I recently attended the National Speakers Association’s annual conference in Orlando, FL, representing the Los Angeles chapter as its current president.
One of my colleagues, Sandra Shrift, described her “take-aways” from the conference. I echo her thoughts:
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Larry Bodine’s entry today talks about one of the most important factors facing American business today … and particularly American law firms seeking to grow.
"Not only are lawyers typically reluctant to market their practices, now we learn that many associates aren’t even interested in becoming a partner or staying in the profession. It’s impossible to market a service that you don’t want to perform."
See the full entry for statistics.
Ed Wesemann, a very able consultant and partner in the legal consulting firm of Edge International, wrote that “…Improving profitability is tough. For most firms, culling small clients represents a relatively easy first step.”
The suggestion that law firms “cull” 10% of their clients each year … or that they “fire” their small clients … rattles my very bones when I hear this. So long as the work being done for clients is profitable or can effectively be used as a training ground for new lawyers, there is reason to continue to retain this business.
Highlights from a recent American Lawyer Media (ALM) survey of law firms in US and Europe that are larger than 600 lawyers:
Highlights of survey results include the following: (more…)
Doctors are faced with the same issues of going paper-less as are lawyers. Electronic Hospital Records (EHRs) are being used by about 15% of the medical profession. One factor causing reluctance to move forward is the high cost of implementing such a system, converting old files and learning how to use the technology.
Does this sound familiar for lawyers?
August 15, 2006
Venice, CA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Law school does not teach lawyers how to effectively interact with clients; law school does not teach lawyers how to efficiently practice law; law school doesn’t teach lawyers how to become good rainmakers or make money! “These skills are learned, if at all, from the ‘School of Hard Knocks!’” according to law practice management coach and consultant, Ed Poll.
Gordon Bava, former managing partner of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, says “…scholars have generally ignored this important sector of our economy (managing a law firm) … Neither law schools nor bar associations offer, let alone require, practice management courses to receive a degree or a license to practice. (More Secrets of the Business of Law®) helps to fill the void.”
Expert Click, the on-line Yearbook of Experts, posted my bio, along with showing several of my books, onto their site.
I’d welcome your feedback.
Do you need expertise in marketing, branding and sales to make your business thrive? That’s what you’ll get at NSA/GLAC Success University — a faculty of 10 Masters/Teachers and 20 additional experts who will help you accelerate your success.
There are four personality styles – What is yours? Why should you care? How does your style impact your client relationships? Gayle N. Carson, President of Carson Research Center tells us why we need to know and why we should care about this issue.
17 minutes, 28 seconds
4.1MB
During a presentation before the Los Angeles chapter of the Legal Marketing Association, Sally Schmidt, a marketing consultant, made the following observations: (more…)