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Co-Host

The Atlas Network

The Atlas Network is privately held corporation with Import/Export, Mass Production, Consulting and Investment focused offerings. 

With global reach & industry expertise, The Atlas Network provides full service business solutions across multiple industries.

By using value creation and risk-based strategies, The Atlas Network facilitates innovation while also protecting businesses from their greatest enemy...Themselves.

As a global resource with dedicated quality services, we look forward to helping you achieve all of your goals.

President

My Global Crosswalk

Kerim comes from a financial regulatory background, working at FINRA implementing and managing their Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) program. His entrepreneurial spirit drew him to pursue his business, founding The Atlas Network in 2005. Kerim has 2 decades of  a successful track record running The Atlas Network, a mass production service partner focused on high regulation and 3rd party attestation. The company has done over $40M in revenues in this space in the last 5 years.

I’m a global entrepreneur who has spearheaded numerous ventures. I serve as President/CEO of The Atlas Network, LLC, a global supply chain enterprise offering comprehensive end-to-end services, including Consulting, Product Development, Factory Selection, Mass Production Oversight/Management, Quality Control, Documentation, Logistics, Shipping, and Storage.

I’m the Founder and CEO of The Global Crosswalk, LLC, a SaaS solutions platform that streamlines project lifecycles for the supply chain industry. I’m also the founder and co-host of the “Supply & Demand Show,” on YouTube.

I make deals across diverse sectors - Technology, Retail, Entertainment, Real Estate, Spirits, Packaging, Sports Equipment, Medical, Import/Export, and Banking. I’ve held notable positions at NASD/FINRA (National Association of Securities Dealers), Accenture, SEC, Friedman Billings Ramsey, and 24/7 Media.

I hold a BA in Finance, International Business, and Marketing from Washington University, an MBA in Business Law and Finance from American University, and an Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy certification from MIT.  I’m a continuous learner pursuing equilibrium in thought, culture, business practices, and amongst people.

6 powerful visuals to shift your mindset today….

With simple insights to strengthen your focus:

1. Focus on quality over quantity

↳ Quality is more important.
↳ It builds trust and stands the test of time.

2. Focus on progress over perfection

↳ Consistent progress is better than perfection.
↳ Progress builds momentum and motivates next steps.

3. Focus on growth over comfort.

↳ Personal growth happens outside of comfort zones.
↳ Encountering challenges pushes you to innovate, learn and gain new experiences.

4. Focus on collaboration vs. working silos.

↳ Collaborating with others leads to more innovation and impact.
↳ Increases efficiency through division of work and cultivates shared accountability.

5. Focus on long term vision vs. short term gains.

↳ Achieve better alignment with values and mission.
↳ Focusing on the long-term ensures thoughtful decision-making.

6. Focus on health over hustle.

↳ Continuous hustle leads to stress and burnout.
↳ Prioritize well-being to increase focus, productivity and enjoy life.

Which captured your attention the longest?

➡️Share in the comments- let's talk about it!

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Kerim Kfuri

6 Mindset shifting visuals

What are you doing today to create a thriving work environment?

If you don't know, then this is a MUST READ for you.

Now more than ever, people are striving for balanced lives and prioritizing well-being.

Employers who understand this and take action to provide a well-rounded employee experience have a competitive advantage.

Are you seeing an uptick in employee exits?

Then, understanding WHY top employees leave can help you turn the tides:

1. Burnout

↳Action: Monitor workloads and ensure employee wellbeing.
↳Benefit: Reducing burnout and supporting work-life balance keeps employees productive and healthy.

2. Lack of Advancement

↳Action: Offer clear career paths and growth opportunities.
↳Benefit: Advancement opportunities keep employees motivated and loyal.

3. Low Pay

↳Action: Ensure competitive salaries and regular reviews.
↳Benefit: Fair pay helps retain skilled employees.

4. Poor Benefits

↳Action: Provide comprehensive benefits packages.
↳Benefit: Good benefits attract and retain top talent.

5. Lack of Engagement

↳Action: Build an inclusive and purposeful work environment.
↳Benefit: Engaged employees are more committed and productive.

6. Toxic Culture

↳Action: Commit to creating a positive and respectful workplace culture.
↳Benefit: A healthy culture supports employee well-being and retention.

7. Poor Management

↳Action: Train managers to be effective and supportive leaders.
↳Benefit: Good management improves job satisfaction and reduces turnover.

Address these issues to attract talent and retain your best employees.

Have you ever left a job for one of these reasons?

Let's talk in the comments.

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A positive mindset ≠ perpetual optimism.

Nor does it mean:

-Challenges are minimized
-Everything is rosy all the time
-Expressing emotions is discouraged

What it means:

1. Seeing the Value in Every Situation

Action: Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.
Benefit: This helps you learn from every experience, turning setbacks into lessons.

2. Acknowledging Feelings

Action: Allow yourself and others to feel and express emotions honestly.
Benefit: Acknowledging emotions helps with processing them to move forward constructively.

3. Optimizing for Best Outcomes

Action: Focus on solutions and actions that lead to the best possible results.
Benefit: This mindset encourages proactive problem-solving and resilience.

Integrate these principles into your daily life to build a genuinely positive mindset.

You'll find yourself more resilient, adaptable, and prepared to face any challenge.

How will you start optimizing your mindset today?

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High pressure situations reveal so much about who we are and the environment we work in.

They shine a spotlight on:

-Mindset: How do you and your team approach challenges? Do you see obstacles as opportunities or roadblocks?

-True Character: Under pressure, our authentic selves emerge. Are we resilient, resourceful, and steadfast?

-Company Culture: Does your company have a supportive and collaborative environment that helps everyone thrive, even when the stakes are high?

-Leadership Capabilities: True leaders stand out in tough times, guiding their teams with clarity, empathy, and strength.

So, the big question is: Does your team thrive under pressure?

In moments of high stress, it's crucial to reflect on these aspects and strive to build a mindset, culture, and leadership style that not only withstands pressure but excels in it.

How does your team handle high pressure situations? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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Spitting out harmful phrases knocks the wind out of motivation...

Which leads to productivity loss, low morale and turnover.

With these stakes, you can't afford to use demoralizing language when speaking to your team.

Here are 9 phrases to eliminate and what to say instead:

⚠️That idea will never work.
✅Let's brainstorm several solutions together.

⚠️I'm disappointed in you.
✅We can learn together from this experience.

⚠️This is a waste of my time.
✅This seems important to you. Can we schedule time to discuss further?

⚠️I don't care how late you have to work- get it done.
✅Team, let's discuss current priorities together and determine our plan, timeline and resources.

⚠️Why did you do that?!
✅Walk me through your approach on this.

⚠️I told you that would happen.
✅What steps can we take to resolve this?

⚠️You should've known better. 
✅Let's review this together and add safeguards to our process.

⚠️Don't question it. We've always done it this way.
✅Your contributions help us continuously improve.

⚠️You don't need to know why. Just do what I tell you.
✅Here's the bigger picture so you can understand your impact.

The best leaders leverage communication to build up their teams, not tear them down.

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AI is a tool designed to enhance our capabilities, not replace them.

I'm sharing my top tips for effectively striking the right balance when using AI in your business.

1. Decision Support: 

✅ Use AI to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and provide insights to help us make informed decisions.

🚫 Don't let AI make the decision. The final judgement still lies with you.

2. Customer Experience:

✅ AI can help tailor experiences to individual customer needs.

🚫 Don't rest on AI interactions. Human touch is what builds relationships.

3. Innovation:

✅ AI can identify trends and patterns that might not be immediately obvious, sparking new ideas and innovation.

🚫 Don't over-rely on AI for innovation. It’s our own creativity that turns these insights into actionable strategies.

4. Automation:

✅ By taking over mundane tasks, AI frees up our time to focus on more strategic and creative work.

🚫 Don't just "set it and forget it." Over-reliance on automation can lead to a loss of critical skills and reduce our ability to think independently when the technology fails or isn’t applicable.

Bottom line: embrace AI as a powerful tool to enhance abilities and support goals. 

But let's also remember that our unique human skills, creativity, and intuition are irreplaceable.

Any tips you'd add to this list? I'd love to hear them. Let's have a conversation in the comments.

P.S. If you liked this post, don't forget to follow me. I post daily on timely topics.

Here's why chasing dollars won't lead to success...

(and what truly matters)

It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of money. 

But focusing solely on the dollar can lead to missed opportunities and long-term dissatisfaction.

Here’s why chasing the dollar is a losing strategy:

1. Lack of Fulfillment

🚫When your primary goal is money, you may find yourself in roles or projects that don't bring you joy or fulfillment. 

✅Passion and purpose are key to a satisfying life and career.

2. Compromised Values

🚫Over-focus on money can lead to ethical compromises and decisions that don't align with your core values. 

✅Integrity is priceless and foundational for lasting success.

3. Short-Term Focus

🚫Chasing immediate gains often means sacrificing long-term growth.

✅True success requires patience, resilience, and a long-term vision.

4. Burnout

🚫The relentless money-chase can lead to stress and burnout. 

✅Prioritizing well-being and meaningful work creates a healthier and more productive life.

Instead of chasing the dollar, consider these strategies:

1. Focus on Value Creation: 

⭐When you help others succeed, financial rewards often follow naturally.

2. Build Strong Relationships: 

⭐Trust and collaboration are more valuable than short-term profits.

3. Pursue Passion and Purpose: 

⭐This brings fulfillment and drives excellence and innovation.

➡️Money should be a result of doing what you love and doing it well.

Do you agree? Let me know in the comments. 

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Transform Your Life with These 7 Micro Habits

Personal well-being is built on small, consistent actions:

1. Prep the Night Before

→Action Step: Review your schedule and prepare for the next day.
→Benefit Explanation: Start the day confidently instead of rushed.

2. Keep Hydrated

→Action Step: Set reminders to drink water throughout the day.
→Benefit Explanation: Staying hydrated prevents headaches, mood swings, and low energy.

3. Stretch Daily

→Action Step: Dedicate 10-15 minutes to full body stretching.
→Benefit Explanation: Improve blood flow and relieve tense muscles from prolonged sitting or repetitive motions.

4. Practice Kindness

Kindness Towards Others:
→Action Step: Make kindness your default.
→Benefit Explanation: Strengthen relationships and uplift those around you.

Kindness Towards Yourself:
→Action Step: Banish self-blame and focus on growth.
→Benefit Explanation: Enhance your well-being by treating yourself with care and compassion.

5. Declutter Regularly

→Action Step: Spend 10 minutes daily decluttering your spaces.
→Benefit Explanation: A clutter-free environment boosts your mental well-being.

6. Meditate and Deep Breathe

→Action Step: Allocate 10 minutes daily for meditation and deep breathing.
→Benefit Explanation: Declutter your mind, relax your body, and maintain a positive mindset.

7. Celebrate Daily Wins

→Action Step: Recognize and celebrate your progress each day.
→Benefit Explanation: Maintain motivation and a positive mindset by focusing on small achievements.

Integrate these micro-habits into your life and watch your health, productivity, and well-being soar!

Which of these habits will you start today?

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The secret to building a high-performing, resilient team

Build a resilient, high-performing team with these actionable leadership steps:

1. Avoid Judgmental Words

Action: Judgmental words. such as should and why, can detract from meaningful communication by making the listener feel defensive. Example: Replace "Why did you do that?" with "Walk me through your actions."

Benefit: Encourages open communication and trust.

2. Be Approachable

Action: Don’t make it stressful for your team to talk to you. Be available. You can still set boundaries, but be clear on how you can be reached for urgent matters.

Benefit: Cultivates a supportive and responsive environment.

3. Give the Big Picture

Action: Explain the reasoning behind tasks and how they fit into the broader goals.

Benefit: Enhances team understanding and motivation.

4. Encourage Growth Mindset

Action: Praise effort and learning from mistakes.

Benefit: Builds a culture of continuous improvement.

5. Promote Collaboration

Action: Facilitate teamwork and open dialogue among team members.

Benefit: Drives innovation and collective problem-solving.

6. Provide Timely Feedback

Action: Offer specific, actionable, and timely feedback.

Benefit: Helps team members improve and grow professionally.

7. Lead by Example

Action: Demonstrate the behavior and work ethic you expect.

Benefit: Sets a standard and inspires the team to follow suit.

8. Empower Your Team

Action: Delegate tasks and trust your team to handle them.

Benefit: Builds confidence and develops leadership skills within the team.

9. Recognize Achievements

Action: Celebrate both small and big wins regularly.

Benefit: Boosts morale and reinforces positive behavior.

10. Stay Adaptable

Action: Be open to change and flexible in your approach.

Benefit: Keeps the team agile and ready to tackle new challenges.

Implement these leadership actions to transform your team into a resilient and high-performing unit. 

Let's have a conversation in the comments: Which action will you start with today?

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Inside look: My incredible visit to Alibaba Headquarters in China

(part 3)

Sharing more from the incredible visit to Alibaba's headquarters in China plus the interview about my experience as a verified supplier. 

Being the first verified supplier in the U.S. has been a game-changer for my business, opening up new opportunities and connections on a global scale.

Check out this clip from the interview where I discuss the impact of this partnership on my business journey. 

Visiting the HQ of an industry giant was an unforgettable experience, and I'd love to share more about it with you.

Curious about what it's like inside Alibaba's headquarters?

Have questions about my experience as a verified supplier?

Drop your questions in the comments below, and let's start a conversation!

Alibaba.com USA Sellers

P.S. Make sure you're following me so you don't miss part 4 in this series.

The cloud is the new office space...

I recently talked to Rolling Stone about the importance of embracing remote work to stay competitive. See the link to the article in the comments.

Below I've included some highlights (plus a surprise ending).

Swipe through the carousel to learn more and transform your remote work practices.

How has remote work impacted your business? 

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

P.S. I discuss strategic philosophy & leadership topics daily. Make sure to follow me and join the conversation.

Quitting the Cubicle

A little #MondayMotivation for you to ponder as you sip your morning coffee: 

Where will your business take you next? More importantly, will you be ready for the opportunities and the challenges as they present themselves? With this in mind, always maintain a "dynamic mindset," which allows you to grow and pivot whenever necessary.

#Mindset #Growth #BusinessGrowth

A little #throwback Friday...? It's not as good as a rhyme, but I still wanted to share! 

Here I am with Eric Cross (Head of US Sales) at the #WhiteLabelWorldExpo in NYC.

Honored to have #TheAtlasNetwork be in a long-standing partnership with #Alibaba.com.

Had a wonderful time moderating key panels at Home Delivery World in Philadelphia, PA.

I sat down with Richard Crawford to chat about insights and trends that I picked up during my visit. Be sure to check it out at the link below! 

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eSNTSt6S

#SupplyChain #HomeDeliveryWorld #TheSupplyAndDemandShow

➡️Ever tried to untangle a ball of yarn while riding a roller coaster?

Welcome to the dynamic world of the global supply chain!

Here are 7 surprising facts about this amazing global network we rely on. 

(a couple of these might shock you)

1. 90% of global merchandise is shipped by sea ⚓

This makes maritime shipping a critical component of global trade.

2. 43% of small businesses do not track inventory 📄

Lack of proper management can lead to potential inefficiencies and lost opportunities.

3. 68% of U.S. Disruptions Are Caused by Unplanned IT Outages 🚫 

This underscores the need for reliable technology infrastructure.

4. 70% of companies cite supply chains as key for customer service ⭐

A strong supply chain is critical for excellent customer service, impacting everything from product availability to delivery times.

5. 57% of Companies use supply chain management as a competitive edge 🏆

More than half of companies leverage supply chain management for a significant competitive advantage in the market.

6. 67% of companies use spreadsheets for management 💻

Many companies still rely on spreadsheets to manage their supply chains, which can be prone to errors and inefficiencies.

7. 63% is the average supply chain accuracy in U.S. retail operations 🏬

There's room for improved accuracy and efficiency in retail supply chains to better meet consumer needs.

These facts were compiled by Zippia. 
(the link to this incredible research report is in the comments)

➡️Understanding these facts can help you understand the complexities of the global supply chain.

Which fact surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Here's a pic of me on the stage at the White Label World Expo in NYC... doing what I love!

It truly was such an honor to be a speaker at this conference. Moments like this really allow me to reflect on how far The Atlas Network has come.

#WhiteLabelWorldExpo #SupplyChain #TheAtlasNetwork

➡️The Latest Edition of Philosophy & Leadership is available now!

Here's what's inside:

-What you must know about the RFQ process (article 1 in a series)

-An update on my upcoming book + an opportunity to pre-order and save

READ NOW and let's talk about it in the comments!👇

Transforming Your Business: The Power of Understanding RFQs Familiarity with the intricacies of Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes is crucial for b

Open article: Philosophy & Leadership by Kerim Kfuri • 3 min read

The #1 way to feel confident in business decisions: understand your financial reports.

Here are 4 crucial financial reports all entrepreneurs need to know:

1. Income Statement (Profit & Loss Statement)

What it Shows: Revenues, expenses, and profitability.
How to Use It: Understand performance and identify trends.

2. Balance Sheet

What it Shows: Financial position at a specific time, including assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity.
How to Use It: Assess overall health and ability to meet obligations.

3. Cash Flow Statement

What it Shows: Inflows and outflows of cash.
How to Use It: Ensure liquidity is sufficient for business operations and understand cash usage.

4. Statement of Changes in Equity (Retained Earnings Statement)

What it Shows: Changes in equity over time.
How to Use It: Track how the company’s value is evolving.

Study these reports to deepen your understanding of your company's financial position. You'll gain insights, know the right questions to ask, and feel confident in your decisions.

Which financial report will you jump into first?

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Negotiation blunders can cost you big time...

Build your negotiation prowess by following these power moves from Harvard Law School:

1. Be thoroughly prepared.

➡️No matter how confident you feel, always spend ample time preparing. 

♟️Know your best alternative to negotiated agreement (BATNA) and your walk away point.

2. Avoid over-focus on competing.

➡️The fear of being taken advantage of can lead to focusing on competing. 

♟️Instead, build trust and look to create value for all parties.

3. Beware of cognitive bias.

➡️It’s easy to fall into common unconscious biases, such as being over-confident. 

♟️Reduce these effects through preparation and planning.

4. Don't let your emotions run away with you.

➡️Strong emotions can get in the way of the decision- making process. 

♟️When you feel emotions start to rule, take a break from the negotiation table.

5. Don't be tempted to take ethical shortcuts.

➡️It’s not only the truly ruthless that can trap themselves into an ethical shortcut. 

People often look for ways to justify decisions and actions. 

♟️Stay aware of this and be tuned into your moral code.

Use these tips to overcome common negotiation challenges 

(see comments for link to the Harvard Law School article.)

Let's talk about it- share your negotiation tips in the comments. 

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The rise of AI is something to be excited about, but it's also something that we should not get CAUGHT UP in. 

When we are able to balance and blend humans and computers, we can create magic. Too much emphasis on just the one right now will either cause disjunction (too much tech) or take away a competitive advantage (no tech).

#AI #Computers #Success #TechnologyIntegration

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