THE HERO I N S I DE R
www. yol of sky l aw. com (305) 702-8250 JANUARY 2018
FROM THE
Yolofsky Office
The Holidays have come and gone and as the New Year has so rapidly approached us, we are focusing on our New Year’s resolutions. Among other goals and resolutions in 2018 for better health and self-improvements, we decided to take it a step further. We are on a mission to increase the number of pre-need guardian declarations made in South Florida this year! Would you believe that only 1/100%, yes .0001, of families in Broward County have filed their Declaration. We want to take this very important step to help more people become a Hero to their Family. Also, I am looking forward to the spring lacrosse season for the east Fort Lauderdale 12U Lady Landsharks. Many of these girls just finished a successful “fall ball” season. It is an honor to continue as their coach. We are a growing program in South Florida Youth Lacrosse. Hopefully, your 2018 has started well and we wish you success with all your endeavors in the new year!
With the arrival of a new year, you’re probably setting some goals for your business. Some of these, no doubt, will be related to your numbers. Maybe you want to increase retention, grow revenue, or reduce unnecessary spending. These are all worthy goals, but don’t be afraid to tackle some big-picture ideas, as well. If you’re in need of some inspiration, look at a few of 2017’s most notable industry leaders, and consider adapting their strategies to fit your own company. HONE YOUR SERVICE LIKE WARBY PARKER Across countless industries, specialization is all the rage. Tesla has come to dominate the electric car market, in large part because they offer nothing else. Glasses manufacturer Warby Parker is another great example of wonderful specialization. They don’t sell a million products from a thousand brands. Instead, they focus on their own products, do the bulk of their sales online, and offer in-home trials. Ask yourself what makes your business special and make that the focal point of your company. Are you spending too much money on supplementary products that bring little value to your brand identity? Could that money be better spent on the thing that sets your business apart? When you trim the fat from the products or services you offer, you’ll strengthen your brand. Unless you’re Amazon, it’s hard to be a one-stop shop. BLOG LIKE WHOLE FOODS Having a blog is a great way to get eyes on your website and share valuable information with both current and prospective customers. However, too many businesses create a blog without any foresight or direction. Maybe they stop posting after a month or provide bland content that doesn’t interest readers. Some companies solely post direct advertising, which sours readers. But these mistakes are easily fixed. BUSINESS TRENDS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IN 2018 Be Like These Industry Leaders
–Yolofsky Law
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Cover story, continued ... Whole Food Market’s blog, Whole Story, is the perfect model for a blog. Sure, they post about new products and seasonal favorites, but they leaven these product- first posts with lifestyle-based posts like “Growing Healthy Kids Together,”“Supplier Stories,” and tons of recipes. Whole Foods has a huge demographic, but they know that anyone going to the blog is probably interested in health, cooking, and sourcing ingredients. In turn, they create content that speaks to these interests. When you’re creating or updating your blog, ask yourself, “What do customers want to know?” Mix nitty-gritty posts with others that are more lighthearted. You should create a variety of content that hits your demographic and encourages people to come back.
CRUSH IT IN YOUR COMMUNITY LIKE QUICKEN LOANS For 14 consecutive years, Quicken Loans has appeared on Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Places to Work list. What consistently draws top talent to this company? Well, one factor is their focus on improving lives in their community. “We are really on a mission to change the way people look at Detroit and really focus on creating opportunities throughout the city of Detroit for our team members,”VP of business consulting, La Shandra Sartor, says. This synergy of brand and community creates an environment that attracts great employees both locally and nationally. Community involvement shows that you live your values every day.
hand no matter where you’re located. Look for charitable projects that align with your company culture and make a consistent effort to contribute to your surroundings. Customers and employees will take note of the good you do. WORD TO THE WISE: EMULATE BUT ADAPT Looking to successful companies for inspiration is a great starting point, but you have to remember to adapt these best practices. No two businesses are the same, so you can’t expect an exact duplication to work wonders for you. Take the framework of great ideas and tailor them to your particular industry and demographic. These examples are just starting points. Look at some of your favorite companies, isolate one practice they do well, and see how you can apply it to what you do. Start 2018 off on the right foot by setting some ambitious goals for your business. Providing value to your customers, employees, and community will yield big returns throughout the year and beyond.
Now, you might not be big enough to play a huge role in revitalizing a major city, but there are plenty of ways to lend a
Want to See Better Report Cards in 2018?
Make Reading a Family Resolution
Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. NewYear’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018
really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasmwon’t wane come spring. USE READING APPS Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household.
the year your kids become bookworms. MAKE IT A FAMILY RESOLUTION
There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained. SET REWARD MILESTONES Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to
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Hit ‘Download’ AND UNLOCK YOUR FITNESS POTENTIAL
Do all your early morning workout plans blast out of the jet engine when you travel? New time zones and ill-equipped hotel gyms may make you want to put off training. But now, with the internet just a tap away, there’s no excuse to miss a workout. Being away from home doesn’t mean you have to abandon your fitness goals. Check out these apps (most of them are available for free from iTunes or Google Play) and work out wherever your travels take you. FOR THE MARATHON TRAINER If you forget your Fitbit and need to track your miles, Moves has your back. With automatic tracking capabilities and features that tell you how far you’ve walked, cycled, or run, this app will help you stick to your training schedule. It also recognizes and maps routes you’ve run before. FOR THE MEDITATION NEWBIE Wanderlust’s guiding mantra is “Find your true north.”During yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes, Wanderlust instructors can help you focus your energy and restore your physical and mental well-being. Download this app or visit Wanderlust’s website for free classes, Take a Break
like the 21-day yoga challenge, which can keep you disciplined and motivated. Additional workshops and events are available for a small subscription fee. FOR THE FREQUENT FLYER Don’t miss your workout just because you’re away from your home gym. Use Rise Today to locate a class near you. Use filters to search for the type of class you want, from CrossFit to barre workouts. Once you’ve selected a class, you can secure a spot with the in-app reservation feature. There’s no need to fall behind in your Bodypump class. FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T MORNING PEOPLE An app that lets you finish your morning workout in bed? Yes, please! YogaWakeup does exactly what the name suggests: It wakes you up with a short yoga or meditation routine. From“Reach and Root Wakeup” to “Spirit Wakeup,” you can select each morning routine’s intensity. Choose a wakeup, set your wakeup time, and let the gentle voice of your instructor clear away the morning’s inevitable grogginess. Forget breakfast in bed; you’ll feel so much better waking up this way.
PISTACHIO GOJI BERRY
Granola
Want to spruce up your morning yogurt? Top it with this tasty granola. Even better, swap out the dairy for coconut yogurt and enjoy your vegan breakfast.
Ingredients
1/2 cup pistachios, chopped 1/4 cup coconut flakes 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup goji berries
1 cup rolled oats 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon coconut oil 3 tablespoons maple syrup
Directions
cinnamon. Cook slowly until pistachios and coconut flakes are toasted but not burned, for about 5 minutes. 4. Remove from pan and stir in goji berries. 5. Let cool and enjoy as a snack or on top of your yogurt!
1. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add oats in a thin layer and toast for 1–2 minutes. Add coconut oil and salt, then stir. Continue toasting for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. 2. Add maple syrup 1 tablespoon at a time; stir to coat. 3. Once oats are toasted, add pistachios, coconut flakes, and
Recipe inspired by LoveAndLemons.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE FromThe Yolofsky Office PAGE 1 The Best Business Practices for 2018 PAGE 1 The ResolutionThat Leads to Better Grades PAGE 2 Reinvent Your Out-of-TownWorkouts With These Apps PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 Start the Day Right WithThis Granola PAGE 3 The Time Is Right for Nicaragua PAGE 4 After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds thin out after the Christmas rush. If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé Nast Traveler puts it. Whether you’re looking to explore the rainforests surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical wonderland. One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes
Escape to Nicaragua
The Country That Has Something for Everyone
restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves. You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon. The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.
in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous speeds as they teeter and try not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano” T-shirt. If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands. There, you can amble around the small towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid- back seafood
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