http://lifeatthebar.com/blog Attorney development coaching for associates and partners Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:14:31 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Click here to listen to today's message.  (4 min, 40 sec) I took this photo of Oregon Trail ruts near Guernsey, Wyoming.  On this section of the trail, appropriately known as Deep Rut Hill, the route deviated away from the river and went over sandstone hills.  The wagons spread out to ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/09/01/when-the-view-never-changes/ You've put in your dues. You've worked hard to become the accomplished lawyer you are now, and you have all manner of credentials that demonstrate your expertise.  You've worked with a variety of organizations and individuals, you've written articles and book chapters, and you may even have served a turn ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/24/i-did-the-work-now-what/ http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/18/tip-from-the-trail/ Last week, I visited the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming. This multimedia-focused tourist/educational center presented stories about the emigrant trails that passed through Wyoming:  the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Mormon Trail.  The primary focus was on life on the trails, of course, but the ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/06/the-rainmakers-trail/ Last week, I talked with a client who was distressed at having to pay about $1,000 for some equipment necessary for making a presentation to a group of her ideal clients.  After listening for a few minutes and confirming my expectation that she'd be able to use the equipment over ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/19/cost-vs-investment-making-wise-decisions-on-new-opportunities/ The Go-Giver (Bob Burg and John David Mann) and The Referral of a Lifetime (Tim Templeton) I've never reviewed two books in a single review before, but these two are such neat parallels in both style and message that I just can't resist the temptation.  The message of both of these short, quick ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/12/will-you-give-to-grow/ Over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed that some lawyers are making mistakes that will undermine their efforts.  These mistakes go beyond the five foundational business development efforts decsribed in The Reluctant Rainmaker that are so insidious.  These are short-sighted decisions that may seem smart in the short-run but ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/04/21/marketing-donts/ Sway:  The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman Nobody likes to lose.  With our self-selection to be competitive and to be risk-averse, lawyers perhaps tolerate loss even less than others.  According to the Brafman brothers, authors of Sway:  The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, the more meaningful ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/04/14/sway/ April Showers Bring May Flowers Becoming an effective networker is mission critical to growing and sustaining your practice.  Business development is not typically a "quick fix" activity; you can't expect to meet someone today and get new business from that person tomorrow.  (Exceptions do, of course, exist -- but don't count ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/04/07/rainmaker-renaissance/ Take Control of The Wine List Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach® Imagine this -- You are seated at an upscale restaurant with one of your best clients and then handed a wine list thicker than a college textbook.  You want to pick out the "perfect" wine to impress your client but everything ... http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2010/03/31/lessons-from-a-sommelier/