Yolofsky Law - December 2020

Yolofsky Law - December 2020

Insider MARCH 2020 The first sign of the end of the 2020 is upon us. No, that’s not meant to invoke thoughts of dire consequences. (We can agree there’s been enough From the Yolofsky Office THE HERO (305) 702-8250 | www.yolofskylaw.com

Making You a Hero to Your Family and Business DECEMBER 2020

Do you have a plan for how to bring your company together for the holidays? For the last few months, I’ve been mulling over the best way to celebrate the season with my team. In a normal year, I wouldn’t stress out about this. There are all kinds of tried-and-true team activities out there, like ugly sweater contests, cookie bake-offs, and company dinners at local restaurants. We’ve done these before, and I always feel like it brings us closer as a team and as friends. This year, though, I don’t think getting together physically will be a popular idea. Some of my employees have high-risk family members at home, and the last thing any of us want is to be stuck in quarantine for Christmas. At the same time, I don’t want to miss a prime opportunity to build camaraderie over the holidays — something that’s both more important and harder to come by than ever right now. Studies show that a “sense of belonging” in the workplace (something I like to build with Christmas cookies!) can help people stick together in a crisis and even increase company revenue. According to the Harvard Business Review, one BetterUp study found that, “High belonging was linked to a whopping 56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and a 75% reduction in sick days.” What employer doesn’t want that? Unfortunately, recent research has also found that the pandemic is negatively impacting workplace culture nationwide. So, what’s an entrepreneur to do? I decided to buckle down and find a way to celebrate the holidays with my team virtually. Here are five great team-building options I came across. Feel free to steal one for your own Christmas celebration! 5 WAYS TO BRING YOUR OFFICE TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS Without Risking Illness

of those.) Instead, it’s time to start considering how the year will end for you and your business. As I write this, there are only about 30 working days left in 2020. With the winter holidays just around the corner, and the new year not far behind, it’s the right time to work on your planning to wind up this year and begin 2021 on a good note. Yes, this year has been one of challenges (putting it mildly), but we are better for it. Nothing is ever perfect. The ideal time to rededicate yourself to success is now. There is no waiting as life does not wait for us. If we squander away our time, it’s gone. Yet, how many people wish for an extra hour in the day? What would you do with it?

Clock’s ticking ... your move!

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1. Party it up over Zoom . This is the most obvious option: a straight-up Zoom party that’s all play and no work. Team members can compete to create the best holiday Zoom background and try on funny filters together. If you want to be really generous, you might even consider sending out grocery store gift cards or snack baskets so that your team can enjoy company- funded treats. The downside of this option is that it doesn’t work well for big teams — it’s best if everyone can fit on one Zoom screen. 2. Arrange a recipe swap. If you can’t have a bake-off in person, encourage your team members to submit their favorite holiday recipes in a group chat, then share photos of anything they make! Everyone needs to eat, pandemic or no pandemic, and holiday dishes are always crowd pleasers. 3. Collaborate on a holiday playlist. Some people hate Christmas music, but there’s no doubt that it sets the mood. You can create camaraderie with your team by inviting everyone to submit their favorite holiday songs and then build a company playlist on Spotify or YouTube for your whole crew to enjoy.

4. Organize a virtual Secret Santa. Did you know that there’s a free online Secret Santa generator that can round up your team, draw names, and even host a wish list? It’s called Elfster.com, and it could be a lifesaver for you this season.

5. Host a long-distance movie night. Thanks to platforms like Kast and Kosmi, you can invite your whole office to a movie night in the comfort of their own homes. Kast, for example, will let up to 100 people watch a film simultaneously. Additionally, both services work with any streaming platform, so the world of classic Christmas movies is your oyster! If you want to get fancy, send out a selection of popcorn to your employees ahead of time.

I got some of these ideas from OfficeNinjas.com, and it’s a great resource if you’re looking for more tips! I hope that whatever option you choose, you make sure to do something with your team this year. We could all use a bit more cheer in our lives right now.

Wishing you happy holidays!

3 NEW GAMES TO ENTERTAIN YOU THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS Snowed In for Christmas? It’s Board Game Time!

Jungle Book,” this is the board game for you! The Alpha is a beautifully illustrated strategic game where players act as pack leaders and compete with other players to acquire territory and snag the best food. Gameplay is done in rounds that include four stages: stalk, chase, resolve, and advance. The game is rated for 3–6 players ages 10 and up.

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the games are so delightful …”

Those might not be the exact lyrics from the famous Christmas carol, but it’s true that decks of cards and various board games get many families through the holiday season. You can only rewatch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” so many times before the jokes grow stale. While new movie releases can be fun, many have been stalled this year because of the pandemic. Luckily, board games are still coming out on schedule. If you’re on the hunt for alternatives to Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, check out these fresh 2020 games, which all come recommended by the experts at Thrillist. 1. THE ALPHA: A NATURE LOVER’S DREAM GAME If your childhood dream was joining a wolf pack like Mowgli in “The

pedigree! Everyone 12 and over will want a seat at the table. 3. GETCREWD: A PLAYGROUND FOR MOVIE BUFFS This card game comes in a retro- style film can, and that single trait speaks volumes. In this PG-13-rated game, you play a film producer in search of the perfect actor, director, and crew to make your movie happen. However, the deck will keep throwing obstacles in your way, including everything from flash floods to writers’ strikes. If you have a competitive side, you’ll love this mad scramble to the finish line.

2. HALF TRUTH: BRILLIANT MINDS MEET HERE

If you’re a fan of Trivial Pursuit, you’ll love Half Truth. At its heart, it’s a trivia game, but it ups the stakes by giving players the opportunity to bet on how many correct answers they’ll get. Really though, there’s only one thing you need to know about this game, and Thrillist said it best: “It’s the brainchild of legendary Magic: The Gathering creator Richard

Garfield and 74-time Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings.” What a

With these games in your cabinet, you won’t even notice the snowbanks outside!

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3 GIFT-GIVING TIPS That Won’t Kill Your Savings

exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend!

gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it! SET A BUDGET — AND STICK TO IT. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.

Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!

THINK BEYOND STORE-BOUGHT OR EXPENSIVE ITEMS.

Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These

It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.

CHECK YOUR LIST —TWICE! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the

Take a Break

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider! Festive Apple Cider

Ingredients

• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

Directions 1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe.

2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours.

CAROL CHEER COCOA FAMILY

GIFT HOLIDAY

SHOVEL SLEDDING SNOW TURQUOISE

3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

HOLLY PEACE

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Yolofsky Office PAGE 1 5 Ways to Safely Bring Your Office Together for the Holidays PAGE 1 3 New Board Games to Try This Winter PAGE 2 3 Fool-Proof Ways to Pay for the Holidays Without Going Broke PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 Festive Apple Cider PAGE 3 Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog PAGE 4

Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog

Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety. “The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it’s all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told TODAY when the world found out about Kismet. Garrett’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held.

It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and

psychiatrist or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.” Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too!

his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals.

Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure.

Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a

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