REIB LAW
SHATTERPROOF NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2019
WWW.REIBLAW.COM | 940.591.0600
your door is literally open every minute of the day. You want to be available to your team, but not at a moment’s notice. You’ll never get anything done, and you’ll be doing your team a disservice. Instead, be available when your schedule is available. What I’ve found most effective is to block off time on my calendar so my team knows what I’m working on, and then I designate time when I am fully available for them. It’s similar to what college professors do. Remember when you had a question after class or wanted to talk about your research paper? You’d go visit them during office hours. It worked well for both parties: The professor was able to focus on grading and teaching and could devote their attention to students during office hours. Scheduling time when your team can come talk to you conveys that you care enough to be available for them. I also don’t typically take phone calls that aren’t scheduled because I wouldn’t be focused on my client. In whatever you do, be present. Close your door, work on a designated project for a set amount of time, and then be available for your team and your clients. This applies to work and home. Your family doesn’t appreciate you half- heartedly engaging in conversation while you’re responding to work emails. They’d rather you get your work done and then come hang out with them when they can have your full attention. Whatever you’re doing, be all in. I’m by no means perfect at this; I just know the difference. When we’re sitting on the couch trying to watch a family movie and I’ve got my laptop out, my kids can tell I’m not paying attention to the action sequence in the movie. It’s pretty obvious when I react 30 seconds late to the epic fight scene. This is something I have to work on. Right now, I’m in the process of converting my house so I have designated work space. In the past, I worked all over the house, which made it hard to concentrate because there would always be something going on. Now I’m creating a place where I can focus to get stuff done and then come out and leave my work there.
WHATEVER YOU DO BE ALL IN
I’m sure you can remember having this experience when you were a kid: You asked your parents a question, but they were engaged in reading the newspaper or watching tv. They gave you an answer, but it probably didn’t make a whole lot of sense. You might have even gotten a “Mmhmm, sure honey.” Sometimes, if you timed it just right, you could get them to say "yes" to something they wouldn’t agree to under any other circumstances. But mostly, their lack of attention was frustrating. I have this mental image of me at seven or eight years old placing my hands on both sides of my mom’s or dad’s face to get them to pay attention to me. I only did it when I had a really important request that could not wait. “Can I have some ice cream, please?” I would repeat, ever so patiently. When you interrupt someone in the middle of a task, you’re never going to get their full attention. It happens with kids and parents, and it happens all the time with employers and employees. I can think of several instances in the past when I went to a manager to ask a question and got a vague answer. We like to think we’re capable multitaskers, but in reality, we stink at it.
How do you create an open-door policy without sacrificing productivity? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
As I write this article, my door is closed so I can focus. Like I mentioned last month, an open-door policy doesn’t mean
–Scott
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CELEBRATING EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY
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Practicing flexibility in the office
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Praising team efforts and accomplishments
Employees are the backbone of any business, big or small. If you’re looking for a way to give thanks to your hardworking staff, there’s no better time than now. Employee Appreciation Day is a non-official holiday that takes place on the first Friday of March. However, this holiday doesn’t have to be confined to a single day, nor does it have to be expensive. HISTORY In 1995, the idea came to Dr. Bob Nelson — also known as the “Guru of Thank You” — and he put it into action. Dr. Nelson is a founding Recognition Professionals International board member, head of Workman Publishing, and author of “1,001 Ways to Reward Employees.” His goal was to create and bolster the bond between employee and employer in all industries. OBSERVING EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY An employer can use many different methods to give thanks to their employees. To celebrate, employers across the country throw office parties, buy lunch for the whole office, or give their workers part of the day off. Other ways to celebrate on that day, month, or throughout the year include:
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Giving thank-you cards to your staff
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Celebrating birthdays
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Giving rewards
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Creating an encouraging environment
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Recognizing team and individual achievements publicly
THE IMPORTANCE OF APPRECIATION No matter where they work, employees want to be treated like human beings. When they’ve reached a personal or professional goal or they accomplish a feat for their team, they want to be recognized. And when that recognition is given, employees feel proud of their work and valued as individuals within the company. It doesn’t take much effort to give that praise, and when you do, it affects the whole company in a positive way. Taking the time to value people for the work they do will create a happier and more productive workplace. Let this year’s Employee Appreciation Day be the first day of many to celebrate the efforts of hardworking employees.
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Organizing an after-work gathering
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Buying surprise snacks for the entire office
FOLLOWING THROUGH ON GREG CARDON’S ‘10X RULE’
not deny yourself success because you’re afraid to fail. “10X Rule” encourages us to move past our fears and into action. It encourages us to think beyond what’s within our grasp and beyond what might be easy. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is going after the hill when we should be tackling the mountain. Stop making the common mistake of setting your goals too low and start reaching higher and acting on it. While 10X applies to business strategy, Cardon is quick to remind us that his principles can be used in every area of life. From spiritual, to physical, to familial, there’s no limit on what you can do when you go at it with 10X. Inspired by the book, I’m making “take massive action” my theme for 2019. My first step to carry out this mission was to address some of my PR and marketing strategies. I want to connect with people who can help me grow my business and with clients who will benefit from my services. To do that, I need to take a 10X approach. I’ve been taking bigger, braver steps every day with 10X in mind.
I recently finished Greg Cardon’s business book “The 10X Rule.” (I know, I’m about 10 years behind everyone in getting to this one.) The message has revamped my approach to my goals. I tend to take little steps towards big goals, knowing I'll get there eventually. But thanks to the takeaway from Greg’s book, I’ve realized that’s not what successful people do.
If you talk to people who’ve found business success, they don’t get there with hesitant baby steps. They take massive action, as Cardon calls it. Applying 10X to your vision and goals will help you get where you want to go. 10X is a mindset, which is part of what makes it so powerful. It asks you to change the way you think about and act on your goals, leading you to realize that you can go further. The book is a wakeup call: “Success isn’t an option.” Use other people’s success to inspire you rather than make you feel defeated that you’re not there yet. Honestly, taking massive action can be scary. It’s something Cardon addresses in his book. It’s scary to go all in, but it’s also important to make that commitment to your goals and
What will you 10X this year?
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Since starting your business, you’ve experienced the emotional rollercoaster that so many entrepreneurs go on: the adrenaline and fear you felt when you were just starting out, the anxious excitement as business picked up and you realized this is working , and the daily joy and stress over the overwhelming amount of work it takes to sustain all this. Even when you get to what feels like a comfortable place with your business, it’s important not to become too comfortable. Looking for opportunities to expand what you know and learn what you don’t will benefit your business and help you stay at the top of your game. BY SHARPENING YOUR SKILL SET STAY ALERT TO CHANGES IN YOUR INDUSTRY Our fast-moving world doesn’t reward those who get comfortable. Technology brings swift change, meaning almost every industry can be impacted. To stay alert to what’s going on, you should subscribe to news outlets that cover your industry or delegate this task to a team member to ensure it doesn’t fall to the wayside. ENHANCE WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE Maybe you’ve had some experience in managing a group but could use a refresher and new tools to strengthen your STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME
leadership skills. Or maybe you enjoy diving into the big picture of your business, but your strategy side could use a tune up. Look for conferences and continuing education opportunities that will enhance what you already do well and keep you excited about doing more of it. ADDRESS YOUR WEAKNESSES Whether it's leadership or technical abilities or hard or soft skills, there are probably some areas for improvement in your professional life. Consider connecting with people who are knowledgeable in areas where you're lacking. You might even create a referral partner in the process. Creating a profitable business can be an overwhelming job, and there’s no reason to go it alone. My Fast Trac Bootcamp is designed with business owners like you in mind. The online sessions take you efficiently and effectively through what you need to know to Fast Trac your business to success. Enroll at Scottreib.com/bootcamp/
EVERYTHING POPCORN
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup popcorn kernels • 2 tablespoons flaky sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds • 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic • 2 teaspoons granulated onion • 1/3 cup canola oil • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
5 PROVEN STRATEGIES TO SHATTERPROOF YOUR BUSINESS. Fact: 1 in 3 businesses have been hit with a lawsuit or threatened with a lawsuit over the past three years. This book lays out five proven strategies that, when implemented properly, will absolutely protect you and your hard-earned assets from any possible legal action. Visit Scottreib.com/books/ to order your copy today!
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds. Shake skillet often and cook until white seeds are golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic, onion, and salt. 2. In a large saucepan, combine popcorn kernels and oil. Cook over medium- high heat, covered, until popcorn kernels start to pop. Once popping, continue cooking and shaking the pan intermittently until popping ceases, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Pour in butter and toss to coat. Finally, add seasoning, toss again, and serve.
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
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Be All In INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 2 3 3 4 Employee Appreciation Day! 2019 Goals: Take Massive Action Everything Popcorn
Take Your Business to the Next Level
The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags
AN INSIDE JOB THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING FLAGS
soldiers. Cemetery caretaker and veteran Vincent Wallace was appalled, as was the rest of his community. “I just can’t comprehend the mindset that would allow someone to do this,” Wallace said. Determined to find out who was to blame, police put up surveillance cameras and recorded the goings-on in the cemetery. As they watched the tapes, sure enough, they saw one of the culprits sitting atop a gravestone with an empty flagpole in front of him. It was a groundhog.
Theft is a serious matter, made even more grave when the victims are fallen war heroes. Such was the situation that stumped police in Hudson, New York, in 2012. The crime was first committed in July of the previous year. Flags had been placed around the graves of soldiers in Cedar Park Cemetery — only to go missing right around Independence Day. Veterans groups and locals were outraged and mystified by the crime. Some worried that a hate group was to blame, as the missing flags had adorned the graves of Jewish soldiers. Veterans worked to replace the flags, one by one, and right the wrong. No culprit was found, and the community moved on — until the following July, when the mystery repeated itself.
Apparently, the wooden flagpoles attract groundhogs, something other groundskeepers have experienced as well.
“I’m glad we don’t have someone who has taken it upon themselves to desecrate the stones and the flags in front of them,” said Hudson mayor Bill Hallenbeck. "We can all rest a little easier knowing that it was a critter and not a human defacing our flags, especially those of the veterans,” added Hudson’s police commissioner.
Like the year before, flags were placed on veterans’ graves in honor of Independence Day, and again, they went missing sometime in the night, this time taken from the graves of African American Civil War
Turns out Punxsutawney Phil has some very naughty cousins — ones who aren’t subject to the law.
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