Don’t have time to exercise?  Don’t sweat it. Ten minutes of stretching, along with cardiovascular and strength exercises, can do the trick.

Studies show that a healthy diet combined with a short exercise routine can have a positive impact on our overall health.

At Amway, we encourage employees to be physically active throughout the day to achieve their own Optimal Health. In our California and Michigan facilities, for example, Amway offers the “Take 10” exercise program, a routine modified from the breakthrough 4321 program developed by Sean Foy, a lead fitness consultant for the Nutrilite Health Institute.

The program is simple. For 10 minutes, an employee volunteer leads a non-sweat exercise routine that helps with flexibility, coordination, strength, rejuvenation and counter-repetitive motions. Exercises include overhead reach, chin drops, shoulder rolls, elbow butterfly and chair squats.

It only takes a short time to make a long-term investment in feeling better and living longer.

Three Amway leaders recently shared their experiences and tips on what helped make their markets successful.  Responding quickly to the needs of a specific market is a common thread, but what that looks like in different markets is, well, different.

At Amway Russia, it meant quickly expanding the support network – stores and staff included – to provide distributors with products as their businesses grew exponentially when this market opened, general manager of Amway Russia Richard Stevens told The Voice of Russia.

For Amway Malaysia, where more than 60 percent of distributors are age 35 or younger, success required providing them with meaningful ways to interact with the company and its products, said Amway Malaysia’s Paul Yee in an interview with the radio station BFB 89.9. For example, Amway opened experience centers and stores so distributors could get the “touch and feel” experience they prefer.

Amway Vietnam has focused its efforts in educating the public, government officials and the media about the direct selling business model, which until recently was largely unknown in that country, general manager Kam Chiong told BaoMoi.com. The market also has provided continuous training to its distributors to ensure they have the best tools to successfully build their business.

Leveraging these differences supports active entrepreneurs and helps our businesses grow stronger together. How has innovative thinking helped your business transform?

Earlier this week, our Global Amway Brand Vice President Todd Woodward had the opportunity to share his views on online reputation management with the readers of World of Direct Selling News.

We think the whole article is worth your time, but here are a few direct quotes:

“[sic] Direct selling is the most human of businesses. . . we believe that helping humans – not companies – to be succesful is a world-changing approach. Translating that online is critical to improving our reputation.

“Our business is succesful because of people. Direct selling companies and our representatives are such a powerful online combination. If we work together, we can improve the online experience for our customers, prospects, media, bloggers and other influencers alike . . .

“We can show people the personalities behind our brand; add value to every conversation; and speak the universal truths about direct selling to the world: that people earn income; receive valuable training and personal development; take back their time and their lives; use their newly found station to impact greater social issues.

“We can make measurable improvements to our reputation and have a dramatic effect on our industry’s growth in the process.”

What do you think?

This morning, four of Grand Rapids’ finest cultural institutions announced a collaboration, titled “Museums Free 4 All,” to offer free admission on four Sundays in 2012.

January 22 is the first of these dates in which the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Grand Rapids Art Museum will welcome the region’s residents for free from noon to 5 pm.

Amway is one of two major co-sponsors whose donation made this collaboration possible. Through it, a family of five who goes to one museum on each free Sunday could save as much as $114 this year.

Said Global Amway Brand Manager David Madiol, “We know how fortunate we are to have world-class cultural facilities right here in the backyard of Amway. We believe in so many things this program stands for, such as affordable family time; collaborations that benefit our community; and of course, the chance for more kids to understand the ways art, play and history impact our society. We’re excited to be a part of this.”

When it comes to eating well and exercising, Nutrilite brand ambassador Samim Rizvi doesn’t just walk the talk. He cycles it, too.

Rizvi, the only Indian to qualify for the Race Across America (RAAM), was recently featured in an article by Indian Bloom for his efforts in promoting healthy eating habits and fitness in Kolkata.

Rizvi, who also counts among his accomplishments riding 435.6 miles (701 kms.) in 24 hours and riding from Mumbai to Bangalore and back in 3.5 days –a round trip of about 1,228 miles or 1,976 kms.- said that optimal health is all about balance, both in your eating habits and your exercise.

“A well-balanced diet, full of variety of fruits and vegetables and right supplementation go hand in hand with (a) fitness workout.”

“Here’s to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old;

“Here’s to new things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.” – Author Unknown

Amway will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2012 in observance of New Year’s Day. We wish all of our readers a 2012 filled with friendship, joy, laughter and prosperity.

Earlier this week, the National Basketball Association released its much-anticipated 2011-2012 schedule. Games begin in less than three weeks and run through the end of April.

The NBA’s Orlando Magic, the team that is owned by Rich DeVos and plays in the arena that bears our name, will play 66 home games this year. But even more importantly, the NBA lock-out did not jeopardize the mid-season classic also known as the NBA All-Star Game.

When the Amway Center hosts the game on Sunday, February 26, 2012, it will be broadcast in more than 40 different languages, and be seen in more than 200 countries. And we think that will make for a 2012 season that is beyond magical.

Whether someone has been an engaged Amway distributor since 1959, or is just getting to know one of the Amway award-winning brands today, there is a lot to learn.

Many want to focus on the Amway business opportunity that provides the freedom to set a flexible schedule and be part of entrepreneurial community that mentors and supports them. For others, it’s about products that perform and come with the trusted advice of a friend. And for some, Amway is viewed through the lens of the Amway One by One Campaign for Children that brought hope to their family or community.

No matter what Amway means to you, this video means something to us. In less than three minutes, it tells the story – the complete one – of who Amway is today.

After a hockey player scores a goal, he or she might pump a fist; jump against the boards; or dance with his or her stick.

This is called a celly: hockey-speak for celebration.

We’re joining the city of Orlando, Florida in its celly to welcome the Orlando Solar Bears back to the ice.

Once an International Hockey League champion team, the Solar Bears went into hibernation in 2001 when the league itself collapsed.  Now, they’re back! The first of the team’s 36 home games will take place in October 2012 at the Amway Center, the 875,000-square-foot arena that bears our name and was designed with the dream of someday housing a hockey team in addition to the NBA’s Orlando Magic.

The Solar Bears are expected to draw up to 7,000 people per game. That’s another 250,000 hockey fans – in addition to Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings fans – who will get to know the Amway brand more closely.

And that is cause for another celly.

Amway was recently named to this year’s InformationWeek 500 listing of the nation’s most innovative users of business technology.

We were included in the ranking for creating mobile apps to help our distributors manage their businesses and sell products.  These include the Artistry skin care recommender app, which puts a powerful analysis tool right in our distributors’ hands.

It’s appropriate recognition for an app-ropriate use of technology!