11/5/12 I just got back from giving a talk in Merced, CA for the State Bar and one of the things I learned while doing research for a presentation on Ethics in Social Media was that Facebook postings are discoverable evidence and carry with them a possible spoliation of evidence if destroyed. This comes about when an attorney finds that his or her client has posted something harmful or obnoxious on the client’s site and tells them to remove it.
An attorney in Virginia was sanctioned and disbarred for instructing a client to take off a picture of himself a year after his wife’s wrongful death which showed him with a can of beer and a tee shirt which read “I (heart) hot moms”. Oh yes, he had a garter around his head. Loss of consortium damages going down…..
So your task this week is to review all your cases to make sure that you have done a notice to produce for all electronic evidence where it is applicable because this rule runs to all parties….and maybe check your own Facebook page for, oh, you know what!
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Have you tried the foot pointing trick yet?
10/29/12 Have you tried the foot pointing trick yet? There is another networking idea I’d like to share this week. When you enter a room full of people, look it over and pick one person you would like to talk to. Have a conversation with that person and give and get business cards. However, when you give the person your business card give them one of those square, wrapped chocolate pieces. As we said before, sweet things make a lasting memory and it is simply a nice thing to do.
caveat: Try not to eat them all before you have a chance to give them away.
I was just at a Women’s Rainmaker Convention for lawyers in Tahoe and I learned a fun little idea I’d like to share.
10/22/12 I was just at a Women’s Rainmaker Convention for lawyers in Tahoe and I learned a fun little idea I’d like to share. We were discussing how difficult it is to interrupt a small of people who are talking at an event. How do you know you will be welcomed? This often causes an awkward moment for both you and the group.
The idea is to look at the group’s feet. If they are all pointing towards each other, then forget it. They are not going to welcome you into their group. However, if their feet are pointing in different directions, sometimes away from the group or to the side, then hop right in with “mind if I join you”. Try to restrain yourself from saying “I noticed your feet were pointing sideways, and therefore you won’t mind if I join you”.
I tried this already once, and it worked….. Keep up the good work.
A very little task this week. Look around your office.
10/15/12 A very little task this week. Look around your office. Is it inviting for clients and colleagues to visit. Is there a dish of hard candies (individually wrapped/ no chocolate, it goes too fast) in evidence? Do you offer water or if possible, coffee or tea? Tests have shown that offering something sweet makes a person feel cared for, which is what you are going to do.
Is the place where you see them clean? is it uncluttered?
I remember once walking into an attorney’s office that was so piled up with papers it look like it should have been on the Hoarders Show on TV. No place to sit and no filing cabinets.
Last, always walk your guest to the elevator or door or to their car if it is close by. This is too often forgotten by the ego driven lawyer who can’t wait to get rid of a client or guest. Unfortunately, the client or guest gets the hint….UGH…..
Back to WORK. Is there one thing you can think of that would make your business easier, more profitable, or more satisfying?
10/8/12 Back to WORK. Is there one thing you can think of that would make your business easier, more profitable, or more satisfying? It may be something as simple as calling an old client, taking a new legal friend to lunch, firing your secretary or having a heart to heart talk with your boss.
Identify one small activity you can do this week to further that goal.
Write what you will do this week down in your calendar in BIG Letters. Look at it every morning and then take a little action to get start getting it done.
Remember, eat the elephant one bite at a time…..
OK, OK, so I missed last week.
10/1/12 OK, OK, so I missed last week. You could have used that time to catch up on some of the other hints that you haven’t gotten done!!! UGH, so many coulds and shoulds in our lives.
So this week just plan and do something totally pleasurable. Get a massage, go to the beach, take your kids to the zoo, have a date with your partner or just spend a half of a day reading the latest best seller. JK Rawlings’ book is different and interesting. Let me know what you think.
We’ll be back to focusing on how to increase your practice next week……
It’s almost Autumn. Did you do one good thing for yourself last week?
9/17/12 It’s almost Autumn. Did you do one good thing for yourself last week? If not, try again this week. If you are having trouble doing this or something else in your life ( that you know you SHOULD be doing) begin to think about identifying the reason behind why you are not following through. Is it laziness? boredom? fear? too busy? or something else?
Start with a real examination of what is holding you back. Be brutally honest ( no one else has to know) and I’ll be giving more hints as how to get good habits to replace bad habits…..and having more fun and time for yourself while doing that. Have a GREAT week.
OK, today is the day you are going to make a plan to do one good thing for your health this week
9/10/12 OK, today is the day you are going to make a plan to do one good thing for your health this week. Is that to exercise one more time per week? Cut down on desserts? Make a doctor’s appointment for a check up? Take the kids to the zoo? Take your partner to a special dinner? (yes that’s part of health too) or have a massage?
Write whatever you decide down in big letters and post it on the side of your computer. Then do it!
I have been reading a book about HABITS and will be sharing some of that information with you soon. Good Luck and Good Lawyering !!!
It’s Labor Day. So a small task today.
9/3/12 It’s Labor Day. So a small task today. Getting back to Linkedin, look on your contacts list in Outlook or whatever you keep it(please, not on a rolodex!). Hopefully you will have an “A”list, who are people who definately will refer to you and visa versa. Pick three names off that list and put them into Lindedin’s Quick Search. If they are also on Linkedin, connect with them. Be sure that you then note that connection on your contacts list. Mark them in your calendar to give each one a 10 minute phone call in the next month. Tell them something new you are doing or ask them what they have been up to. I guarantee success with this approach.
This is the week to have lunch or coffee with someone you haven’t seen or talked with in more than 6 months.
8/27/12 Do one more task before getting back to Linkedin. This is the week to have lunch or coffee with someone you haven’t seen or talked with in more than 6 months. Look at your A contact list and pick 2 people. See which one you can have lunch with. If both say yes, maybe put them together and have lunch with both. That way you get a free lunch…..get it? If not, email me for the answer…