NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com MARCH 2019 NORTON NEWSLETTER EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
FROM THE DESK OF Bob
THE WILDWORLD OF MARCH MADNESS A L ook at I conic T ournament M oments
Our dog, Sake, is a cream, piebald mini- Dachshund; has short fur; and, of course, is low to the ground. So, when the months get cold, he’s constantly shivering, even in the house. We talked about getting him a sweater in winters past. But this winter has been colder. Recently, I passed a store display of dog sweaters. Most were ugly or goofy, but I found an argyle one that was acceptable and bought it. When I put it on him, he just stood there, not knowing what to do. Then, he walked around trying to shake it off. Eventually, he went on with life and ignored it. Over the next week or so, we took it off of him when it was warmer and put it back on when it got colder. We weren’t sure it was helping him or not. But, he got used to the sweater as it stretched out some to fit him better.
Every spring, millions of Americans fill out March Madness brackets. According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, about 20 percent of workers will fill out a bracket this year, and the drop in productivity during the first week of the NCAA Tournament will cost companies roughly $4 billion. Needless to say, March Madness is a nationwide phenomenon. The tournament’s status can be chalked up to the ease of filling out a bracket and good old- fashioned school pride, but March Madness has also become famous for having the highest occurrence of heart-stopping moments of any major American sporting event. Over the years, we’ve seen Cinderella stories, buzzer beaters, and otherworldly performances. Every year, the tournament serves something unexpected and wonderful. It’s those moments that make March Madness what it is. Here are a few of the most memorable. Author Chuck Klosterman described the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson as “a conflict that dwarfs Dante.”While their battle grew to legendary proportions during their respective NBA careers, Bird and Magic first faced off before either entered the NBA. During the 1978-79 season, Larry Bird led the lowly Indiana State Sycamores to an undefeated regular season record. They stormed through the tournament and met Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans in the final. BIRD VS. MAGIC 1 (1979)
During that time, the sweater went from being a nuisance to being “his.” When Penny tried to take it off one evening, he growled at her, then bit her! Maybe he’ll let us take it off this summer . . . -Bob Norton
Bird managed a double-double in the game, scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but Magic was the stand-out performer and MVP. He finished with 24 points and a title. Over
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KRIS JENKINS FTW (2016)
CHRIS WEBBER’S TIMEOUT (1993)
the ensuing years, Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers would trade shots in an epic tussle for NBA supremacy, but it all started here.
The most stunning moment in recent tournament history came from Villanova’s forward Kris Jenkins and his team. The Philadelphia-area school had not won a title in more than 20 years when they made the championship game in 2016. Their duel with North Carolina in that game was one for the ages — a back-and-forth affair that was tied 74-74 before the final possession. The ball came to Jenkins, who chucked a deep three as time expired, and the buzzer sounded as the ball went through the rim. “When I get it,” Jenkins told reporters after the game, “it’s going up. I always think it’s going in, and this was no different.” It was no different, except for the fact that most shots aren’t destined to be remembered for decades. Which moments from this year will end up leaving an indelible imprint on the sport? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
Michigan’s Fab Five (Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson) are the most famous recruiting class in college basketball history. They transformed the sport by injecting a healthy dose of what we know today as “swag.” After reaching the finals of the tournament as freshmen— an unheard-of achievement at the time — theWolverines were expected to romp to a title in 1993. Everything went according to plan until the final when Chris Webber committed basketball’s most famous blunder. Down by two points with 20 seconds left, Webber secured a rebound and headed up the court. The North Carolina defense smartly used a trap defense to funnel him into the corner. Panicked and out of real estate, Webber signaled for a timeout. The problem was that Michigan didn’t have any. As an automatic technical foul, Webber’s gaffe secured North Carolina’s victory.
N.C. STATE’S LAST-SECOND UPSET (1983)
March Madness is known for underdog stories, and few are more inspirational than N.C. State’s shocking upset of Houston in the 1983 title game. Houston, known as Phi Slamma Jamma for their above-the-rim playstyle, was on a 26-game winning streak and heavily favored to make mincemeat of the Wolfpack. But that’s not what happened. With the game tied and time expiring, N.C. State’s Dereck Whittenburg had the ball near the top of the key. He heaved up a prayer of a shot that came down well short of the basket. However, his teammate Lorenzo Charles caught the ball as if the errant shot were a perfectly placed alley-oop. He slammed the ball, time expired, and the entire stadium went wild. Jim Valvano, N.C. State’s coach, was so overcome that he ran around the court in utter disbelief.
An Inside Job The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags
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 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.
Turns out Punxsutawney Phil has some very naughty cousins — ones who aren’t subject to the law.
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If you’re lucky enough to have been aboard a ship under full sail, chances are you know the thrill and serenity sailing can give you. If you’ve never been but have always wanted to know what it’s like to get out on the wind and waves, there are many great options available for beginners. Here are some ideas to inspire your next waterside vacation. START SMALL For those who dream of becoming a skipper one day, a great way to start is by sailing dinghies. These one-sail, beach-launch boats fit 1–2 people and can be rented at most water sports shops. If you want to make it a family experience, shops usually have 16-foot catamarans for rent as well. Catamarans have two hulls rather than one, making for a smoother, more spacious ride. If you’ve never sailed before, inquire about lessons. Most rental operations have instructors on hand who can show you the ropes. The great thing about sailing is that whether you’re in a 12-foot dinghy or a 60-foot sloop, the same basic principles, rules, and skills apply. TAKE A DAY SAIL Many day-sail charters exist for those who want to go out a little farther than a dinghy would permit. If you’ve captained a boat and are familiar with the waters, you can apply for a bareboat charter. However, if you are Set Sail for Vacation Take Your Next Trip Offshore
inexperienced or simply don’t want a local guide at the helm, signing up for a day trip with a skipper and crew is a great option.
DO A FULL CHARTER Short of owning your own vessel, chartering a boat for multiple nights is the closest you can get to living out your nautical dreams. Some of the most beautiful destinations on earth — from the Caribbean Sea to the Mediterranean — are best experienced from the deck of a sailboat. Letting the sea guide you to amazing snorkeling destinations, remote cays, and bustling harbors is the stuff of real adventure.
Take a Break!
Recipe courtesy of Bon Appétit
BEET, MINT, AND RICOTTA HUMMUS
Ingredients
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1 6-ounce beet (about the size of an adult fist), scrubbed 1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/3 cup tahini, well-mixed 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
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1 garlic clove, grated
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
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1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
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Mint leaves, poppy seeds, and olive oil, for garnish
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F.
4. Once beet is cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to remove beet skin. Trim root end and cut into small pieces. Add to blender or food processor, and blend until entire mixture is smooth. Add additional salt if desired. 5. Transfer to a shallow bowl, top with garnishes, and serve.
2. Wrap beet tightly in foil. On a foil-lined baking sheet, roast wrapped beet until fork tender, about 60–70 minutes. 3. While beet is roasting, blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, ricotta, garlic, salt, pepper, and coriander until smooth.
MARCH MADNESS RAINBOW
IDES OF MARCH IRISH LEPRECHAUN LUCKY
BASKETBALL BRACKET FINAL FOUR GOLD
SHAMROCK ST PATRICK
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Bob PAGE 1 The Best of March Madness PAGE 1 The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags PAGE 2 How to Make Your Sailing Dreams Come True PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Beet, Mint, and Ricotta Hummus PAGE 3 3 Ways to Qualify Your Prospects PAGE 4
ARE YOU QUALIFYING YOUR PROSPECTS? 3 Questions to Ensure You Obtain the Right Clients
closer to that threshold, ask yourself if it’s worth continuing that relationship.
The shotgun lead generation approach is both ineffective and inefficient. For years, businesses put the power of decision-making in the hands of the consumer. Companies chased after any opportunity to put their name in front of a lead, hoping their skills would lead to a conversion. It wasn’t until recently that marketing and lead generation trends flipped the tables. Rather than an organization spraying out strategies across every feasible medium, new tactics implement a more targeted approach to get the right clients. Here are three questions you can ask to qualify your prospects.
DOES THE PROSPECT ALIGNWITH YOUR VALUES?
Youmay attract the right lead, and youmight be able to convert that lead efficiently, but that doesn’t mean they are the right fit for your company. Above all else, a client needs tomatch your core values. Your team is a direct reflection of your company, but so are your clients. By qualifying your prospects effectively, you’ll increase client retention, improve client satisfaction, and create rave followers. Rather than trying to find leads under any rock you can turn over, ask these three questions about each prospect, and you’ll find more success in business.
HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOUWILLING TO SPEND ON A LEAD? Once you understand the type of client you’re looking for, the next step is to designate how much time you’re willing to spend fostering a connection. Just because someone fits what you’re looking for doesn’t mean they are worth the time investment. Some of your ideal prospects will demand excessive time from your team, making the cost of client acquisition even higher. Set a maximum amount of time you’re willing to dedicate to a lead, and as you get
WHAT DOES YOUR IDEAL PROSPECT LOOK LIKE? Rather than taking any client they can get, a smart business owner focuses their attention toward the leads they want. It’s important to focus on candidates in a specific demographic. Doing
business with those who match your requirements will result in happier clients and better relationships.
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