INSPIRED - Blog

INSPIRED - Blog

Create Your Vision
2008-08-15

Most experts agree that setting a vision for your life in Beijing will significantly help you transition.

A vision gives you a framework, purpose and direction. It encourages and empowers you to move past the obstacles in your way, because you can see the big picture.

So, how do you define your vision? Here are some fun ways of getting closer to it:

>...more

So you never say again "I hate China"
2008-08-01

Have you ever wondered why some of your friends say "I have a great time in Beijing." and others say "I hate China!" ?

Of course, we all have different personalities, but I am convinced that it is the magical combination of some successful ingredients that are going to make the difference.

1. Language training
I know you have all heard it before: "Learn the...more

Inspirational quotes from Bali
2008-07-15

I have just spent a fantastic time in Bali with my husband’s family and even managed to read a few books.

Which is pretty amazing as our hotel did not have a kiddies club for children under 5. But thanks to loving and dedicated grandparents, I managed to appreciate those very special books:
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - if you are looking...more

Expatriates and Spouses Needed for Research Study
2008-06-15

Dr. Nina Cole, a management researcher from Ryerson University in Toronto Canada, is currently conducting research intended to better inform HR managers regarding the needs of expatriates and their families.

Your input is essential to the success of this research and you are invited to complete a research questionnaire at www.ninacole.net (click on Questionnaires).

There are three questionnaires for expat...more

How to update your CV if you are leaving Beijing
2008-06-01

You might be in the situation where you will soon be returning "home" and need to update your CV.

Scared of how to integrate your Beijing experience in a formal CV?

Focus on your accomplishments in Beijing.
Take into account paid and unpaid activities
Consider work at home and work for your community.

In a previous posting, I explained the concept of Career...more

3 Steps to Build a Portable Career
2008-05-19

As Jo Parfitt - Portable Career guru - puts it so nicely together, a Portable Career is a "Portfolio of personal successes, professional achievements and life skills".
Forget about linear career paths and rather think of transferable skills and career porfolios.

Jo Parfitt suggests 3 simple steps to effectively build a portable career:

1. Look inside yourself
2. Look outside yourself
3. Make it happen

1. Look inside yourself

Discover what you...more

Tips from successful women entrepreneurs in Beijing
2008-05-01

INSPIRED organised a few weeks ago its first panel event dedicated to Women Entrepreneurship. Four successful women shared their trials and tribulations, disappointments and triumphs of business based in Beijing.

For those who missed this event, I wanted to share some of the important points they raised. You might find them particularly useful if you are thinking of starting your own business.

Challenges...more

Small support groups: an example
2008-04-07

I belong to Mumtrepreneurs, a small group of mothers who are running our own businesses or projects in Beijing. We meet once a month and we are committed to furthering each others' professional aims; brainstorming ideas, holding each other accountable for our goals and providing support as we seek to balance professional growth with the demands and delights of family life.

If you are interested...more

Small Business Ideas in Beijing
2008-03-20

When I conducted a survey in June 2006 among expat spouses in Beijing, I realised with amazement that 67% of the respondents were interested in starting their own business.
You can call it being self-employed, being an independent contractor, or freelancing.

I would therefore like to share with you a few business ideas that – in my opinion - could work quite well in...more

An option not to be underestimated: Volunteering
2008-03-09

As we know, volunteering is usually very rewarding as it enables us to be involved in associations / NGOs / charities and participate in some positive activities.

Volunteering should also be an option to consider if one cannot find employment in a foreign country. It is an effective way to maintain a professional identity and maintain and even gain some new skills.

I was forwarded the...more

The power of informational interviewing
2008-02-25

I first heard about the term "informational interviewing" when Sarah Cooper, Professional and Life Coach, used it a few months ago at one previous INSPIRED workshop.

I seriously wonder how I had managed all this time in my life without "informational interviewing"!
Looking for a rewarding volunteering opportunity? Thinking of starting your own business? Interested in studying but not quite sure about what program to...more

The importance of socializing and networking in Beijing
2008-02-09

Do you network in Beijing? And if yes, why do you network?

I spent the first 8 months of my time in Beijing ignoring most of the social and networking opportunities that exist in this big city. And to be honest with you, it did not seem to matter so much: I was doing just fine.
BUT recently I met new friends, business partners, inspiring models...more

Using the Beijing experience as a Career Enhancer
2008-01-26

As some of you might know, I am an expat spouse who reinvented myself after moving to Beijing with my husband and my two children.
I used to be working as a chartered management accountant and I am now involved in a venture that requires a range of very different skills: entrepreneurial skills, sales and marketing skills, event management skills.
Assuming that we will ever leave...more

Thoughts from South Africa
2008-01-06

First of all, Happy New Year to all of you, INSPIRED friends, members, guests, partners and sponsors!!
I wish you all a Fulfilling 2008 Year, personally and professionally.

I have had during my holiday in sunny South Africa lots of time to read articles and books related to international assignements, expat spouses, career moves and personal development .. all of those being currently my favorite...more

New Year Resolutions, and Tips & Advice from some experts in Beijing.
2007-12-04

Susan Grant – President of the International Newcomers Network (INN) – www.innbeijing.org
Sue, as the President of INN, you meet everyday families who have relocated to Beijing and particularly the mothers of those families. What would be your Top 5 Tips for expat mums of families who have just moved to Beijing?
1. Initially join in as many organisations as you can...more

As rated by That's Beijing: INSPIRED is an "Inspired Idea"
2007-10-01

This is a Community note that was published in the October 2007 That's Beijing magazine:

For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, at home or halfway across the world ... That’s all fine and good, but the expat accompanying spouse can get the bad end of the bargain. Too often, accompanying spouses find that their options in Beijing are limited – if they’re...more

INSPIRED is being launched in Beijing!
2007-09-15

How exciting and scary! I have now launched INSPIRED and can’t believe the project has come to fruition. If you want to hear more about why I started INSPIRED, I invite you to continue reading.

One evening in April 2006, my husband suddenly asked me, “Do you feel like moving from Zurich to Beijing, China? I got offered a job there.”

My...more