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.
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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.