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January 2026 The Contractor’s Advantage
HarrisonLawGroup.com (410) 832-0000 jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com
THE HABIT THAT PROTECTS YOUR PAY STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD
Coming out of December and heading into the new year, a lot hits at once. Courts pick back up, phones start ringing more, and problems that had gone quiet for a few weeks suddenly resurface. I like the idea of a fresh start as much as anyone, but what really keeps things steady in my practice isn’t a slogan. It’s a habit.
seem to be stuck? That list isn’t just about cash flow. In many states, those are the jobs where you may have lien or bond rights that come with tight timelines. For me, liens and bond claims are what I call advantaged claims. They give you a better position than a basic contract claim if you use them on time. The catch is that the clock often runs from the last day you were on that project. If you let that date go stale and never look back at it, you can inadvertently give up that advantage. Change orders also fit into this review. Most contractors have had to move work forward while the pricing and paperwork trail behind. I understand why that happens. But problems start when no one circles back. An unsigned change order with vague pricing is exactly the kind of gap that turns into a fight later. During a review, I want to see those items pulled out and dealt with. The easiest way I have seen to build all this in is to tie it to pay applications. A lot of the trade contractors I work with are putting pay apps together around the 20th or 21st of the month. You are already in the numbers at that point. I advise people to use that time to review unpaid work, lien and bond deadlines, and open change orders, and make at least one clear decision on each item.
As often as possible, I sit down and review what’s already in front of me. I pull up my active cases, go back through my email, look at the stack of letters and
notes, and ask a simple question: What have I not really dealt with yet? It’s not a formal system I follow. I’ve read the books about organizing your life, and they have good ideas, but in the real world, things move too fast to follow a script. Instead, I lean on a process I trust.
Part of that comes from the kind of work we do. Many of our cases don’t look anything like the last one. No checklist fits every situation. On top of that, the other side is often a large firm with plenty of resources. If you give them an opening, they will take it. So, I try to find those openings myself before anyone else does.
There is a personal side to all this as well. Once I’ve gone through everything, I know what’s open, what’s moving, and what needs attention. My brain can relax, and I’m not lying awake wondering if some unanswered email or loose end is going to come back to bite me. I see the same need on the construction side. Contractors are busy. They are trying to land the next job while still closing out the last one. Problems don’t always show up as a lawsuit. They usually appear first as work that’s finished but not yet paid for. When I sit down with a contractor, I typically start with simple stuff. Where have you done the work and not been paid? Which invoices feel slow, and which ones
If you are looking for a better way to approach 2026, assess your review process and create a plan to carve out time each month to stay on top of everything. It might be one more thing to do, but it can save a lot of headaches later.
-Jeremy Wyatt
jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com | HarrisonLawGroup.com | 1
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Micro Pivots That Move Mountains
WHY SMALL SHIFTS CAN DRIVE BIG WINS IN BUSINESS
• Chase high-impact tweaks: Look for small changes with the biggest payoff, such as simplifying a checkout flow or reshaping a sales script. • Experiment like a scientist: Test, measure, and adjust. Small-scale trials mean low risk and faster learning curves. The key? Repeat relentlessly. Micro pivoting isn’t a one- and-done trick. It’s the engine of continuous improvement. Proof That Small Shifts Deliver Big Results Need real-life micro pivoting examples? Picture an online boutique that notices a dip in email open rates. Instead of overhauling its entire marketing strategy, it tests new subject lines, tweaks send times, and segments its audience more precisely. These minor adjustments could dramatically boost engagement and sales, proving that tiny shifts in approach can yield measurable results. Maybe a local café spots that lunchtime traffic is slower than usual. Rather than revamping the menu or opening new locations, they could experiment with a daily specials board, streamline online ordering, or offer quick lunch combos. This minor pivot could turn a quiet afternoon into a revenue-driving opportunity. Finally, imagine a subscription-based software platform that identifies a feature that users rarely touch. Instead of building a new product, the team could redesign the feature for simplicity, create in-app tutorials, or adjust pricing tiers. This subtle shift could significantly improve user satisfaction and reduce churn. The Entrepreneur’s Edge Micro pivots are your secret weapon against stagnation. While others cling to outdated strategies or bet on risky overhauls, you’ll build resilience and momentum one smart shift at a time. In entrepreneurship, survival isn’t about making one massive leap; it’s about making the right small moves, over and over again, until they stack into something unstoppable. So, ask yourself: What’s the next micro pivot that could change everything for your business?
In business, waiting until the storm hits to change course is too late. The most successful entrepreneurs don’t rely on dramatic reinventions or risky overhauls; they win by staying ahead with sharp, calculated micro pivots. These small but mighty shifts can unlock new opportunities, protect your bottom line, and keep you two steps ahead of your competition. What Makes Micro Pivots a Power Move Think of micro pivoting as fine-tuning, not overhauling. It’s about spotting subtle shifts in customer behavior, market conditions, and team performance, then making small adjustments before they snowball into major problems. This could mean tweaking your marketing message, adjusting pricing, or shifting resources toward a service feature that’s gaining traction. These changes might not seem dramatic, but when stacked over time, they can transform your trajectory without the upheaval of a complete business pivot. The brilliance lies in the balance: You’re adapting without disrupting your core mission. Why Entrepreneurs Can’t Ignore This Strategy Today’s market isn’t just fast, it’s ruthless. Consumer expectations shift overnight, competitors spring up from nowhere, and yesterday’s strategy can quickly become tomorrow’s liability. By practicing micro pivoting, you’re not waiting until something breaks to fix it. You’re catching opportunities in real time and avoiding risks before they become costly mistakes. Micro pivoting also creates a culture of adaptability. It shows your team that small, consistent improvements matter and encourages everyone to contribute ideas that sharpen your edge. That mindset keeps you competitive and fuels innovation from within. How to Master Micro Pivoting Here’s how to make micro pivoting part of your business DNA. • Pinpoint your performance drivers: Focus only on the metrics that fuel growth, like revenue streams, retention rates, and customer lifetime value. • Mine the data gold: Use analytics, feedback loops, and real-time insights to spot trends and pain points.
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The business lesson? Never underestimate the power of add- ons, customization, and consumer creativity. When your product becomes a platform instead of just a purchase, you can deepen customer engagement and unlock new revenue streams. From Clearance Racks to Catwalks
reintroducing your product in an unexpected context. Scaling Without Losing Soul Crocs’ rebound wasn’t just luck; it was a smart strategy. Management narrowed its focus on the core clog, expanded through high-profile collaborations, and doubled down on digital sales channels. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Crocs rediscovered its essence while allowing the brand to flex across multiple audiences, from nurses to Gen Z trendsetters. Crocs proves that business growth doesn’t always come from expanding product lines. Sometimes, it comes from refining, focusing, and amplifying what you already do best. Building a Movement Today, Crocs is a cultural phenomenon. The brand thrives because it transcended function to tap into identity. For many, Crocs
By the late 2000s, Crocs faced declining sales and critics who
signify individuality and a willingness to defy convention. This is the ultimate lesson for entrepreneurs: The strongest brands don’t just sell products. They create meaning, invite participation, and turn customers into communities. The Crocs journey shows that even the “ugliest” ideas can grow into beautiful businesses when paired with courage, adaptability, and a deep understanding of consumer psychology. Sometimes, what looks like a joke at first glance is the foundation of a movement.
dismissed them as a fad. Inventories piled up, copycats entered the scene, and the global recession hit hard. Many believed the brand was finished. But then came a bold pivot. Fashion designers began experimenting with Crocs on the runway, starting with Christopher Kane in 2016. What had been an anti-fashion symbol suddenly became ironic chic. Soon, luxury brands and celebrities joined the wave, and Crocs were back in the spotlight. Sometimes, survival depends on
HAVE A Laugh
When Toilets Were Taboo The Rise and Fall of the Hays Code
In old Hollywood, even the simplest things could cause trouble. A silly sound effect, a bathroom door, or a misplaced joke might get a film pulled before audiences ever saw it. From the 1930s through the 1960s, studios followed the Hays Code, a list of rules meant to keep movies “clean” after scandals in the 1920s. One rule banned the raspberry, or “Bronx cheer,” a childish noise considered too vulgar for film. Words like “lousy” and “cripes” were also forbidden, and Clark Gable’s famous line from “Gone With the Wind” nearly didn’t make it past censors. Priests and other clergy could be stern or kind but never funny or corrupt, and childbirth was considered too improper to show, even in silhouette. The oddest ban involved bathrooms. Toilets didn’t exist on screen until Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” flushed the rule away in 1960. After that cinematic breakthrough, the Hays Code began to fade.
jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com | HarrisonLawGroup.com | 3
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Jeremy Wyatt jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com HarrisonLawGroup.com (410) 832-0000
40 West Chesapeake Avenue, Ste. 600 Towson, MD 21204
Inside This Edition
1.
A Contractor’s Guide to Regular Reviews
2.
Unlock Explosive Growth With Micro Pivots 3. The Strange Rules of Old Hollywood 4. The Shoe Everyone Hated Became the Shoe Everyone Bought
How Crocs Went From Clearance Racks to a Cultural Icon When three friends set sail in 2002, they weren’t expecting to launch a billion-dollar brand. What began as a quirky foam shoe designed for boating became one of footwear’s most polarizing products. At first glance, the odd-looking clog was downright laughable. But once people slipped them on, comfort won out. This is a reminder that differentiation often beats conformity. A product that some people dislike can The ‘Ugly’ Shoe That Built a Billion-Dollar Empire
inspire fierce loyalty from others, and that passion is far more valuable than
The Crocs origin story proves that breakthrough products don’t always emerge from sleek design studios. Sometimes, they start with curiosity, a strange-looking prototype, and a willingness to take a bet where others see nothing. Embracing the ‘Ugly’ Factor Crocs didn’t succeed because they fit conventional beauty standards. Quite the opposite. The clunky foam silhouette turned heads, raised eyebrows, and sparked endless debate. But here’s the genius: Controversy meant attention. Rather than shy away from the design’s “love it or hate it” effect, the company leaned into it. Their messaging boldly claimed that utility and comfort matter more than fashion rules.
indifference. In crowded markets, being memorable is a superpower. Personalization as Power A turning point in the Crocs story came not from the company itself but from a clever mom who invented charms to decorate the clogs. These trinkets, known as Jibbitz, transformed Crocs into more than footwear; they became canvases for personal expression. Suddenly, kids, teens, and even adults could showcase individuality on their shoes.
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