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April 2009
Dear Friends,
This month’s issue focuses on clarity. To be a great leader, or a great parent, or even just to get through the day in a sane and productive manner requires clarity – clarity about your priorities, your abilities, and your commitments.
If you are interested in improving your time management skills, be sure to read about the Top Six List. It is one of my favorite organizational tools and one that I use every day. This month’s featured article addresses business development, with an emphasis on using personal strengths and clear communication. Finally, check out the “Learning from Lawyers” article in which Deborah Hines writes about the “Golden Hour” after a personal injury occurs.
This newsletter is coming to you because you are a client, friend, acquaintance or you somehow ended up in my address book. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please click on the link at the bottom to unsubscribe.
With love and joy,
Anna |
“There is nothing as mysterious as something clearly seen”
Robert Frost |
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You can’t do everything. No one can. It is the illusion that we can (and should) do everything which prevents us from prioritizing and actually taking the actions that are most important. This tool from Accomplishment Coaching allows you to replace an endless to-do list with a focused list of priorities. Each day, take out a clean sheet of paper and create a Top Six List of your highest priorities for the day. It’s important to limit the list to six. Less important errands or phone calls can be jotted down at the bottom of the page. Then, plan your day hour-by-hour and include items from the list. As you move through your day, if you find yourself avoiding the top priority items, go ahead and do some of those less important items. Having gained momentum, you are in a better position to focus on your real priorities. Do not automatically carry over items from one day to the next. Priorities may have shifted, so start from scratch each day and make a new Top Six List. |
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With the current wackiness of the economy, it is easy to get caught up in the drama and accept prevailing ideas about what is and is not possible. But when you get clear about where you stand and what you do have control over, you are in a much better position to take advantage of business development opportunities. I invite you to focus on the following:
Do What You Do Best. Get clear about your own strengths and interests. Experts can provide valuable information, but as you strive to expand your business development, don’t forget that you know yourself far better than they do. Make a list of things that you enjoy and plan accordingly. If you enjoy socializing, focus on developing your network through coffee or lunch dates. If you enjoy staying up to speed on industry news, send relevant articles to people in your network. If you enjoy organizing, plan an event for your professional organization. There are many avenues to success, and if you chose one that builds on your strengths, you will reach your goals much more quickly and easily.
Communicate Clearly With Existing Clients. Developing a large book of business is as much about maintaining existing clients as it is about getting new clients. Communication and personality issues are cited by one third of in-house counsel as a reason for terminating relationships with outside counsel. (See the Association of Corporate Counsel Serengeti Survey, 2008.) In order to effectively address client concerns, you have to know (not just guess) what your clients care about. Talk to your clients and find out how they think you could improve the services you provide. Even if you disagree and choose not follow a suggestion, knowing where the client is coming from will allow you to address the underlying issues and strengthen the relationship. Even if clients say that everything you are doing is perfect, they will appreciate that you asked; and in the future, they will be more likely to communicate about any upsets or concerns.
Take Extraordinary Care of Your Existing Clients (After All, They Are Your Best Source for Referrals). You care about doing a great job for your clients and helping them to succeed; but if you are not in regular communication, all your hard work and commitment may not be clear to them. Clients frequently complain that attorneys are not sufficiently responsive. If you call clients before they call you it lets them know that they are a priority and that you really are on top of their case. Doing occasional favors for clients is another way to let them know that you are thinking of them and have their best interests in mind. For example, you might offer to look over a document for free. If clients mention a need, try to provide resources to help them fill that need, such as a recommendation for a banker, accountant, business consultant, acupuncturist, etc. Make introductions to people who may be able to do business together or help each other. Or just send a birthday card. These things show that you care and that you see them as more than just a source of cash.
If you would like to explore any of these topics further, feel free to contact us for a complementary sample session. |
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By Deborah Hines*
Most people will be involved in at least one automobile accident causing injury over the course of their lifetime. If you are involved in an accident, you may have one “Golden Hour” to gather all relevant information to protect your rights. After an hour, cars may be moved, the driver and or passengers may not recall important details and witnesses may leave.
- 1. If you or anyone else is injured, seek medical help right away. At least within 24 hours, go to the emergency room or to your personal physician.
- You should also:
- Call the police and ask for a written accident report. Obtain the police officer(s) names, phone number and badge numbers;
- Try not to move the cars until the police arrive, unless of course, the cars impede traffic;
- Write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses;
- Ask for other drivers’ names, addresses and insurance information;
- Write down all cars’ tag numbers; and
- Advise your insurance company.
- If injured, consult with an attorney regarding your legal rights and options.
* Deborah Hines is an attorney licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Her practice centers on serious personal injury matters involving automobile accidents, defective products causing injury and medical malpractice. Her website is www.dkhineslaw.com. Her E-mail address is: dkhines@aol.com. Her new blog will launch in May @ www.Legalspeaks.com
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If you are an attorney and would like to market yourself, please write a brief article (150-200 words), on an area of the law that would be interesting or useful to small business owners or attorneys, and email it along with a brief description of your practice to anna@excellerationcoaching.com. |
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Anna Rappaport, Esq. has been coaching professionals since 1999, and now specializes in leadership development for attorneys. She works with clients to help them manage staff, partners and clients more effectively; create and stay on track with career and business goals; expand business development and maintain a sustainable work-life balance. Anna’s clients are already highly accomplished people who are interested in achieving even greater success and satisfaction. Anna’s one-on-one coaching takes place by phone, and she works with clients across the country. Anna is based in the Washington, DC area.
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