E & O in the New Corporate Environment
May 01, 2003
Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage protects policyholders in various professional occupations — such as the legal, medical, architectural, engineering, insurance, and accounting fields — against professional liability claims. This form of insurance, sometimes referred to as professional liability or malpractice insurance, covers economic damages resulting from an error, omission, or negligent act related to the rendering of professional services.
Know Your Billing Software!
April 01, 2003
Attorneys in larger firms don't have to worry if the bills get out the door each month, if suppliers are paid on time, or if the general ledger is balanced. The administrator and "back office" staff take care of this.
Not Just the Next Abbreviation: With CRM, They Got it Right
April 01, 2003
Over the course of the past 20 years, professional services firms have jumped on the abbreviation bandwagon with a succession of emerging management trends, only to disembark once they discover that the latest three-letter trend doesn't deliver the results they were hoping for. What most firms don't realize is that these trendy MBA or "management by abbreviation" tools ' including total quality management (TQM), management by objectives (MBO), and now, client relationship management (CRM) ' are best viewed simply as ways to operationalize common sense.
CRM Conversion: A View From The Inside
April 01, 2003
Experts today say that "good CRM programs aren't for every firm," according to Jayne Navarre, Chief Marketing Officer for Indianapolis-based, Bingham McHale LLP. "If there's a culture in the firm that's really averse to sharing data, or the way the firm goes about getting new business is very individual-oriented, then you need to decide if the firm is actually ready for it." Navarre, who's doing the footwork to convert a second firm to CRM, should know.
On The Job: Furthering Your Career Starts with Your Resume
April 01, 2003
Finding the next step in your career path can be the hardest job you ever tackle. If you are not currently working in a firm with a large marketing function and staff, the chances are you can only advance by leaving.
How To Get Published: Giving Editors What They Need Is Key To Success
April 01, 2003
When a lawyer writes an article, he or she has to interact with the editor of the publication in which it is going to be printed. The better the relationship between the editor and the author, the more likely the process is going to flow smoothly for both. The relationship can be improved when you - or attorneys in your firm - understand what editors provide, recognize that editors are paid professionals with a lot to do every day, and treat them with respect from the initial discussion through publication of the article.
Ask The Coach
April 01, 2003
This month's question:<BR>Q: I struggle to find time to market and sell. With billables, committee assignments, supervisory duties, etc., it seems like the week is over and I'm asking, "why didn't I get out in the game this week?" How can I make time to sell?
Warning: Research Dollars At Risk!
April 01, 2003
Before the clinical trials are run, before the Food and Drug Administration approves, before hope is held out to millions of patients, new drugs start with scientists asking elemental questions about human life. Now, the pipeline that leads from their laboratories through drug development to the FDA may be shut off at the source.
Microsoft SharePoint for the Legal Industry?
April 01, 2003
I am sure that everyone knows the name Microsoft. I am guessing that many of you, however, are not familiar with Microsoft's portal product "SharePoint." SharePoint presents an interesting opportunity for two reasons. First, it is a Microsoft product and chances are that your IT infrastructure and policies embrace Microsoft technology. Second, SharePoint is a relatively inexpensive portal solution. Okay, I know what you are thinking, another article about legal portals and how they will reduce your costs to nothing and increase your revenue by 2000%. I hope to provide something different here. The purpose of this article is to share my experiences working with SharePoint and provide some insight in how it can be used strategically in your law firm or law department.
Planning A Web Site With Some Punch
April 01, 2003
Law firm Web sites have largely converged toward a "standard model" that presents a few implicitly agreed-upon subjects. Consider the analogy to newspapers: Consensus has been achieved that the logical way to organize them is national news, opinion, local news, business, sports, lifestyle, etc. Within this consensus, tremendous variety in paper stock, layout, color, writing style and so forth can all thrive, but the "bone structure" is agreed upon.