The Power of Digital Media

Why Relying on Spell Checker is Dangerous

Those of us that blog, tweet and make general use of social media are often in a hurry to publish our posts. Some of us use spell checker to avoid egregious spelling error. But an e-mail I received this morning is a good reminder of why relying on spell checker alone can get you into trouble. You need to reread your posts before you hit "publish". Apparently, these were all taken from synagogue bulletins and newsletter. Enjoy! It's Friday!

1. Don't let worry kill you. Let your synagogue help. Join us for our Oneg after services. Prayer and medication to follow. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our congregation.

2. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

3. We are pleased to announce the birth of David Weiss, the sin of Rabbi and Mrs. Abe Weiss.

4. Thursday at, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club.

All women wishing to become Little Mothers please see the rabbi in his private study.

5. The ladies of Hadassah have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the basement on Tuesdays.

6. A bean supper will be held Wednesday evening in the community center.

Music will follow.

7. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the JCC. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

8. Rabbi is on vacation. Massages can be given to his secretary.

9. Goldblum will be entering the hospital this week for testes.

10. The Men's Club is warmly invited to the Oneg hosted by Hadassah.

Refreshments will be served for a nominal feel.

11. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Rob, who are preparing for the girth of their first=2 0child.

12. We are taking up a collection to defray the cost of the new carpet in the sanctuary. All those wishing to do something on the carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.

13. If you enjoy sinning, the choir is looking for you!

14. The Associate Rabbi unveiled the synagogue's new fundraising campaign slogan this week: "I Upped My Pledge. Up Yours."

Overcoming Adversity

That's the key to real career success. Success is not a straight path to the top. That in today's Career Journal.

How is the Downturn Effecting More Senior Lawyers

Hear yours truly interviewed on the Legal Talk Network.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Partners

Actually it's 8; but doing excellent work is presumed and not counted on the list by this author.

I'm sure many equity partners fall far short in following these tips. These are all aspects of managing and building a business and obviously each lawyer brings a different strength to the table (aside from his or her practice expertise); but if you consider them aspirational, it's a good road map for success (i.e. pay for yourself, pay for someone else, cross sell, develop associates and staff, play nice, help manage the firm, represent the firm in the community).

At the end of the article, this author suggests that non-equity partner should not be a long term status (at least not for a large number of attorneys). He suggests that allowing non-equity ranks to get too large creates the perception that there is a log jam for advancement at the firm. It may even breed resentment (non-equity partners who don't believe they are being recognized enough and equity partners who don't think the non-equity partners are carrying enough weight).

I'm not sure I agree with this analysis. Other businesses have figured out how to segment senior staff into ownership and non-ownership categories. The whole work/life balance movement presumes that different professionals have different priorities in life (but that doesn't mean that non-owners can't make an important and substantial contribution to the firm's bottom line).

Acing the Phone Interview

Phone interviews used to be a perfunctory way to throw softball questions at prospective candidates before bringing them in for a "real" interview. But according to the WSJ, increasingly, phone interviews are becoming much more rigorous as companies seek to cut down on travel costs. The advice from the WSJ: be prepared! Do as much preparation for a phone interview as you would for an in person interview.

Phone interviews present unique challenges as well. When you are in person, you have the benefit of seeing the non-verbal reactions of the interviewer. This can provide you with important feedback so that you can fine tune your next answer. It is easier to gauge if you have spoken for an appropriate length of time when you have some visual cues (e.g. if you see a yawn forming or if you observe that the interviewer is looking at his or her watch, that's a good sign that it's time to stop talking and ask a question yourself).

Successful phone interviews also require you to be extra vigilant about avoiding distractions. Checking your blackberry is an obvious no-no during a live interview. But it is also a bad idea when you are on the phone. So is eating, being in a room where kids may run in and interrupt or surfing the internet.

I have given interviewing tips in the past where my main message is "be a great listener" (though these were written long before Web 2.0 began to play a major role in the way we communicate with friends and colleagues.) In a phone interview, the challenge of being a great listener is that much greater. Being distracted by electronic media is likely to influence your performance for the worse.

On a phone interview, be extra cautious about going on for too long. It is very important to ask follow up questions yourself before you respond to an interviewer. With no verbal cues, it is the only way you get any sense of what the interviewer is thinking.

Think Like a Lawyer-Bill Like a Consultant

How can lawyers get themselves away from the dreaded billable hour? By adopting billing methods that have long been standard in the consulting industry. See my post on the Middle Office.

Advice for Summer Associates

My latest article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

A Plug...for Me

In general, I don't think it is a good idea to use a blog to sell your services (at least not overtly). If you blog regularly and provide good content, readers will see that you are knowledgeable about your subject area and that you are ready, willing and able to share your wisdom. Self promotion on a blog will turn readers away.

On the other hand, an occasional plug is generally acceptable. After all, even if you are good at what you do, it doesn't mean that the world even knows what you do.

So if you are interested in learning how to market your law practice more effectively and would like to find out how coaching can help, here is a description of how it works. I've worked with several coaches myself over the years and I believe that it is an invaluable service.

Sign up for three months of coaching by June 30th and I will throw in a free month. It's a great time to position yourself for the turnaround. You probably have more time on your hands so you might as well use it productively. You can reach me by e-mail at legal@seckler.com if you have questions. Phone is fine as well (617-244-3234).

Time to Get Serious About Marketing

A marketing consultant says that in these times, lawyers should spend at least 3 hours a week on marketing activities. But what if you can't figure out how to spend those three hours most effectively? Hire a coach. That's what Jim Hassett suggests.

When hiring a coach, make sure you find someone who you feel you can work with. Do you want a drill sergeant? A cheerleader? A strategist? An individual who shares your values? For more on coaching click here.