Month: January 2010

January 30, 2010

IPad Will Increase Readership of Online Newspapers, Social Media & Looks Like Good Tool For Lawyers

After watching Steve Jobs unveil the IPad, and with the The New York Times given free air time to promote their website on the new device, I’m convinced that this will ultimately spell the end of many more print publications.

The real question, then, will be: How much can media companies charge for online subscriptions? The Wall Street Journal has been successful for years with the paid model but Newsday.com and many others have not. The New York Times, which recently announced that it will start charging for content, will likely succeed because its website has always done a great job of integrating graphics and digital video stories to compliment a neat layout. The key to the IPad’s success will be affordable and dependable Internet access everywhere, not just in certain spots.

The IPad also seems like a perfect device for litigators in particular, but I haven’t heard yet about its security features — which has prevented many law firms from making the switch from Blackberrys and PC-based systems to IPhones and Macs.

Your thoughts?

January 4, 2010

Lawyers Seeking More Business Can Learn From Gitomer, Brogan & Port in 2010

As law firms start 2010, here are some business development leaders outside the legal world whose knowledge can help partners to increase business in the new year:

Jeffrey Gitomer – a syndicated columnist and author of numerous sales books who truly stands above all the so-called sales experts. His Little Red Book of Selling is the best book on new business that I’ve ever read. And yes, lawyers DO have to “sell” themselves in this new economy, even if they despise the word and the activity itself.

Here’s a sample of Gitomer’s tips on YouTube that can easily be applied to law firm marketing/new business ideas:

Chris Brogan – Part of the dynamic “Trust Agents” duo and co-author of the best selling book by the same title. If you want to understand social media and business and technology, read his book and blog. You might also check out his new business, New Marketing Labs.

Here’s a link to a Brogan speaking engagement at the Web 2.0 Expo from November 2009:

Michael Port – author of the best sellers, Book Yourself Solid and The Think Big Manifesto, and founder of the online network, The Think Big Revolution, as well as Booked Solid University. Michael is the ultimate example of giving value first, building trust, THEN reaping the financial rewards. In his own words, he is the “guy to call when you are tired of thinking small.”

Here’s a video clip from one of Michael’s speaking engagements that summarizes the Book Yourself Solid philosophy.