If ever there was an unexpected treasure hidden behind a plain exterior, this is it! Anyone who has lived in Richardson, Texas as long as I have will remember the building on Campbell and Nantucket as the original Sterlings catalog store. After that, it was offices. Recessed off Campbell, is a nondescript building, except for the fact that there are now huge letters on the front that say Classic Cars, Banquet Rooms and NTX. Chloe is 1 year old now and I am charged with the divine duty of teaching her how to find her balance and courage. I am able to show her that it's OK to dance and walk at the same time. Dad is 65 and as the oldest daughter, I am also teaching him how to walk. They are not much different really. One has been exposed to the storms of life and withered them like a champion. The other is just starting to learn about the ups and downs of living.

Not only were the fads up in the air in the seventies, so were the headline news. In 1971, the 26th Amendment was passed allowing a U.S. citizen to be able to vote at age 18. In 1974, President Nixon resigned from office as the Watergate scandal unfolds. In 1975, President Ford announces war in Vietnam was finished as far as the U.S. was concerned. And Space became the "New Frontier". In 1972, Pioneer 10 lifted off to journey past Jupiter. In 1973, Skylab was launched by NASA. And in 1976, the Viking I landed on Mars. Boy, times were changing fast, just as Bob Dylan had predicted. visit this website Technology has solved the time problem. From your home you can find a dealer, a car, fill out the paper work and haggle over the price. All you have to do is punch a few keys on your computer. Since Jay Leno took over the hosting duties at "The Tonight Show", he has earned another nickname-"The King of Late Night." So, how much money does the king earn? Another little known fact about Jay Leno is that his annual salary is reported to be a cool $17,000,000, according to Forbes. If your firm were a car what would it be? Strong and tough like a buy truck volvo? Sleek and fast like a Ferrari? Sophisticated and state-of-the-art like a Mercedes S-Class? How about an ice cream flavor? A beverage? A movie genre? All of these exercises not only make for a lively discussion, but work to help define your firm personality. Once that emerges, look for ways to incorporate it in your firm's daily business- from answering the phones to your letterhead. It may be a word, a symbol or a motto but having a message can do more to keep attorneys on the same page than almost anything else. Decide what your message and is and stick to it, whether it be stamping your symbol on letters and emails or boldly displaying your firm mantra on the company website. Repetition will help attorneys stay on message and clients recognize your presence. Outdoor Bob, needed a truck to go to work. Linda went with Bob to the local Ford dealer and bought a new Ford pickup. Linda had the credit so the loan was in her name. About six months later, Bob started to stop off on Friday at the local saloon to cash his paycheck. Sure enough, there was a dart board there and a few of the guys started tossing darts for beers. Bob was pretty good and they invited him to be on the local dart team. Remember: be prepared, have an agenda and keep focused on the discussion at hand. Involve everyone from partners to associates to staff and keep an open mind to marketing ideas, plans and needs. But most of all... make it a true priority to institute those strategies when the retreat ends.