Law practice tips, tools and trade secrets. http://www.cba.org/practicelink http://www.cba.org/cba/PracticeLink/images/logorss.gif http://www.cba.org/practicelink This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use. The 2008 ABA TECHSHOW served up a bevy of valuable tips for forward-thinking lawyers, including two dedicated tracks for solo and small firms. Here are 10 of the best tidbits of useful information discovered by this TECHSHOW attendee. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/281022459/techshowtips2008.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/tips/techshowtips2008.aspx Outsourcing is a fundamental business strategy that allows individuals and organizations to focus on what they are best at, without diluting those capabilities by pursuing other, less productive areas. Outsourcing can benefit all sides in the legal service equation, but the key is to understand the value and convey it to the client. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/276243817/outsourcing.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/WWP/outsourcing.aspx A growing number of lawyers have discovered personal coaching as a highly effective way to improve their careers. Since the key elements of a lawyer’s career are uniquely individual, it makes sense that individual, tailored coaching is the most effective route to get there quickly. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/276243818/coaching3.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/WWP/coaching3.aspx Tips to solidify the lawyer-reporter relationship in order to leverage the media and gain exposure for your practice. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/276243819/newsresource.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/tips/newsresource.aspx If your revenues from a given client are less than the costs to service that client in lawyer and staff compensation, your law firm is like an athlete exercising in hot weather. Lawyers often see only the the cash “hydration” of revenue and not the dehydration that dissipates cash faster than the money comes in. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/263530283/cashcomp.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/MF/cashcomp.aspx Lawyers ask constantly what single investment they can make to help grow their practice and our answer is always the same: invest in a first class creative website and pay attention to search engine optimization (SEO). Read on to find out how to develop a law firm website that really helps your bottom line. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/263530284/abcseo.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/tayp/abcseo.aspx You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression on potential clients. Make it a positive one with a focused and interesting elevator speech. Read on for tips and sample speeches to help you craft your message. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/254513862/30second.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/MT/30second.aspx The roles within the marketing and business department in a law firm can vary, but each is focused on profitability. Do you have sufficient marketing staff to advance to the next stage in your business? Have you satisfied requests for marketing support? If not, it's likely time to build up your team. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/254513863/forensic.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/MT/forensic.aspx The successful solo practice truly requires a team—even if that is just you and one assistant to whom you can delegate work that doesn’t require your skill and personal attention. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/254513864/secrets3.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/MF/secrets3.aspx Meet business development, marketing's brash young cousin. Here’s what you need to know about the newcomer to the legal scene. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/254513865/marketing.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/PracticeLink/national/marketing.aspx Want to reach the YouTube generation? Take it online. The legal sector is slowly beginning to take advantage of streaming media to recruit the current crop of law school students. In Canada, McInnes Cooper was one of the first firms to take the plunge. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/254513866/retention.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/PracticeLink/national/retention.aspx You see your competition on the six o'clock news being described as a leading legal expert. You say to yourself, 'I could do that. Why didn't the reporter call me?' It's likely because they don't know you exist. This article will help lawyers gain the media’s attention effectively—without having to hire a high-priced public relations firm. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/241540554/media.aspx http://www.cba.org/CBA/PracticeLink/podcasts/media.aspx The successful solo practice truly requires a team -- even if that is just you and one assistant to whom you can delegate work that doesn't require your skill and personal attention. The principle is to delegate 'down' to the lowest level of competence you can. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/233359856/clients2-0.aspx http://www.cba.org/cba/PracticeLink/cs/clients2-0.aspx Here are some ideas to help you accurately capture both the quantity and quality of your billable time and get paid; adopt and adapt those that you think will work for you. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/241540555/capturingtime.aspx http://www.cba.org/CBA/PracticeLink/TAYP/capturingtime.aspx The search for new clients is no substitute for the care, feeding and development of a firm's relationship with its current client pool. It is that pool that represents the biggest opportunity at any given time. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CBAPracticeLink/~3/241540556/ninetimes.aspx http://www.cba.org/CBA/PracticeLink/MT/ninetimes.aspx