INVISIBLE MARKETING II.
June 24, 2008
INVISIBLE MARKETING II. Last column we startged discussing "permission marketing" by recognizing opportunities given to you by clients and prospects for future client generation. This time we will add two more business development openings. "WHAT'S NEW?", when asked by a past contact or by a good client, opens the way to talk about: * A recent firm success * An highly regarded article written by a colleague * Or asking if they have heard about a…
INVISIBLE MARKETING I.
June 09, 2008
INVISIBLE MARKETING I. is a comcept requiring a sharp eye and ear. It is a component of "permission marketing" where a client or prospect provide you with an opportunity to sell to them. For example, we all know that great work and referrals are the 2 best sources of future business development. But complaints, yes complaints, are another great source of business by building a strong relationship. If a client calls with a problem in…
Helping Associates Build Marketing Skills
May 29, 2008
The first priority of a young lawyer is to develop knowledge and skills as a lawyer, but there are actions you can take as a partner to help guide associates in the right direction for preliminary client development activities. New clients take time to ripen, but the seeds need to be planted early and watered often. The following are some things you can do to place associates on the right path.
Making It Run Isn't Running It
May 29, 2008
It's not uncommon for many partners in charge of marketing to insist on designing the marketing program, and directing the marketing manager to execute it. In too many firms, reasonably high-paid and experienced marketing professionals are directed by marketing partners with no marketing skills, no marketing experience, and no foundation for their projects. This is not only disastrous, but also expensive and wasteful.
Fifth Circuit Affirms Lanham Act and Antitrust Judgment for Franchisor
May 29, 2008
In <i>Schlotzsky's Ltd. v. Sterling Purchasing and National Dist-ribution Co., Inc. ("Sterling")</i>, 502 F.3d 393 (5th Cir. 2008), the Fifth Circuit reinforced the tough standard for proving an antitrust tying claim against a franchisor and clarified the broad scope of the Lanham Act's unfair competition provision. The decision is important for franchisors defending claims of market power.
IFA Legal Symposium Tackles Wide Range of Issues
May 29, 2008
Rarely has the International Franchise Association ('IFA') Legal Symposium, come at a busier time for the franchise industry, as a wide range of legal and business issues are generating change at a rapid rate. The conference, which was held on May 12-13 in Washington, DC, addressed everything from green business practices to new disclosure regulations, and the protection of marks on the Internet to states' efforts to expand their ability to tax franchise activity.
He Who Steals My Trash Pays Cash?
May 29, 2008
In this rather odd sentencing case, the Eighth Circuit trashed the restitution order that had been imposed by the District Court for the District of North Dakota on janitorial supervisor James A. Chalupnik. <i>United States v. Chalupnik,</i> 2008 WL 268997 (8th Cir. Feb. 1, 2008). Here's a discussion of the case.
The Marital Residence
May 29, 2008
Crucial to any division of the marital residence (or other assets) is an understanding of the tax consequences attendant thereto. Unfortunately, relevant tax issues are at times not addressed by the parties or the court, resulting in further litigation over the allocation of tax debt.
Dressing Your e-Business Up for Success
May 28, 2008
Asking an e-commerce entrepreneur whether he or she knows what the business looks like may seem silly. After all ' doesn't it seem a given that no one can run a business, whether an e-commerce venture or a traditional bricks-and-mortar storefront operation, without knowing its basic financial information, especially cash flows, receivables and payables, and the balance sheet?
