Yak Shaving (All Too Familiar)

Seth Godin offers a great illustration of the term, "yak shaving". This should be especially insightful reading for anyone that believes in decisions through committees, that there can never be enough check points for projects, or have the need to "be on top of everything."

There are few mistakes that can't be undone, especially in marketing, but to have done nothing at all is a mistake that has no fix.

The Billable Hour is a Marketing Problem

At managingthebusinessoflaw.com Richard Hall has republished his article, "The "Billable Hour" - History of a Problem". In the article Richard looks at both the history of the billable hour and the not so great side effects of this now entrenched practice.

The billable hour IS a marketing problem because it is a constant ding on trust. We have all experienced knowing we could do something so much faster than someone else. That feeling is so much a part of us we cannot escape it. And, we also know how we've used time, or misused it.

A perfect example: Send a child to clean his/her room and the time it takes is exactly proportionate to how much time before the child's next "big thing" is on the horizon (a TV show, meeting with friends, going skating, etc.).

As marketers we constantly have to be aware of this little ding in trust that lurks in the one-to-one relationship between a partner and the client.

I think Richard is right. There must be a better way, and it cannot come by adjusting or tinkering with what is already in place. I think it will take an entirely new partnership, formed and modeled around a new way of pricing for services. The answer is out there. I'm looking for it. What about you?

Technorati Tags: legal marketing, marketing, business networking, public relations

Understanding the Parts of Relationship Networking

We all know there is a decided difference between marketing strategy and marketing tactics. Pretty important stuff if you hope to have an impact. It is equally important to know the difference between the things we do or use to create business relationship opportunities and what we do to maintain the relationships we actually have.

Over at CommunityGuy.com, Jake writes an interesting parallel column on building “community”. His point rather simple. Bringing a lot of people together in the same space does not a community make. Community can only happen once people are interacting, sharing, and relating to the other people around themselves.

The same hold true in business relationships. You can shake a lot hands, swap cards, laugh over cocktails, or play golf until your arms can swing no more. Real relationships develop over time with consistent attention and effort. As you read Jake’s column just put the words, “relationship network” in place of, “community”.

Something for Law Firm Marketers to Ponder

What is the brand you create just by continuing to do business "the way we always have"? The answer may feel good in your wallet but will put a ding in your ego.

Law Firm Marketing Essentials

I like a writer that cuts throught the hype and reminds us of the most important things.

Is This How You'd Like to Be Treated?

Seth Godin posted a short rant on how companies take advantage of the good will of their customers to save a buck or two. It's really worth thinking about. What are you doing at your firm that demonstrates an indifference to the feelings of your clients? Better yet, what are you making your clients deal with that you would never stand for yourself?

Succeeding in a Commodity Marketplace

Jeff Thull at MarketingProfs.com pens a sound column on overcoming the challenge of offering services in a commoditized marketplace.