Weekly News Roundup

Weekly News Roundup

Weekly News RoundupWelcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!

  • Wondering which career is the best fit for you? These 30 personality assessments with help you find the career you want;
  • Get inspired by tech teen author Sasha Alston who globally inspires girls to code;
  • Recruiter shares tips to turn your internship into a job;
  • Ellevate Network lists 3o companies ranked as top places for women to work in 2017;
  • Want to build a side hustle? Entrepreneur lists 5 challenges you’ll most likely face;
  • Business Insider lists 15 of the highest-rated places to work;
  • Ellevate Network shares 10 lessons to learn when jumping from full-time work to entrepreneurship;
  • The current political and racial news is a distraction for many of us. Black Enterprise advises on how to stay focused;
  • The Undercover Recruiter lists the brands that have helped champion diversity;
  • Corporette tips you off on how to get sponsors at work;
  • Love office supplies? These 28 best online supply stores will make your day!

 

As a bonus here’s a video recap of the best advice shared at the recent BlackGirlsRock 2017:

 

Cheers to the weekend!

 

The Corporate Sis

28 Best Sites for Office Supplies

28 Best Sites for Office Supplies

28 Best Sites for Office SuppliesI’ve always been addicted to office supplies. I remember as a kid looking forward to back-to-school trips at our local office supply stores with such anticipation and excitement. As a working woman and mom, I still look forward to the back-to-school, and other occasional online and offline trips to satisfy my office supply addiction.

28 Best Sites for Office Supplies

  1. Office Depot

One of the most well-known office suppliers is Office Depot. It now offers all of its products online and available through various shipping options.

 

  1. Staples

Another well-known office supply store is Staples. Its online store offers a variety of products available worldwide.

 

  1. Best Buy

Best Buy is well-known for its electronic supplies, and also offers a large range of office supplies through their website.

 

  1. Walmart

As one of the biggest retailers worldwide, Walmart has a significant inventory of office supplies. You can find every office supply you need there.

 

  1. TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx also offers many different types of products, its selection of office supplies and stationery is practical, affordable and absolutey adorable.

 

  1. Concord Supplies

Concord Supplies distributes toners and printing ink, as well as office supplies as well as furniture.

 

  1. Moo

Moo is mostly known for its business cards. However, it also offers great office accessories such as notebooks and card holders.

 

  1. Shoplet

Shoplet has very unique offering for offices and schools, including ink and toner, and technology products.

 

  1. Poppin

If you love modern office supplies with a unique twist, Poppin is the store for you! I love their original one-of-a-kind designs.

 

  1. OliviaSophiaInc

If you’re into fashionable and girly office supplies, you must shop at Olivia Sophia Inc. From original planners and inspirational cups, they’ve got it all..

 

  1. Effie’s Paper

Original, bold office supplies that will make you take another look, is what you’ll find at Effie’s Paper. This black-woman owned business is a pleasure to shop in!

 

  1. Innovative Supplies

Ranked #1 for online school supplies, Innovative Supplies offers cutting-edge and inspiring supplies. The best part? It makes a positive impact to the community by hiring high school students.

 

  1. See Jane Work

Clean, streamlined and professional: that’s how I would describe SeeJaneWork. I love the clean options available, as well as the reasonable prices.

 

  1. Knock Knock

This online office supply store is filled with fun office products that will have you smiling all day! The colorful options are great for any office!

 

  1. Mochi things

Mochi things has the cutest and most practical office supplies. From fun backpacks to original binders, the options are endless!

 

  1. Tokyo Pen Shop

If you’re addicted to pens like I am, you will love Tokyo Pen Shop. They offer precise pens and pencils in a variety of colors and options. Your desk will never be the same!

 

  1. Twistop

Twistop is a source of office products for all kinds of offices. Their offerings span from ink, paper, office supplies, to furniture and even custom stamps.

  1. Ban.do

This is the ultimate fun yet practical destination for office supplies. I love the versatility of the product options and their quirky originiality.

 

  1. Oh hello friend

Looking for a positive and inspiring stationery and office supply online store? Oh Hello Friend is your destination of choice!

 

  1. Paperchase

Ranked as UK’s #1 spot for innovative and exciting stationery, Paperchase offers a rare selection of stylish office supplies. The unique designs are as attractive as they are practical.

 

  1. Night owl paper goods

Night owl paper goods has a modern yet folksy approach to office supplies. If you’re looking for different office supplies, this is it!

 

  1. Glam and Paper

As its name indicates, Glam and Paper is all about office supplies with glam! From distinctive notebooks to fun and girly accessories, there is great choice for everyone!

 

  1. Papersource

Papersource is filled with inspiring and uplifting quality office supplies. I’m a huge fan of their desk signs!

 

 

  1. Supply Geeks

Geek alert! SupplyGeeks is all about providing geeks (and anyone else) with practical, efficient and affordable office supplies.

 

  1. Rifle Paper

Rifle Paper offers collections of eclectic office supplies and other accessories perfect for the modern woman. The unique designs are practical enough to sport every day.

 

 

  1. Quill

Quill provides a large variety of office supplies for all offices and businesses. The options are literally endless!

 

  1. Green Office

Looking to protect the Earth? Green Office helps you do just that, with eco-friendly office supplies. Buy, use and recycle!

 

  1. Mead

Mead is one of the favorite destinations of parents and teachers for office supplies. However, they also offer many options for office supplies.

 

What would you add to this list?

 

To Your Success,

The Corporate Sis.

5 Money Saving Tricks for College Students

5 Money Saving Tricks for College StudentsThis article was written by a college student contributor to TCS. 

The concept of going off to college and living in complete freedom is the most exciting step of adulthood. However, with newfound freedom comes expenses—a lot of expenses. I’ve always been very frugal with my money. Every expense should be justified and only completely necessary.

I wasn’t necessarily raised this way, but I became extremely cautious with my money once I started working and had to pay for most of my expenses. Now, I spend my money on rent, gas, and food Although I could ask my parents when I need to, I make every effort not to.

As a frugal college student, here are some ways I recommend to try and cut unnecessary expenses and save money in college:

5 Money Saving Tricks for College Students

 

  1. Always use coupons!

Whether it is going to a movie or eating out, I always try to find online coupons that can reduce the cost of my purchases. Some of these sites include Groupon, StudentRate.com, or MySavings.com.

 

  1. Eat for free on campus!

On campus, there are so many opportunities for free food, and most of the time, I don’t hesitate to take advantage of them. Doing so reduces my need to go out and buy food since I have no meal plan. I also learned how to cook, and I’m not living on Ramen noodles every day. I actually make decent omelets in the mornings (if I wake up early enough). Apps like Epicurious can also help you plan your meals better.

 

  1. Use discount sites!

I also live in a house off campus which requires furniture, so I go on Craigslist or various garage sales nearby to buy used but in good quality furniture. Other discount sites for college students include TUN, UConnection,   Also, I’m aware of a lot of places which offer student discounts, especially around my area. Most of the restaurants, fast food, and clothing boutiques give student discounts. A great site to consult for locations around your campus which might offer student discounts is AroundCampus.com. Keep in mind to ask around and always check if any student discounts are available before making any purchase.

 

  1. Do things on your own!

The best way to save money is doing things on your own. I used to get my nails done often, but I learned to just do them on my own. I end up saving $30 a month this way. I also wash my own car instead of taking it to a car wash.

  1. Find cheaper textbooks!

Purchasing college textbooks is the worst. The best way to go about is going to the online websites finding cheaper versions of the textbooks or finding the free pdf file. This way you are getting the information and still spending as less as possible. Also, ask about and use college  Facebook groups to inquire about cheaper options or students who may be selling theirs at lower costs.  Sites like CampusBooks.com or Chegg can help you shop for cheaper books,

 

All in all, college can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience—but you don’t have to spend so much money. Being cautious of your money and spending it in the right places can relieve you from a lot of stress, and it’ll be the best four years of your life.

 

How do you save money in college?

 

To Your Success,

The Corporate Sis.

30 Best Personality Assessments To Help You Find the Career You Want

30 Best Personality Assessments To Help You Find the Career You Want

30 best personality assessments to find the career you wantThis post may contain affiliate links. 

How many times have you wondered about finding the career you want? Or asked yourself if the career you’re in is a good fit for your personality? There are actually effective personal assessment tools out there to help match you with the career of your dreams.

Understanding your personality, strengths, interests, and values, is critical when picking or transitioning careers. It doesn’t require you to go on some soul-searching journey into the depths of your being. Actually, it can be as simple as using career assessment tools to find out what your best career matches are. Some of these tools are administered by professionals; however, they can be taken alone to get a sense of what your ideal career is.

Here are 30 career assessment tools that will come in handy when you or anyone around you asks the question: “How do I figure out the career I really want?

30 best personality assessments to find the career you want

 

  1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

One of the most popular and well-known career assessment tools out there is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). This assessment describes 16 different personality traits, and identifies basic personality differences. That’s how I found out I was an introvert after many years of questioning my social skills at work.

 

  1. My Plan

This Values Assessment will help you learn more about what your real motivations are in your career. It will measure and rank various components of work, to help you understand which jobs or industries fit your style.

 

  1. Keirsey Temperament Sorter

This personality assessment test measures people according to their temperament: “artisan, rational, idealist, and guardian.” If you’re ready to go through the 71 questions (yes, it’s pretty long), you’ll get more insight into how you really communicate and what your actions tend to be.

 

  1. 16Personalities

This free personality test is inspired by the Myers-Briggs test. It will help you gain insight into your type of personality as related to your ability to form and maintain relationships. The good part? It should only take about 12 minutes to take.

 

  1. BigFive

As its name indicates, this assessment tool divides people into five categories: openness, extraversion, agreeability, neuroticism, and openness. It helps you pinpoint your learning style, work preferences, and includes a few hilarious questions too.

 

  1. iSeek Clusters

With this tool, you’ll be able to rank school subjects and activities you enjoy, as well as qualities you have. Your interests are then matched to a certain career cluster to reveal what type of work is the best fit for you.

 

  1. MyNextMove

This assessment test is sponsored by the U.S Department of Labor, and will help you pinpoint your work interests. The drawback? It has a total of 60 questions, so get ready!

 

  1. MAPP Test

This career assessment is perfect if you hate your job, or are just out of school or college. While it has a free component, the paid “starter package” costs $90 to get a list of your top 20 career matches. If you want the whole enchilada, you may have to fork over $149.95 for the “executive package”, which includes a full 30-page assessment and over 900 career matches. The free test matches you to five potential careers, which is not a bad start.

 

 

  1. Holland Code

This personality assessment pinpoints the area you’re the most interested in career-wise, and translates it into suitable career interests.  This is also one of the longer ones, with a total of 87 questions!

 

  1. Predictive Index (PI) Behavioral Assessment

This test identifies your most prevalent workplace behaviors, in order to highlight your management style. It’s also based on your primary personality traits.

 

  1. The Good&Co App

This unique app’s purpose takes you through a series of quizzes to help you uncover your personality traits and match you to your ideal career. It also helps you learn to work better with others.

 

  1. The Enneagram Test

This powerful test is meant to help you discover your own Enneagram type to understand your personality and the ways in which you operate. There are nine different Enneagram types, and your test results place you in one definite category.

 

  1. DISC Personality Testing

This personality assessment, based on the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance factors (DISC), is geared at providing insight into your communication style as well as ways to build stronger relationships with co-workers. It’s relatively quick and is composed of only 12 questions.

 

 

  1. Self-Directed Search

The Self-Directed Search categorizes people and jobs into 6 categories: realistic, investigative, social, artistic, conventional, or enterprising. It will help you narrow down the 3 types that best fit you and a list of matching careers. It costs $9.95.

 

  1. Values in Action (VIA)

This survey helps you uncover your best qualities in about 15 minutes. It’s based on a scientific assessment of character strengths to help you understand your core traits. Unlike many tests focusing on your shortcomings, the VIA survey focuses on your best qualities.

 

  1. Pymetrics

Based on a series of mind games, this career assessment tool measures your social and cognitive traits. You’ll end up with a list of your strengths and weaknesses, which can guide you towards your ideal careers.

 

  1. Career Stengths Test

This tool is a series of activities developed by the Johnson O’Connor Foundation for Oprah. It tests different skills and your strengths in it. The result is a list of jobs and careers which might fit you best based on your performance.

 

  1. StrengthsQuest

If you’re a college student, this personal assessment test is for you. It will give you an idea of what you’re already good at, and will point you to talent themes to achieve your goals. It costs $9.99.

 

 

  1. Buzzfeed Quizz

This free Buzzfeed career quiz is not as comprehensive as the other tools in this list. Yet, it’s a quick way to gain some insight into your career match in between tasks during the day.

 

  1. Insights Discovery

This personal assessment tool helps you uncover your strengths and weaknesses, how you communicate and how much value you add to any team. It’s based on a fun color game system to highlight your personality and style of interaction with others.

 

  1. Social Styles

Dubbed as the world’s “leading behavioral style model”, this personality assessment tool’s goal is to help build more effective relationships. It has been used by thousands of organizations to improve leadership performance.

 

  1. 5 Love Languages

This romantically sounding tool will help you discover your own love language, so you can improve your relationships. 15 million people have already used this tool to connect better with others.

 

  1. Career Hunter

CareerHunter helps you explore your abilities and interests through 6 self-assesment tools. At the end of this very comprehensive process, you get a full career report suggesting your best career matches. It costs $9.99.

 

  1. Sokanu Career Test

The Sokanu Career test is a free platform that takes you through some great career tests to help you discover how compatible you are with over 800 careers. It looks at five dimensions, including your workplace, personality, interests, history and career goals, to compare your test results with certain career paths’ characteristics.

 

  1. Career Fitter

This personal assessment tool highlights your work personality and ideal work environment. It guides you towards your perfect career. It also provides career research tips, as well as advice to get into the fields you’re most compatible with. Note there’s a free version as well as a paid one (the paid version is $11.99).

 

  1. Psychology Today

Renowned Psychology Today has come up with its own career assessment tool. The test contains a total of 240 questions, and matches you with one career field at the end of it. However, you can purchase the full report with more career matches.

 

  1. Career Planner

You can find your unique career code with this career assessment tool. It’s composed of 180 true or false questions, and promises to provide you with a list of careers compatible with your interests. It’s priced at $49.95.

 

  1. The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review came up with a 24-question career quiz, requiring you to pick the best answer to pinpoint your career wants. It’s relatively easy yet very revealing.

 

  1. Rasmussen College

This career assessment tool takes a look at your skills and interests to help you narrow down your ideal career. It uses seven measures of ability including science, mechanical, mathematics, managerial, communication, interpersonal and artistic.

 

  1. 123 DISC Personality Test

This personality assessment calculates your personal DISC profile, based on the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance factors (DISC). It helps you build your own personality profile quickly, while analyzing your typical behavior.

 

What other career assessment tools would you recommend?

To Your Success,

The Corporate Sis

 

3 Easy Ways to Take Your Business International Today

3 Easy Ways to Take Your Business International Today

3 Easy Ways to Take Your Business International

3 Easy Ways to Take Your Business International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to take your business international? Operating an international business may seem daunting. Yet, if you are already operating a successful domestic company, you are in a good position to launch internationally.

According to the Small Business Administration, two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is in foreign countries. Here are three relatively easy ways to increase your business’s presence and profits by entering the international market.

 

3 Easy Ways to Take Your Business International

3 Easy Ways to Take Your Business International

  1. Use an online marketplace

One fairly easy way to connect to foreign consumers is through online marketplaces like Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce platform. Alibaba provides small businesses with access to international markets through internet technology and infrastructure. U.S.-based online marketplaces that can provide businesses with international market access include Amazon, eBay, and even Craigslist. Foreign and domestic platforms have pros and cons associated with them. For example, some producers and buyers have had issues with counterfeit goods sold via online marketplaces. You should determine the best platform for your business by considering factors like the platform’s reputation, performance, and cost in the same way that you would select any other service provider or business affiliate.

  1. Work with a foreign distributor

Similar to online marketplaces, foreign distributors are intermediaries that introduce your business to foreign customers. A foreign distributor relationship can be even more advantageous than an online marketplace presence because the foreign distributor can also market and service your product. Think of the distributor as your company’s local representative. You can use a local branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce  to help identify reputable distributors where you want to do business. Once your business has found a distributor, work with an attorney to negotiate an effective distribution agreement that at least addresses pricing, sales regions, quotas, and intellectual property rights.

  1. Enter into a partnership

Last but certainly not least, a partnership may be the best way for your business to grow internationally. Many multinational corporations use partnerships to enter foreign markets. Not to worry, your business does not have to be a Fortune 50 to set up a foreign partnership. Partnerships can take different forms ranging from collaboration agreements to joint ventures. All you need to do is research the target foreign market, identify a suitable business partner in that market, and then agree on the terms of the partnership arrangement. International partnerships are well suited for businesses that need to leverage supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, a partnership may be one of the only ways to penetrate a market that is closed to foreign businesses.

The above-mentioned points are just a few ways to grow your business internationally. Other means of growing internationally can be as simple as selling directly to foreign consumers or as complex as building a foreign division. Small and medium size companies should and can compete internationally if they want. There are government resources that provide helpful information on how to successfully enter the international market and skilled professionals who can facilitate international business transactions.

 

Dorcia CarilloDorcia Carrillo manages a business and corporate law firm, the Law Office of Dorcia Carrillo PLLC, where she guides clients from entrepreneurs to executives through the intersection between business deals and legal documentation. Dorcia likes helping growing businesses with practical legal advice and workable solutions. She is a New York Giants fan and ardent supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association.