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December 2022
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What Would You Change? The Pull and Power of Regret
Time travel is the frequent subject of blockbuster movies and hit TV shows. Dec. 8 is Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day, and your first thoughts might be of going back to Colonial times to see the early days of America or being the hero who assassinates Hitler. But many of us regularly engage in a quieter and more personal time travel exercise. We all have regrets and sometimes wish we could change the things we did (or didn’t do).
home to help around the house. I had so much to do at work and planned to return later, but whether it was from exhaustion, stress, or just a hunch, I didn’t go back. That doesn’t sound very bold, but risking missed deadlines to take time for yourself can be a great act of boldness as an attorney. It paid off. That night, my daughter walked for the first time. She was giddy as she walked around the kitchen in a circle, taking 5–10 steps, falling, giggling, and then getting back up to do it all again. She was so proud of herself, and I’ll never forget the glee on her face. I’m glad I had the boldness to choose time with my family in the face of immense pressure not to.
Author Daniel H. Pink recently released a book called “The Power of Regret.” He extensively studied regret and found that
we have similar regrets across ages, cultures, and languages. They fall into four broad categories.
Foundation regrets are about big picture items and future stability — wishing we’d saved more, gone to college, or eaten healthier. Boldness regrets happen when you could have taken a chance but didn’t. Moral regrets refer to our guilt over having done something wrong or harmful. And we face connection regrets when we don’t nurture our relationships and let them lapse.
Pink says to listen to the little voice in your head holding you back and ask, “Am I creating a boldness regret?” It’s a
beneficial exercise. Many attorneys think it’s their job to eliminate risks. I don’t. I believe my role is to advise clients about risk practically so they can make the best decisions. But I never want to stand in the way of people’s boldness choices.
I’ve been working with entrepreneurs and watching them take bets for 25 years. I’ve found again and again that whether or not their venture succeeded, their lives are better for trying. Facilitating that process is one of the best parts of my job. West Coast Franchise Law allows me to help people invest in themselves and take a chance. We will never eliminate all of our missed opportunities and “what ifs,” but I’m glad to help people keep their list of regrets as short as possible.
Boldness regrets interest me the most because they help prove the adage that, at the end of your life, you regret the things you didn’t do more than what you did. I certainly have my share. Perhaps most devastating is the missed
opportunity after Black Monday in 1987 when the stock market crashed. I was only 18 but had a few thousand dollars and felt the urge to invest while the market was low. I would’ve made a fair amount of money — but I never took the chance. But rather than ruminating on those regrets, I try to learn from them. And I’m happy to say I’ve had many successes. I remember earlier in my career when my oldest daughter was only 1-year-old, I came
– Nate Riordan 1 206-903-0401
Lighting Up Life One Pine Needle at a Time Travel-Worthy Christmas Trees As the holiday season approaches, the twinkling lights and spectacular Christmas tree attractions are always a must-see! Here are the best travel destinations to catch a glimpse of one of the pillars of the holidays. THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER TREE IN NEW YORK CITY The Rockefeller Center tree is located just west of 5th Avenue from 47th through 51st streets in New York City and dates back to the Depression era, with the first tree placed there in 1931. This beloved tourist attraction draws thousands yearly with its dazzling lights and grand scale. To even be considered a contender for this role, a tree must be at least 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide! THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. This American favorite has long been a tradition. Every year, the ceremony begins with live performances by musical artists, and an annual highlight is when the president delivers a message of peace.
2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs. A local choir and a quartet from the U.S. Marine Band performed as the tree was lit.
THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT TREE IN IDAHO Also known as the World’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree, this grand fir holds the record at 162 feet tall. It is festively decorated with more than 40,000 lights that twinkle in time to the music of “Jingle Bells,” and the tree is crowned with a 10-foot-wide star! THE BILTMORE CHRISTMAS TREE IN NORTH CAROLINA This majestic 55-foot Norway spruce tree is in front of the Biltmore Estate and lit as guests make their way down the path of luminaries. With ornaments and miles of garland, this tree is selected for the Banquet Hall each year for guests from all over to see. Some are lucky enough to live near or in a city with a magnificent tree, but if you don’t, consider traveling to one of these locations to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.
President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to light the National Christmas Tree in 1923. The tree was 48 feet high and decorated with
Handling the Daily Grind
HIRING EFFECTIVE MANAGERS
Few franchise owners can be onsite at their business all day, every day — and even fewer want to be. So, in addition to a team of reliable employees, you’ll also need someone to manage them when you can’t. Having managers work for you will allow you to delegate work schedules, customer complaints, and other routine tasks and focus on the bigger picture. But finding a person you can trust with your business is often easier said than done. When hiring managers for your franchise business, your first step should be to check your franchise agreement and reach out to your company contacts. Many franchises have requirements for management hires, so you need to know them in advance. Your franchise also may have resources like stock job descriptions, advertisements, and posters to use in your search. Next, consider whether your current staff may be suitable for promotion. Not every team member will have the experience, availability, or track record to make them manager material — but someone probably does. Hiring from within means less time training a new manager, and seeing a possible career path for themselves will boost employee morale and retention. External hires are sometimes necessary, but make sure you’re not overlooking existing talent.
Once you have an applicant pool, you’ll want to screen candidates for industry experience, prior management experience, and a customer service history. You may not find a candidate who ticks every box, so consider which qualifications are most important to you before you start scheduling interviews. Only interview applicants you would seriously consider hiring, or you’re wasting both their and your time. During the interview, ask your candidates behavioral questions reflecting their management style and decision-making. For example, responses to, “Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict between employees” and “Describe a time you turned a poor customer experience into a positive one” will tell you a great deal about the person you’re interviewing. But while you should focus on their answers, don’t forget to pay attention to how they deliver them. Is the candidate friendly and smiling, or do they avoid eye contact and mumble? Your managers will interact with employees and customers daily, so their personalities and communication skills matter. The perfect candidate will get along with your staff and command their attention and respect.
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Getting Involved How Community Engagement Helps Your Business
Giving back to others feels good — but it’s also good for your business’s bottom line. Community involvement can give your franchise a greater sense of purpose while spreading the word about what you have to offer. The more your business engages with the community; the more likely the community is to engage with your business. Community engagement through volunteer work, sponsorship, or donations allows you to promote your business while doing something positive for others. Franchisees sometimes face the problem of being overly associated with the national brand, with customers not understanding its local ownership and operation. Once the community realizes that your business is run by someone in the community and not a faceless corporation, they’ll be more likely to support your endeavors. In addition to raising awareness, community engagement also helps build trust. People want to make connections and support others with whom they share values. Donating and volunteering show them that you want to help your neighbors — not just make money. Further, a community’s overall health and prosperity typically make for healthier and more prosperous businesses.
can be just as valuable as writing a big check. Volunteer work also provides an opportunity to create more connections with community leaders. Getting staff involved is even better — they’ll feel a greater sense of purpose at work, and the community will feel a greater connection with your business. So, where do you start? Considering your passions is always a great jumping-off point. Your involvement will appear more authentic when you have a genuine interest in an organization or cause. But it doesn’t hurt to be strategic
about your choices, either. For example, sponsoring a local youth team and adding your logo to their jerseys will help you secure lots of attention. Consider your goals, and ask organizations how you can help.
The most important thing is not to overcommit yourself and only make promises you can keep. As long as you keep your community
involvement manageable, you’ll likely see substantial returns on your investment. Your neighbors will, too.
Community involvement doesn’t necessarily require a lot of money. Volunteering at an animal shelter, youth program, or local event
WHOVILLE ROAST BEAST
TAKE A BREAK
No wonder the Grinch stole this roast beast — it’s absolutely mouthwatering.
Ingredients: • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tbsp paprika • 2 tsp black pepper • 2 tsp salt • 3 tbsp olive oil •
Inspired by TasteMade.com
• • • • • •
2 bay leaves
4 thyme sprigs 2 rosemary sprigs 1/2 cup beef broth
1 12-oz bottle of stout beer 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
1 5-lb bone-in rib-eye roast
• •
3 tbsp butter
2 heads of garlic, halved
Directions: 1.
Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, and olive oil. 3. Place roast in a baking pan and coat with spice mixture. Let marinate uncovered in refrigerator for 1 hour. 4. Place pan on stove over high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, then add butter, garlic, and herbs.
Solution:
5. When butter melts, add broth, beer, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. 6. Transfer pan to oven. Braise until meat is tender, up to 2 hours. 7. Remove roast from pan and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, strain pan juices and put back into pan and boil until reduced by half. When finished, slice roast and serve with pan sauce.
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IN THIS ISSUE 1 2
Avoiding Regret Best Christmas Tree Attractions to Visit This Holiday Season How to Hire Effective Managers Community Involvement Is a Sound Investment Whoville Roast Beast Great Advice From 3 Entrepreneurs
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Learn From the Best Entrepreneurs Every Business Should Listen To
When entrepreneurs prepare to start a business or try to grow their company, they often search for advice from other successful entrepreneurs. So much information about the business world is available though. Regardless of whether you head to the bookstore to buy a new book or navigate to YouTube to find helpful videos, it can be overwhelming. With all of these options available, you may wonder, “Which entrepreneurs or business owners are actually worth listening to?” While recently talking with successful entrepreneurs about which people inspired and taught them important lessons, the same few names came up repeatedly. So, according to leaders across various fields, here are three business owners you should learn from if you want to grow your business. DARREN HARDY It’s rare to meet a business owner who has not heard of or read one of Darren Hardy’s books. The author of “The Compound Effect” and “The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster” has been a leader in the personal development industry for over 20 years. Hardy is the developer of award-winning training programs for entrepreneurs
and is the founder of SUCCESS magazine. He even prides himself on mentoring new business owners and helping them find success.
SIMON SINEK To grow your business, you must become a successful leader, but what does that look like? Simon Sinek has written books like “Start With Why” and “Leaders Eat Last” to help train entrepreneurs so they can become successful leaders. Whether you watch his online talks, listen to his podcast, or read one of his books, Sinek will inspire you to build a business that you will truly believe in. MEL ROBBINS Procrastination is one of the greatest obstacles entrepreneurs can face. They might have great ideas in mind, but getting them started can often be a real challenge. That’s where Mel Robbins comes in. She struggled with procrastination for years, racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt before she found the secret to overcoming her problems. Luckily, she shares her thoughts in her book “The 5 Second Rule” and has given helpful information through numerous speeches. Now she’s using her previous hardships to help other business leaders avoid making all-too-common mistakes.
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