A couple of years ago I wrote an article highlighting the fascinating work of anthropologist and psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar, supporting my view on hype surrounding the importance of the numbers of social media connections. Dunbar’s research into the social interaction
Time For a New Website?
There seems to be a flush of businesses updating websites driven by the ever increasing reality of digital dominance in marketing matters and fear that competitors are stealing a march. Before pressing the panic button and engaging that “oh so
Smartphones – Are They Creating Stupid People?
I’m not the first to write on this topic nor the last but it’s the subject of today’s blog because I feel quite strongly about this growing phenomenon. There are an estimated 1.8 billion of us using smartphones and
Networking Events Notworking? 7 Tips to Make Better Use of Your Time
It’s a damp Wednesday morning and you’ve been asked to attend a “networking” event and presentation at the other side of town. It’s with a group of business people you’ve not met before. The thought doesn’t exactly fill you with
Marketing – Is it really all about the 3 C’s – Content, Content, Content?
Pick up a copy of a business magazine, webinar, SEO whitepaper, workshop agenda or open one of those hundreds of marketing tip e-mails [not all such e-mails are the same of course 🙂 ] and the chances are you’ll not
Business Development – Why You Need to be Thinking LinkedIn
There are no shortage of “top tip” type posts extolling the virtues of marketing you or your business on social media platforms. Many offer useful practical advice and are indeed helpful whilst others appear to offer nothing other than the
Why You Should Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Last week proved to be an example of what life can deliver if you just say “yes” rather than look at the diary and excuse yourself. Like many I have a busy schedule but as you know “busy” doesn’t always
Knowing the Price of Everything and Value of Nothing
Oscar Wilde’s famous quote from his only published novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is one that intrigues me. It can have a number of subtle meanings but within the novel it is specifically relating to the bartering of an
Spinning Plates, Juggling Balls & Shot Selection – How to Create an Effective Marketing Strategy
Devising a successful marketing plan hasn’t always been easy but your options were pretty straightforward. Depending on budget and market your choices were clear and experience along with a good creative agency would go a long way to delivering results.
Marketing – It’s a Dirty Word
I still encounter those who see marketing as at best a necessary evil and at worst a practice of smoke and mirrors with no substance. This unwarranted prejudice is borne out of a lack of understanding of the core principles
Marriage of Convenience or True Love – Law Firm Mergers
What lies behind the sudden increase in solicitors firms merging? Is it a need for personal partner security, succession or future proofing, fear of failing or a strategic move to build a successful business? 2013 has revealed a weekly supply
Think You’re a Thought Leader? Test that belief with 12 tips to thought leadership
“Thought Leadership” now there’s a two word phrase that has emerged through the social channels in the past couple of years. As with any trendy term the bandwagon soon becomes full and chased by those who think they know the
The Trouble with Twitter
Working as I do with professional firms I’m often asked or challenged on the true effectiveness of twitter and other social media platforms. For the purpose of this blog I’ll focus on twitter as it is the most frequently quoted
A Question of Quality, Quantity, Quill-pushers, Quarrels and Quakes
Managing a Law Firm in Uncertain Times My year has so far been a flurry of activity – clients seeking new initiatives to stave off the competition and the search for a bright torch to show the path through the
Read All About It! – The Effective Way to Keep in Touch With Your Customers
We all know it’s logical to keep in regular contact with our customers; it’s so much easier to cross sell services and products to an existing customer than generate a new one and sell to them, but how many of