert fork on the top of the plate, has its handle pointing right because the spoon is held with the right hand. Napkin is found on the left o r at the center of the big plate.

Glasses on the right. Knives & spoon on the right. Forks on the left. Dessert fork & spoon above dinner plate. Use outermost utensils first, going in toward plate.

Some DO's and DON'Ts

If you don't know what you are eating. DON'T BE TOO SHY TO ASK. You are not expected to know everything.

If you don't like what you are eating, don't be shy to spit it out but do it inconspicuously.

Do not eat from your neighbor's plate. If you want to try his food, ask for a small piece and put it in your plate or a spare one.

Some food items are eaten with your fingers, for which you will be given a finger bowl: crabs, steamed shrimps with shell, oysters, mussels, frog's legs, quail, pigeon, spareribs, fried chicken.

Dip your fingertips in the finger bowls, but is still best to simply excuse yourself and wash your hands in the washroom.

Do not burp! if you just did, say "Excuse me.'

Do not fart! Excuse yourself from the table and do it elsewhere.

Excuse yourself if you have to leave the table.

Although it is permissible these days to use a toothpick, cover your mouth with your hand when you do. Never pick your teeth with your fingers in public. Go to the restroom and do this privately. Do not floss in public.