the WestWay blog
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
New Maija West Consulting Offerings
We are offering a new service to our clients in 2022 to meaningfully respond to issues raised by the great resignation. According to Gallup, the cost of replacing a key employee can range from one-half [...]
Using Curiosity to Transform Defensiveness
How understanding our personal biopsychology of defensiveness can help support us in building a culture of curiosity and learning in our workplace. "Practice listening to understand instead of listening to respond." - Nedra Tawwab [...]
Realistic Timelines
How implementing a workplan for projects can help create realistic timelines, to reduce the sense of urgency experienced by many Companies. A common issue that many companies struggle with is a continued sense of [...]
Perfectionism
How acknowledgment, gratitude and letting go can help build a culture of appreciation, instead of perfectionism. For many business owners, take a minute to recognize that it took time, energy, costs and likely tears, to [...]
Reflections on Our Resources from 2020
New Year’s Reflections As we embark on this new year, it is important to take a moment to pause and reflect on all that was learned in 2020. I encourage you to take a moment [...]
Generosity
Generosity Especially this year, are you giving your team the benefit of the doubt that they are “trustworthy?” You extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others. -- Brené [...]
Non-judgment
As leaders, asking for help by delegating to our team is one of the most powerful ways we can can convey our trust, and cultivate an environment of nonjudgment. I can ask for what I [...]
Integrity
Key performance indicators and calendars are two tools that a forward-thinking leader can use to ensure their organization walks the talk. You choose courage over comfort. You choose what is right over what is fun, [...]
Vault: Can you trust yourself to hold the information of others in confidence?
Can you trust yourself to hold the information of others in confidence? You don’t share information or experiences that are not yours to share. I need to know that my confidences are kept, and that [...]
Reliability. Having a reliable team starts with you.
You do what you say you will do. At work, this means staying aware of your competencies and limitations, so you don’t over promise and are able to deliver on commitments and balance competing priorities. [...]
Boundaries in the workplace
Swiss cheese vs. the steel wall “You respect my boundaries, and when you’re not clear about what’s okay or not okay, you ask. You’re willing to say no.” -- Brené Brown* One of the questions [...]
Leading with influence- How to make stress work for you so that you can influentially lead your team
Leading with influence How to make stress work for you so that you can influentially lead your team. Being a visionary leader takes more than having good ideas that meet market demand and the financing [...]
Legal Coaching as a Preventative Law Tool
Q: What does legal coaching have to do with the law? A: We offer a service called legal coaching to meet the fast-moving needs of our entrepreneurial clients while helping them keep ahead of emerging [...]
How do you start, maintain and end contracts, with a foundation of trust in mind?
What is a contract? It is an agreement based on terms meant to reinforce a relationship built on trust. I have had the distinct pleasure of getting to help many entrepreneurs launch, maneuver and grow [...]
Business Succession Planning for the Entrepreneur Starts with a Strong Foundation
This is a shout out to all those lovely entrepreneurs out there who have spent their lives building and creating one of those beautiful businesses that are humming and thriving along, providing meaningful jobs for [...]
Interview with 8-year-old Aryana Hernandez
At our law office, we are committed to supporting our clients as leaders, in addition to providing them with needed legal guidance. We have found that leaders can be less effective if they are surrounded [...]
What does culture have to do with workplace performance?
What emerging research teaches us about workplace culture change. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” - Peter Drucker If you are one of our clients or collaborators, or even if you have stumbled upon this post [...]
The 3 a.m. Wake-up Call
What the concept of “preventative law” has to do with a good night’s sleep Many of my clients have confided that they have been plagued by consistently waking up at three o’clock in the morning. [...]
The Neuroscience of Belonging
The benefit of diverse perspectives for the best return for your company I am finding that in today’s political, social and economic climate, companies need to ensure that their workplace culture has a sustaining and [...]
Shift your habits, shift your company
It is no secret that our law office is unconventional. In fact, our preventative law philosophy to business concepts includes many unconventional tools. This month, we have been really focused on the magic of habit [...]
Differentiating yourself as a Forward-Thinking Leader
Making strong business decisions in changing times- what does 2019 have in store? Through my work, I am constantly reminded of the important need for business owners to stay nimble and responsive in changing times. [...]
An update on the new employment laws
Every February, I like to provide our clients and referral partners with an update on some of the new employment laws that may be relevant to our clients. One such law that should be on [...]
What Does #MeToo Mean for Monterey Business?
What Does #MeToo Mean for Monterey Business? Please join Maija West of the Law Office of Maija West and Chris Panetta of Fenton & Keller for a facilitated discussion for business owners and executive management [...]
A Cautionary Tale and Due Diligence Lesson-Learning from Theranos
In the wake of the implosion of Theranos, one of Silicon Valley’s “unicorn” companies promising a revolution in blood testing, hindsight seems to be twenty-twenty. Theranos was valued at approximately $9 billion, founded and led [...]
The Benefit of B Corps
Many companies are interested in incorporating a social or environmental purpose into their company’s goals, and the B Corp designation can be a great option. Additionally, B Corps can be a great alternative to non-profit [...]
Top 10 Employment Law Mistakes
California businesses need to be cautious when considering how to cut personnel costs. Since many business costs are fixed, expenses related to human resources sometimes present a tempting area in which to find savings. However, [...]
Non-Profit Mission Switch Kit
We live in unprecedented times. The world we live in is changing rapidly, both through massive cultural changes and through environmental crises of a kind not witnessed by previous generations. If you lead a non-profit, [...]
Top 3 Tips for Taking Care of Your Tech-Self in Estate Planning
1. Virtual Money Matters What ARE your digital assets? These include any money you hold in online-only accounts, like PayPal, Kindle or iTunes. Oh, and don’t forget your Bitcoins and/or WOW (World of WarCraft) holdings! Personal [...]
Preventative Law 101
What is “preventative law” or “preventive law” and why is it important to Moxie Lab and our clients? Preventive law is a philosophy of law practice that involves forecasting and anticipating legal issues. It is the basis of [...]
The (Estate Planning) Talk – Top 5 Tips
1. Plan Ahead Giving fair time and energy to your estate plan is like giving fair time and energy to your life, as well as your loved ones. You’re doing this to make an important, [...]
Top 7 Wealth Steps
1. Wage earning NOT wealth building? Don’t just earn, but make your money earn for you…whether it’s a house, a business, stocks, bonds or a savings account – do it and do it, as soon [...]
Top 10 Resolutions or ‘Reminders’ for 2015
Be healthy – personally and professionally. Manage your assets, cut your costs, and don’t forget to plan ahead. What do you want in the next few months, years, or the rest of your life? How [...]
Top 5 Estate-Planning Mistakes Made by Celebrities, and NOT YOU
Learn from these costly goofs and protect what you love! 1. NO WILL: The best way to ensure your wishes are not carried out. Whatever the size of your estate (one cat or closer to the biggest [...]
New Estate Planning Workshop in Chester this July!
I am thrilled to announce the first annual estate planning workshop in Chester, CA on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 from 5-7 pm! Details: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 5-7 pm (Best Western Rose Quartz Inn, Chester, [...]
The One Thing Non-Profits Frequently Forget…
It is common for non-profits to be lax about their corporate and tax compliance requirements, as well as other regulations that are specific to their mission statement. But one of the most common mistakes of [...]
Family Estate Planning: A New Year’s Resolution Special
amily Estate Planning: A New Year’s Special – What is your New Year’s Resolution? The Law Office of Maija West is offering a New Year’s Resolution special through January 31, 2014. Whether you already have an [...]
Covered California: Obamacare and What it Means for You
As the deadline approaches to sign up for health care coverage under Obamacare, more people are asking- what is it and what does it mean for me? With Obamacare’s implementation in the news each day, [...]
Comfort Care in Estate Planning
In the course of my practice, I find that most people put off making end of life decisions until it is too late. These decisions involve big choices such as hospice preferences and decisions regarding [...]
Get Your Internet House In order
How do you make sure that your virtual content is cared for by the people you leave behind? Most people know that they need a will to pass on their specific physical possessions, but few [...]
What Happens To Your Company If Something Happens To You?
The alternative title to this article is “Do you have a plan, Sam?” This is for all my small business owner readers out there-you know who you are! You are thinking you are too busy [...]
Do You Need An Estate Plan?
Many people believe that estate planning is for those living within a higher income bracket. To be sure, estate planning can be that. But for many, especially those who are less worried about tax consequences, [...]
What Is Your Business Plan For 2013?
How are you going to make your 2013 plans a reality? For those of you who are business owners or managers who have plans to implement in 2013, you know how hard it can be [...]
Challenges In The Workplace – When Is Enough, Enough?
Today I was having lunch with an old colleague and he was sharing a story about an office he had worked in that was so dysfunctional that it made it challenging to get his daily [...]
What Should A Homeowner Do If They Are Facing Foreclosure?
While assisting a client with foreclosure or a loan modification, I find that each homeowner’s situation in unique. My advice for those considering a loan modification or facing foreclosure is to familiarize themselves with all [...]
Partnerships 101: Is Starting A Business With A Friend A Good Idea?
Starting a business with a friend can lead to a strong partnership where each person contributes their own unique skills and knowledge creating the perfect combination for a successful business. This balance is what made [...]
Small Business Owners Can Use Risk Assessments To Give Them Peace Of Mind
I just had a thought today. All small business owners must cross the first hurdle of getting their business license and making sure to pay their taxes when they first launch. But many businesses never [...]
Guide Distributed To Northern California Rural Communities
Last year, I wrote a guide on the reuse of former lumber mill sites which was distributed to logging towns throughout northern California. Writing this guide was an amazing process as I met many decision [...]