Assembling the Right Team Critical to Your Business Success
I often tell clients it is important to establish relationships with at least four individuals when they start a business:
- Lawyer
- Accountant
- Banker
- Insurance Agent
But in order to have a starting five we need to add a fifth professional. Who would I add? How about a marketer?
But the real reason I wrote this post was so I could shamelessly plug the best team in Iowa. The Drake Bulldogs basketball team has now moved to 19-1 with a hard fought win over Creighton last night. The 16th-ranked Bulldogs are clutch this year and have found ways to win at the end of the close games. Excellent free throw shooting never hurts and last night was no different. It was a great crowd and great fun. If you get a chance be sure to catch a game this magical season.
It's been a long time Drake fans had this much to cheer about. Go Bulldogs!
Rush,
Marketing is often overlooked or new owners assume that old methods work best (they don't). Doing either is dangerous and easily avoided.
Rush,
You're right on! Too many people have the mindset of "If I build it, they will come". And too often they fail. We believe you must be able to tell your story in an engaging way that is Different, Inviting and Relevant. If you're going to hang that shingle you better have your story and your processes locked in! Thanks for the plug Rush!
By the way, I was also at the Drake game last night and the Knapp Center was rocking! Go Bulldogs!
Cory
Chris, thanks for the comment and the link on your blog. You are absolutely right.
Cory, I believe firmly that if a business fails to develop a marketing plan it better plan to fail. Thanks for your comments.
Rush
Rush, I hear where you're coming from, but I would scratch insurance agent and replace it with a Certified Financial Planner. An insurance agent is a skilled professional at helping you find the right insurance policy but a financial planner all that and more. A CFP has proficency in business planning and retirement planning as well as understanding of the new business financial statements and taxes. Without the designation, how can you be sure the insurance agent you have selected can do the same?
I could not agree more. In my 26 years of practice those four professionals have been cornerstones of my solo practice. I would suggest even if a lawyer didn't hire a publicist or market professional that they plan to spend 4 or more hours per week learning about marketting. Increasing one's marketting intelligence goes along with improving your financial IQ. We are all after the same client pie, which seems in many respects smaller than when I started practicing in 1981. I find spending 3 hours per day on marketting and financial type issues pays off in the long run. While I don't have any one place I go for advice it's out there if you look. And this is a good place to start.
I do like your blawg! And go BullDAWGS!!!!
Drake Law School L81'
Art, I would never diminish the role of a Certified Financial Planner. But when I reference an insurance agent I am looking at more from a liability perspective. A business insurance agent is crucial in determining which policies are necessary to protect your business. But you are right - a CFP should definitely be on the team!
Steve, thanks for the comment. Marketing is important for any business including a law firm. Terrific blog. Keep up the great work.
Rush
Rush, Having left a comment but without a link I thought it better to respond with my own suggestions for lawyer marketing links. Here are a few.
The Legal Marketing Blog.com
http://www.legalprofessionalsmarketing.com/marketing_library.htm - the Marketing Library has blogs to read.
Scorpion Design has a list of lawyer related blogs.
http://www.scorpiondesign.com/LawyerWebDesign.html?gclid=CIXrrcKnqJECFQMsFQodNTRZdQ
The Ultimate Guide for Lawyer Marketing on the Internet
http://www.legalmarketingblog.com/marketing-tips-the-ultimate-guide-for-lawyer-marketing-on-the-internet.html
That's probably more than enough. Nice blawg.
Steve Lombardi