FEB 2019
WADE LAW GROUP
THE LEGAL ISSUE 408-842-1688
www.WadeLitigation.com
MORE COMMUNITY OUTREACH,
MORE SERVICE IN 2019
With the start of the new year, many of us dive into the goals we set in January. For me, a big goal in 2019 involves looking at the big picture with my firm and the impact we have and wish to have on our community. When I step back and get a bird’s eye view of where I want us to go this year, I lean toward increasing our involvement in the community. From early on in my legal career, it has been my priority to find ways to give back. I’ve worked with different community organizations and given motivational speeches to student groups, homeless shelters, religious organizations, and law schools. I enjoy connecting with groups of people, and I strive to inspire them. It’s different than presenting a case in front of a courtroom; though I’m still there to share information, I’m also there to encourage these groups to feel like they can overcome barriers and achieve what others might have told them is impossible. For example, a few months ago, I spoke at an organization that serves young men without homes. It was an incredible experience. When I gave the talk, I was moved by the excitement that suddenly appeared in everyone’s eyes. When my words connected with them, it was like I’d lit a spark. The group became animated and asked questions, and they were excited about my answers. It filled me with gratitude to be able to speak with them. I don’t know what happens when we all leave these talks, but I at least know that sharing my experiences with people who feel they have no one on their side is one way I can give back to and positively impact the community. I want to spend more time on community outreach in 2019, and to make that possible, I have to rely on the strength of my team. We recently added a new attorney to our firm, and I know he’s going to be a great addition to Wade Law and help us get closer to fulfilling our goals. I look forward to introducing him in next month’s newsletter. I’m also committed to making more downtime for myself this year. As I’ve shared with you, I have a hard time turning off my work brain. I love my job, and my passion leads me to put all of myself into my work — through nights, weekends, and holidays. This year, I want to build in more time for myself because I know it helps me better serve my clients. That work-life balance we talk about so often is important, even if I’m not the best example of it — at least not yet.
My kids continue to be a priority in my life — that never changes. They also continue to amaze me. My daughter is a sophomore at UC Riverside, and she’s getting straight A’s. She’s very focused on and interested in school, and it brings me joy to see her living out the commitment to education that her mom and I instilled in her and her brother. When the kids were growing up, we spoke a lot about education. With two attorneys for parents, our kids understood what it takes to achieve big goals. Fortunately for us, our kids never required any major discipline. They’ve always been pretty self-motivated and driven. We would encourage their good grades and reward their efforts with praise and occasional incentives. It’s wonderful to see the result of that in their dedication to and enjoyment of school.
I’m looking forward to what 2019 has in store. How are you doing with your 2019 goals? I’d love to hear about how you’re sticking with them.
Amiel Wade
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THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB 3 WAYS A BAD RECEPTIONIST CAN RUIN YOUR COMPANY
organization. Your employees can also face this struggle. The chaos of trying to raise children while balancing a career and a personal life is a significant stressor. As the leader of your company, you can help ease these burdens. A date night for an anniversary, spontaneous time off, or even added vacation time are all simple gestures that go a long way to create a company culture where your employees feel loved. CREATE A CULTURE OF LOVE IN YOUR COMPANY 2 TACTICS THAT WILL CREATE LOYAL EMPLOYEES AUTONOMY A dangerous pitfall for many entrepreneurs is developing a detachment between their own work life and the work lives of their team members. During the growth of the business, owners can fall into the age-old employee-boss mindset, and that hierarchy often creates a rigid environment. The moment an employee starts to look at their manager as a boss is also when they start to see their work as a job rather than a career they’re excited about. Trust and autonomy are essential to developing a productive professional relationship, and offering your employees remote work, flexible schedules, and the freedom to take control of their workdays are great ways to establish reciprocal relationships and foster entrepreneurial mindsets. 2. THEY’RE DISORGANIZED. Your receptionist is responsible for relaying information to the rest of your company. What happens if a client calls while you’re in a meeting and you never call them back because you weren’t informed? What if a client’s file goes missing in a messy filing cabinet? A receptionist with poor organizational skills can increase stress around the office and anger clients. 3. THEY’RE NOT TECH-SAVVY. As your company’s jack-of-all-trades, your receptionist should be able to learn whatever software the company uses, from word processors and Excel to industry-specific software. Your receptionist should also be able to easily learn new skills to facilitate system improvements and new technology. The last thing you want is company-wide changes to halt because your receptionist insists on doing things their way. When you are hiring a receptionist, take the time to find a candidate who will make life easier for everyone at your company. You won’t regret it.
If you have a receptionist in charge of answering phones and greeting people who walk through the door, you need to know they’re making an excellent first impression. This applies to every company, from dental offices to law firms. A great receptionist can make your life easy, while a bad receptionist can lead your company to ruin. Here are three important red flags to watch out for. 1. THEY PUSH CLIENTS AWAY. As your gatekeeper, part of your receptionist’s job is to filter the lines of communication and make sure no one’s time is wasted. However, a receptionist should never treat clients like intruders interrupting their workflow. You want people to feel welcome at your company, otherwise they won’t want to keep doing business with you. This attitude should also extend to the rest of your employees. If your receptionist treats their coworkers like pests, there’s a chance they will treat clients the same way.
Company growth is the top priority for many entrepreneurs. If a business stagnates, it will eventually fail. However, when leaders focus solely on finding the best ways to reach new customers, they often overlook an integral part of running a cohesive company. While an operational-minded approach will do wonders for the efficiency of your business, behind every company’s success are the employees who made it possible. That’s why this Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to create a culture of love in your company. FAMILY One of the best things you can do is invest in what matters most to your employees: their families. A familiar problem for many business owners is that their families can fall by the wayside amid the complications of running an
Try some of these tactics at your company this February to create a culture of love where your employees and customers thrive.
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If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. With trail systems that take you into the Arctic Circle, the northernmost region of Sweden is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. Though winters are cold, one benefit of traveling to the region in this season is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. The northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the Arctic beauty. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna (this last one is a must any time of the year). Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry-filled dessert covered in marzipan. Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty in both late spring and summer, as well as a chance to see the midnight sun. Because of its INTO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE ADVENTURE IN SWEDISH LAPLAND
far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of sunlight from June through early August. Between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes, hiking here is a treat. While hiking, you may spot reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.
The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?
SUDOKU
SPICY SALMON TARTARE
This delicious tartare is the perfect healthy alternative to gut-busting game-day dips. Serve alongside your favorite chips or crackers for an appetizer that’s sure to impress.
INGREDIENTS
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3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
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1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet
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1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
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1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced
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1/4 teaspoon lime zest
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1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced
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1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced
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1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil
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1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
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Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
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Crackers or chips, for serving
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1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced
DIRECTIONS
When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve. 3 408-842-1688
1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes.
Inspired by Epicurious
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WADE LAW GROUP
84 West Santa Clara Street, Ste. 750 San Jose, CA 95113
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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What 2019 Has in Store
Is Your Receptionist Chasing Away Clients?
How to Create a Culture of Love
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Prepare for an Adventure in Lapland
Spicy Salmon Tartare
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Local Events
SOMETHING TO LOVE FOR EVERYONE
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: “ANTONY & CLEOPATRA” Where: Hammer Theatre Center, San Jose
When: Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Website: HammerTheatre.com
After the assassination of Julius Caesar, the only thing keeping Rome together is the careful leadership of General Mark Antony. But when Antony falls in love with Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, romance becomes a catalyst for war. Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo star in one of William Shakespeare’s most thrilling and heartbreaking tragedies. Recorded live at London’s National Theatre, “Antony & Cleopatra” is a story of power, politics, and the ill-fated passion that toppled an empire. See this incredible performance for yourself here in San Jose at Hammer Theatre Center for one night only.
SALSA AND SWING AT THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM Where: Crystal Ballroom, San Jose
3RD ANNUAL HOP ‘N VINE FESTIVAL Where: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose When: Saturday, March 9, 2–7 p.m. Website: HopnVineSJ.com
When: Mondays and Fridays Website: CrystalBDance.com
Looking for a way to really wow your valentine? Make some sparks fly on the dance floor with a surprise salsa or swing dance class. The Crystal Ballroom’s professional group dance classes are open to the public, and they’re a perfect place to learn some new moves or brush up on old ones you haven’t used since your wedding day! Beginners and experienced dancers alike are welcome to join in on this fun, romantic way to connect with your love.
The Hop ‘N Vine Festival returns to showcase some of the best wineries and breweries in Santa Clara County! Enjoy a wide selection of tastings from local wineries and breweries, grab a bite to eat, catch a lecture at Hop ‘N Vine University, and partake in some fun and games. This indoor event at Pavillion Hall will be held rain or shine, so grab your tickets now for this fun and delicious day.
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