Check out our March newsletter!
BUILD. NOT BILLED.
TM
MAR 2018
BUI LDING BLOCKS
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CREATING YOUR OWN LUCK Work Hard, Think Differently, and You’ll Be Surprised By the Results
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” –Unknown Luck is a curious thing. Like time, we always seem to want more of it. Some folks rely on “the luck of the Irish” often in March, especially when filling out their NCAA brackets. Others rely on their lucky hat, jersey, charm, four-leaf clover, coin, or another inanimate object. I have friends who won’t wash their lucky shirt during their favorite team’s playoff run — even if we beg them! How? Well, in my experience, hard work often comes into play. I love the above quote, often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, for that very reason. I believe that work creates opportunity, too. Personally, I like to give the universe a lot of occasions to make something great happen around me. That’s why I believe in taking massive action in areas where I’m trying to make progress. Think about it: Who’s more likely to get “lucky” and hit a hole-in-one? The occasional duffer or the committed golfer who is hitting the links every weekend? Or, in my family’s instance, the person who only visits the putt-putt mini golf course once a year or the one who has a season pass? Practice makes lucky. People look for luck in some of the oddest places, but the truth is that it’s right in front of you. You, quite literally, have the power to make your own luck.
They needed someone with exactly my background. What luck! Or rather, what hard work! What preparation! What practice!
Sometimes, luck is created by simply changing your perspective. Author Cormac McCarthy said, “You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.” It’s a humorous sentiment, but it demonstrates a great way to keep your spirits high despite a tough situation. I think of the old story about two competing shoe salesmen who are sent to a distant land to scout out the territory. One sends back a telegram to the home office: “Situation hopeless. No one here wears shoes.” The other sends back a different telegram: “Unlimited opportunity. They have no shoes.”
Perspective helps us see our luck.
Benjamin and Rosamund Zander wrote one of my favorite books, “The Art of Possibility.” In it, they argue that everything in life is invented — that is, it is all about perspective. And in that case, why not invent something wonderful? Why not imagine a life of possibility, rather than a life of limitation? Or consider Yankee great Lou Gehrig who declared himself “the luckiest man alive” despite his circumstances. Reread his speech. It was all about perspective.
Doesn’t it strike you that the people who say they have the worst luck always seem to live up to that expectation?
This isn’t to say that every time you work hard you are going to get the results you want or expect, or that you can “happy think” your way to success. Luck is more mystical than that; it’s not a straight quid pro quo. Instead, hard work creates opportunities for the universe to reward you in ways you may least expect. Perspective helps you recognize it. That’s the luck — the discovery, and the aha moment when you see how it has all turned out.
Emily Dickinson wrote about it more artfully — as you would expect — when she said, “Luck is not chance. It’s Toil. Fortune’s expensive smile is earned.”
In my own career, I had a lot of roles in a prior company as I learned more about how to make a corporation run. I spent time in litigation, employment, compliance, intellectual property, and commercial contracts, to name a few. To some, it might have seemed like I couldn’t hold down a single position in the firm, that I hadn’t found my fit. But when the markets went south, and I needed a new plan as the company was crumbling around me, all of that hard work in different areas turned into luck as I found a new job that combined all of my past career experiences into one.
This March, I wish you all the luck in the world. But the truth is you don’t really need it.
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Conflict resolution is never easy work. One wrong move can trigger the fault lines in an already complicated relationship. On the other hand, nothing good comes of allowing an unresolved problem to fester. Finding common ground is a must, even when it’s difficult or painful. We’ve provided resolution practices for both internal and external affairs so that you can be ready to handle any conflicts that come your way. SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions,” a book written by leadership guru John Maxwell, lays out the foundational concepts behind any effective conflict resolution session. Ask questions. If communication is a two-way street, then conflict resolution is a highway. Asking a great question starts the flow of communication. “Why?” is often the easiest and best question to start with. “Five Whys” by Sakichi Toyoda is a method that you can use to untangle any issue. According to this principle, you can get to the heart of the matter within five times of asking why. Understanding and articulating the core of your issue will help you create a win-win scenario. CREATE A WIN-WIN In a win-win scenario, your conflict is resolved in a way that satisfies all involved parties. Ensure a win-win by taking these steps. 3 SKILLS YOU NEED TO RESOLVE YOUR NEXT CONFLICT • • • • •
Acknowledge the issue. Find common ground. Understand all sides.
Attack the issue, not the person. Develop a mutual plan of action.
COMPROMISE IS KEY Most conflicts come from emotional wounds, and those wounds need to be healed. The only way to truly find a solution for both parties is to find mutual compromise. If you are coming from a place of understanding and working toward a win-win, then compromise is a natural stepping stone to conflict resolution. If you aren’t, compromise may just be a way to put a patch on the problem instead of actually solving it. Successful conflict resolution resides in these three ideals, and all of them require emotional intelligence. A certain degree of self-awareness and empathy is the foundation of finding solutions. When these traits are combined with understanding, an effort to find a win-win situation, and willingness to compromise, you’ll find your conflicts resolved in an effective, equitable manner that will maintain relationships for a lifetime.
DOING GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY OTTO KEIL FLORIST: A BUSINESS TO EMULATE
Simply put, Otto Keil Florist and Emma’s Garden believe in taking care of their employees. That translates to happy employees — employees who, like the business, go the extra mile. The relationship they have built as a team (as well as with their customers) is a collaboration. They make it a point to listen. This is a business that has strived, and succeeded, to build an excellent reputation and a good name in the community. When you do good, your reputation precedes you. It’s an a example a lot of businesses can learn from. At the end of the day, they work hard, do good, and create opportunities. When you bring these things together, you’ll find that they’ve made their own luck — luck that has persisted for 76 years, and will undoubtedly hold for many more years to come. Ask anyone in the Keil family, and they will tell you just how fortunate, and lucky, they are.
How often do you come across a business that not only deeply cares about the community, but also shows that
same level of care for its employees? Meet Otto Keil Florist.
This family business got its start in 1942. Today, they’re third generation family-owned and they are a genuine staple of the community. A wholesale greenhouse, they serve independent customers, and they do so year-round. No matter your needs, they are there for you. But they are also there for their employees. In the agricultural industry, it’s no secret that workers aren’t always treated with the highest level of respect. Usually, the pay isn’t good, and the jobs are seasonal. The idea of “stability” is little more than a dream. Otto Keil Florist and Emma’s Garden turns that idea on its head. They compensate their employees better and they hold onto them year-round. Plus, they offer benefits — real benefits many folks in other industries take for granted. It’s a rarity in agriculture, where many businesses don’t offer competitive benefits or good pay.
Otto Keil Florist and Emma’s Garden Growers 30 East Gate Drive Huntington, NY 11743 631-692-7627
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Quality LIFE HomeCare
Quality Living Is For Everyone. This is the motto Quality LIFE HomeCare Inc., a Uniondale-based company that believes deeply in this simple fact. They’ve made it their mission to provide a higher standard of home care for everyone. It’s not just about the wealthy and well-connected. Everyone deserves an active and healthy lifestyle, no matter what stage of life they’re in. Quality LIFE HomeCare was established in 2014 by managing partners Jamie Rogers and Thia Wellington-Gardner. The two first met back in 2004 at Hofstra University. They then went on to graduate from Dowling College with a pair of MBAs. Call it serendipity. Call it luck. They came together with different educations and backgrounds to make a difference in the lives of others. You won’t find a more dedicated pair.
• Hourly care • 24/7 multiple shift care • Live-in care • Weekends and holidays • Temporary or long- term care • Activities of daily living (ADL) • Custodial care • Assistance with grooming
• Bathing or showering • Medication reminders • Meal preparation • Errands, shopping, walks • Doctor visits • Hygiene assistance • Respite for family caregivers • Rewarding companionship
And the list goes on. Jamie and Thia’s initial vision has blossomed into something incredible. Going into 2018, their business continues to innovate in the realm of home care. They are putting together a program to take their services to new heights. They are working hard to create new opportunities for families, older adults, and our community. For more insight into Quality LIFE HomeCare, be sure to visit their website at qlifehomecareinc.com.
Through that dedication, Quality LIFE HomeCare has grown to offer a wide range of services. Some of these services include the following.
AROUND THE FIRM
Do you LOVE your LOVE LAW FIRM newsletter? Tell us about it for a chance to win $150 worth of spring bulbs and blooms for planting in your garden. Enjoy the beauty of spring with this assortment. Raffle entries are simple — just give us a call and tell us you love your newsletter for one entry, OR post a picture of you with your newsletter on our social media page to receive two entries! The winner will be picked on March 31. Good luck, and thanks for showing us some LOVE.
March 16 – LIBF Women’s Forum Luncheon. To attend, please contact me. March 19 – Offices closed. It’s my spouse’s birthday! March 28 – Building Blocks Webinar: “Choosing A Legal Entity.” To attend, register at www.buildnotbilled.com. March 30 – Good Friday. Offices are closed. April 13 – LIBF Women’s Forum Luncheon. To attend, please contact me. April 25 – Building Blocks Webinar: “Employer Best Practices.” To attend, register at www.buildnotbilled.com.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information about Love Law Firm, PLLC’s qualifications and experience. The information provided in this newsletter does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Any prior results described in this newsletter do not guarantee a similar outcome. Love Law Firm, PLLC’s distribution of this newsletter is not intended to create, and will not create, an attorney-client relationship with you.
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When Luck Is Right in Front of You INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Conflict Resolution Is More Than Just Compromise A Florist Every Business Can Learn From
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A Duo’s Passion for Providing the Best in Home Care
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Business Advice: Balancing the Books
BALANCING THE BOOKS BOOKKEEPING ADVICE FOR SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS
BUSINESS ADVICE
Bookkeeping is one the least glamorous parts of owning a business, but if not managed properly, it can lead to disaster. When people are starting a company, they often have vague ideas about how to track finances. The better grasp you have on your books, however, the more your business will benefit. Here are some tips to ensure your bookkeeping is efficient. As a business owner, the most obvious mistake you can make is to keep your financial information all in your head. You have enough details about your business to keep track of! Now, you don’t need Goldman Sachs-level financial software, but a permanent record is much easier to manage. Services like Quickbooks and Freshbooks are tailored to small businesses, and Wave Accounting offers free bookkeeping software. Another way to make bookkeeping easier is to eliminate the use of cash. Years ago, business owners had a much harder time monitoring spending and relied heavily on paper receipts. If you use a credit or debit card, your bank will likely provide you with a detailed online record of all transactions that can be easily transferred to your financial records. In the event you need to investigate spending, the history will be readily accessible.
bookkeeping is relatively simple, it builds up into a huge mess when you keep putting it off.” If you can develop smart systems for bookkeeping early on, you will have a strong foundation as your business grows and finances become more complicated. Branch recommends that you break all revenue streams and expenses into easily trackable categories to make finances digestible. Get more of his advice at LessEverything.com. Lackluster bookkeeping can also create unnecessary risk for businesses in the form of fraud and embezzlement. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, more than 30 percent of all fraud occurs in small companies. If you aren’t keeping track of invoices and expenditures, you are leaving openings for people to fudge the numbers. A thorough bookkeeping system makes it much easier for you to notice and address discrepancies, and regular financial analysis will safeguard your company from persistent fraud. Finding the optimal bookkeeping method for your business takes time and often requires changes during growth. The importance of strong bookkeeping, though, resonates with companies of all sizes and industries. Keeping your books in good shape will allow you to avoid uncertainty and bad decision- making. Managing your company’s finances isn’t the reason you got into business, but it will help you stay in business.
One common mistake businesses make that snowballs quickly is procrastination. Allen Branch, founder of LessAccounting, notes, “Even though
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