Clues From a Coach

It's never too late to meet your business development goals. Even as you approach the end of a year, don't underestimate the opportunities that the holiday season brings. If you have been waiting for an excuse to reach out to a contact or previous client, it is actually the perfect time.

Do you have an active presence on social media? While the knee-jerk belief can be that one is "too busy" or "focused only on practicing law," the reality is that social media is one of the best and most efficient ways to remain in the minds of past, present and potential future clients.

Meetings. Conference calls. Emergency requests. Non-emergency requests pretending to be emergency requests. Our days often feel like an endless stream of frantic events, and we hop from one task to another (or sometimes juggling more than one task at a time) in an effort to get things completed.

One of the ways we, your coaches, can help you is by helping you leverage the internal resources that are available but often not to their fullest extent - or sometimes, overlooked altogether.

Developing business requires money. It just does. Whether it is directly or indirectly through time or firm resources, there is always an associated cost. Be thoughtful about managing those costs.

Want to provide your clients with exceptional client service? Consider your favorite places to shop or best service providers. What do they do that makes your experience a positive one?

Just as we wish to assist you with mapping your path to success, you can (and should) do the same for your clients.

First impressions are lasting impressions. It is for this reason that we all need to ensure that our first impressions are positive and intentional.

Say “thank you” to your clients!

Knowing what your clients' biggest challenges or worries are isn't rocket science - or it doesn't have to be.

Being good at your job isn't always enough to feel completely satisfied in your career. What do you enjoy doing each day? Which aspects of your career excite you? Which tasks or challenges drive you into the office each day?

Each new year, month and even week brings a fresh calendar (more or less). Take 15 minutes this week to calendar important tasks that easily get brushed aside when schedules get busy.

At the end of each year, 'tis the season for countless parties. Time to gather with friends, colleagues, clients and others who are (or can become) a valuable part of your network. Are you prepared?

Often during the Thanksgiving season, we may overlook the obvious: Say "thank you" to your clients! This is something we should be doing year-round, but if often gets brushed aside in favor of something more pressing.

Your personal brand has a big impact on the clients you bring in (or don't bring in). What is your current brand?

Communication: a pillar of good relationships, both professionally and personally. Good communication is critical for building and maintaining trust, and for continually cultivating the connections made with current or potential clients. How are your communications skills?

Enhancing personal productivity is a challenge at all stages of your career, let alone in your personal life. How you spend your time will evolve and develop as your life hits milestones.

Sometimes we focus so much on what we should be doing to grow, learn and improve that it's so easy to forget what we shouldn't be doing.

During this time of timid business re-openings, it is important to not allow your focus and attention to be dominated by the minutia of running a business.

One of the best ways to grow your business is to add value and build trust. Despite being limited by stay-at-home orders and quarantines, it is still possible to be actively pursuing both.

April generally brings warmer weather and an anxiousness for more activity outside the office. Current events, however, keep us from being able to scratch this itch. Consider other ways you can “get out” and “see people” (your clients, in particular) more often.

What kind of connections are you forming with your clients and potential clients?

Do your clients know that you appreciate the fact that they chose you over any other attorney they could have worked with? Have they been told how grateful you are for trusting you to help walk them through a difficult process, figure out a complex matter or advise them on the best course(s) of action?

Whether you like it or not, your clients and prospects are typing your name into their favorite search engine to learn what they can prior to hiring you. What will they find?

Despite the time of year, did you know there are already people and companies planning for the upcoming holiday season? It always creeps up on us quickly!

Because we are willing to bet you haven't in a while, it may be time to go through and update your contacts.

Communication, particularly quick and timely communication, can make all the difference to your client and their business.