<b>Sales and Service Strategies</b> Establishing a Key Client Sales Initiative
July 31, 2006
We at <i>MLF</i> are pleased to announce this new bi-monthly column featuring knowledge and information about sales and service excellence tips and tools, and thank LSSO for contributing authors and content.<br>We begin with guidelines for establishing the firm's major client sales initiative for success.
Additional 2006 Tax Tips and Insights
July 27, 2006
following excerpts provide useful additional information on the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, signed into law on May 17, 2006.
Federal Tax Planning and Compliance Update
July 27, 2006
Compared with the significant tax legislation of the prior several years, both 2005 and 2006 (to date) have been relatively quiet in terms of legislative changes impacting taxpayers generally ' and law firms and attorneys in particular.
Short-Term Costs of Retiring a Defined Benefit Pension Plan
July 27, 2006
Jane Austen observed, in Sense and Sensibility, that 'people always live forever when there is an annuity to be paid them.' Increasingly, private employers with defined benefit (DB) pension plans that are designed to distribute benefits as annuities are adopting Ms. Austen's view.
<b><i>Focus: Canada</b></i> Law Firm Marketing in Canada
June 29, 2006
By many accounts, the leading Canadian law firms have moved from reluctant marketers undertaking a few traditional tactics, to become law firms with a heightened focus toward strategic business development. It is noticeable how many firms have painstakingly sought out the right senior talent, bringing marketing and business development expertise to lead the effort of growing the business and building competitive advantage. Equally as many firms have engaged the services of agencies and marketing consultants to enhance profile and build brands. As a result, we find the majority of firms have dropped ineffective marketing or business development committees, leaving management of the department and activities to the senior marketing professionals. There remains a group of law firms in the country, however, whose prime marketing goal is largely communications, and whose marketing orientation has not yet matured to more tangible, client focussed and measurable priorities.
Technology Conversions: More Than Just Software
June 29, 2006
A recent asset finance industry conference I attended showcased the new generation of technology platforms being introduced to the market. Most of the presentations to the inquisitive audience focused on the pure functionality of the various software programs ' their capabilities and limitations.
Provisions of the New Tax Law
June 29, 2006
The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (the Act) was signed into law on May 17, 2006 by President Bush. The new law affects a wide variety of taxpayers, including individuals and corporations. It contains $90 billion in tax benefits that retroactively extend a number of existing tax credits and provide several new tax breaks. It also contains $20 billion in new revenue-raising legislation, thereby resulting in $70 billion in net tax cuts. This article discusses some key provisions contained in the Act that will affect attorneys, their firms and their employees.
The Bad News Is, You Have a 401(k) Plan
June 29, 2006
The good news is your firm has a contributory retirement plan and you are a participant. The bad news is that to manage your money, control much of your retirement destiny and thus the future financial welfare of you and your family, your firm has placed this responsibility in the hands of someone who is almost certainly clueless about such matters.<br>That person is you.
