August 12, 2011 nº 1,078 - Vol. 9


"Many a man who thinks to found a home discovers that he has merely opened a tavern for his friends."

George Norman Douglas

In today's Law Firm Marketing, How to overcome two costly excuses prospects make.

_____________

Read Migalhas LatinoAmérica in Spanish every Tuesday and Thursday. Visit the website at www.migalhas.com/latinoamerica

_____________

  • Top News

Class action lawsuit accuses Apple, major publishers of collusion

A class action lawsuit filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California alleges that Apple and five major publishers colluded to illegally fix electronic book (e-book) prices. The complaint alleges that Apple and publishing companies, including HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster, conspired to increase e-book prices in an effort to compete with e-books and the economically-priced Kindle sold by Amazon. Apple's incentive to collude, the complaint contends, was to increase its distribution of digital media using the Kindle as a platform. The complaint alleges that the agreement occurred sometime before January 2010 when a majority of the publishers announced a shift in their pricing models and Apple simultaneously released the iPad. As a result of the unlawful agreement, Amazon was forced to abandon its discount pricing and adhere to a new agency model, thereby causing e-book prices to increase by 30 to 50%. The lawsuit claims that the defendants' conduct constitutes violations of federal and state antitrust laws, the Sherman Act, the Cartwright Act and the Unfair Competition Act.

EU Heads for Eurobond Clash Over Fiscal Union

European ratification of a reinforced crisis-management fund will act as a prelude to an even more divisive debate: whether to put more money into the pool and use it to borrow on behalf of all 17 euro states. The question of "eurobonds" or "fiscal union" -- toxic language in northern countries like Germany -- will force itself onto the agenda once the retooled rescue fund is in place as soon as next month. The trigger will be a European Commission feasibility study of jointly sold eurobonds, seen by a growing number of economists as the only way of guaranteeing to the markets that countries such as Italy won't go bust. Unprecedented bailouts by governments and the European Central Bank have so far failed to stamp out the crisis that is menacing the region's core members. "No single currency has ever survived without some form of debt mutualization; there's an increasing recognition that that is the only way of stabilizing the euro zone."

For Wall Street, T.G.I.F.?

After a wild week, stock markets around the world appear to have calmed down. In the United States, stock futures are pointing to a flat opening.

Visit our new 'Magic Eye' page and boost your career

Migalhas International, with the support of executive search firms, brings the best career and professional development opportunities to its readers. We call this service the "Magic Eye". Click here to go to our special webpage and find your next lease on life.

  • Crumbs

1 - Brazil's drug dealers use Amy Winehouse's image to sell cocaine - click here.

2 - 'Twilight' actor Kiowa Gordon released from jail Wednesday - click here.

3 - Facebook to close U.S. prison inmate accounts - click here.

4 - George Soros sued by ex-girlfriend for reneging on real estate promise - click here.

5 - Judge orders family to remove chickens - click here.

6 - Apple blocks Samsung's Galaxy tablet in EU - click here.

7 - Johnson & Johnson reaches agreement with U.S. on Risperdal criminal charge - click here.

_____________

100% Migalhas: www.migalhas.com

_____________

  • MiMIC Journal

Chinese authorities find 22 fake Apple stores

A total of 22 fake stores using Apple's brand and logo have been uncovered in the Chinese city of Kunming. Authorities began searching out the copycats after pictures of one convincing replica were circulated on the web. Describing it as a "beautiful ripoff", BirdAbroad revealed how far the owners had gone to copy the decor and ambience of a real Apple store. Staff also wore the same colour T-shirts as real Apple staffers, and sported lanyards of the same design. It is not clear whether the shops being reprimanded were selling legitimate Apple products or those bought on the grey market. The shops have been told to stop using the logos as Chinese laws prohibit copying the "look and feel" of another company without permission.

China trade surplus jumps in July

China's trade surplus surges 41% in July as exports gather pace despite concerns of a slowdown in the global economy.

  •  Law Firm Marketing

How to overcome two costly excuses prospects make

by Trey Ryder

Why do clients and prospects make excuses? And what do those excuses mean?

The excuses you regularly hear are really symptoms of other problems:

Excuse #1: "Too expensive." Prospects don't appreciate the value of what you're offering, choosing to focus on price instead. (Also, "too expensive," if true, could mean you're reaching the wrong audience; you should redirect your message so you reach qualified prospects.)

Excuse #2: "Too busy." Prospects don't understand the importance of what you're offering, so they ignore your suggestions and claim they're too busy.

The purpose of a competent marketing message is to make sure prospects understand the depth of their problem -- and the solutions you can provide. When you hear excuses, they demonstrate the failure of your marketing message. Obviously, you're trying to reach people who don't appreciate the depth of their problem -- and the importance of solving it NOW!

Part of the issue is Credibility. When prospects trust you, they are more likely to follow your advice. So another problem is that your marketing program does not establish a high enough level of trust for prospects to do what you suggest.

Part of the issue is Importance. Prospects must understand the terrible problems they will create if they don't act soon.

Part of the issue is Urgency. Motivating people to take action is hard. Motivating them to take action AND write a check is even harder.

Part of the issue is Convenience. Over the past year, I've carefully watched marketers in all types of businesses. Those who achieve the greatest marketing success are those who make their message and their services very convenient for their prospects. Convenience is hugely important, especially in a world where no one has enough time.

For your marketing program to succeed, it must do all these things:

  • Firmly establish your prospect's legal problem and its importance

  • Offer solutions that only you can provide

  • Prove that paying money to you is not a high cost -- but, instead, an essential and good investment -- in fact, the best investment they will ever make

  • Clearly point out what people lose by not hiring you now!

Your marketing message must be air tight, without any holes. And you need effective ways to deliver your message to your prospects.

For marketing success, your marketing program must deliver a competent message that puts everything in the right perspective.

---

© Trey Ryder

FREE LAWYER MARKETING ALERT: If you'd like to receive Trey Ryder's weekly Lawyer Marketing Alert, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Write "Subscribe LMA" in the subject line and write your name and e-mail address in the body of the message.

_____________

Tell your friends and colleagues you've read it in Migalhas International

_____________

  • Historia Verdadera

Coca-cola

La empresa colombiana de cíticos Proexport y Coca-Cola se alistan para promover en todo el mundo las frutas exóticas colombianas a través de los jugos que hace la compañía. Estados Unidos y Europa, son los primeros mercados a los que pretende llegar las nuevas ofertas de la multinacional. Según el gerente de Asuntos Públicos de Coca-Cola, Marco Llinás, actualmente los alimentos funcionales tienen buena acogida, de ahí el interés en promover frutas que cuentan con valores agregados.

(Presione aquí)

Embargo

En una decisión que favorece a los fondos especulativos -más conocidos como fondos buitres- el juez de la Corte del Distrito Sur de Manhattan, en Nueva York, Thomas Griesa, trabó el jueves un embargo contra cualquier activo del Estado argentino por US$ 801,4 mlls., en el Citibank y en la Reserva Federal de Nueva York.

Adhesión

El Consejo de Ministros de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración -Aladi- reunido en Uruguay aprobó el jueves la adhesión de Nicaragua al organismo, lo que le abre la puerta para ser en un futuro miembro pleno.

  • Brief News

SEC says will fix whistleblower rule if any problems

As the controversial new law takes effect, the SEC is prepared to make changes if any unintended problems cropped up.

Ivory Coast president's forces continuing extrajudicial killings

A representative for the UN MINUCI - Mission in the Ivory Coast confirmed that forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara are continuing to kill civilians and opposition members in his name, with 26 killings reported between July 11 and August 10. There were also 85 arbitrary detentions by members of the FRCI - Republican Forces of Ivory Coast reported. Both the UN and rights groups have alleged that Outtara's forces have continued the violence of the post-election civil war, even after Ouattara took power. Although Ouattara has insisted that all those responsible for war crimes will be prosecuted, none of his supporters has been charged or arrested. On Wednesday, the son of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo, Michel Gbagbo, and 12 other Gbagbo allies were charged with committing acts of post-election violence. With the arrest of his son and the 12 others, all Gbagbo's political allies have been charged except for him and his wife.

Egypt moves to end state of emergency

Egypt's interim government, the Cabinet of Ministers decided at Thursday's meeting to begin measures to end Egypt's state of emergency that has been in effect for nearly 30 years. The Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced in March that it would lift the state of emergency, but until now, nothing else had been discussed on the matter. Due to what many perceive as the government's inactivity, if not abuse of power, protests have continued.

German etiquette group targets workplace kissing

A society in Germany, which advises on etiquette and social behavior, has called for kissing to be banned in the workplace. The Knigge Society says the practice of greeting colleagues and business partners with a kiss on the cheek is uncomfortable for many Germans. The society has received concerned emails from workers on the issue. It advises people in the workplace to stick to the traditional handshake.

Rights group calls for justice system reform in DRC

AI - Amnesty International called Wednesday for justice system reform in the DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo. The report states that the justice system has allowed the Congolese army and other armed groups to engage in a "cycle of violence and human rights violations for decades," alleging that the groups have engaged in torture, sexual violence and murder against citizens and that very few perpetrators have been brought to justice. AI called upon the DRC to prosecute all suspects under "international fair trial standards."

Pennsylvania judge sentenced to 28 years in juvenile sentencing scandal

A Pennsylvania judge was sentenced Wednesday to 28 years in prison for his participation in a juvenile sentencing scandal. Mark Ciavarella Jr., a former judge in Pennsylvania's Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, was accused of receiving nearly $1m in kickbacks for sentencing teenagers to two private juvenile detention facilities in which he had a financial interest. A jury in the US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania reached a split decision in April in Ciavarella's corruption trial, convicting him of 12 counts, including racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy, and acquitting him of 27 counts, including extortion. In a sentencing memorandum filed Monday, Ciavarella's attorneys urged the court to be lenient, pointing to, among other factors, the jury acquittals, Ciavarella's lack of criminal history and the original plea offer containing an 87-month sentence.

Wal-Mart explores bid for Carrefour in Brazil

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, is exploring a bid for Carrefour SA's Brazilian stores to help bolster its scale in Latin America. A word of caution: there are no current talks and Wal-Mart has not contacted the French retailer.

Anheuser profits from price rises

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, reports a rise in profits as price rises help to offset falling sales in the US.

Four EU nations ban short-selling

France, Italy, Spain and Belgium ban short-selling on the shares of banks and other financial companies after market turmoil. If the ban on short-selling some eurozone banks is viewed as a panicky measure, then conventional investors in those banks - and their creditors - will feel under greater pressure to remove their financial support.

Greek union vows law suits against privatization

Greece's powerful main civil servants union on Thursday vowed to file law suits against the Socialist government over a euro50 billion privatization program, describing it as an act of "national treason," "We will use all means at our disposal to, of course, hopefully overturn the government, but mainly to file law suits against those who sign these (privatization) agreements."

Japan plans landmark renewable-energy law

Japan's parliament is set to approve a landmark bill on renewable energy as a way to reduce the nation's dependence on nuclear power following the worst nuclear plant accident in the country's history, and which would break the monopoly of the 10 major utilities. The final passage of the bill, which aims to bolster investment in renewable energy, is expected by the end of the month. Ironically, it paves the way for the highly unpopular Prime Minister Kan to step down. Its main feature is a requirement that utilities purchase power from outside providers such as private companies or cooperatives under certain circumstances. This is seen as opening the door for much greater use of renewable energy, an area where Japan lags, accounting for just 9% of total supply. But big manufacturers, already hurt by power shortages and the effects of the high yen on exports, will face higher electricity bills as a result.

U.S. Chamber Of Commerce battles anti-bribery statute

More than three decades after the United States Congress passed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act -- striking a major blow against international corruption by criminalizing bribes to foreign officials -- the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is trying to carve out some major exceptions in the law to prevent prosecutors from enforcing it too aggressively. The move by the increasingly activist Chamber has led critics to fear there may be no checks left on the corporate lobby's ambition -- or its influence.

Google jumps into online-law business with Rocket Lawyer

Traditional lawyers may not like it, but venture capitalists are pouring money into one of the last industries to resist commoditization on the Web. Google Ventures today announced it is part of a group that infused $18.5m into Rocket Lawyer, which bills itself as the "fastest growing online legal service." The firm has 70,000 users a day and has doubled revenue for four years straight to more than $10m this year. Rocket Lawyer provides online legal forms, from wills to Delaware certificates of incorporation, that non-lawyers can fill out and store and share on the Web. For $19.95 a month, consumers can also have their documents reviewed by a real lawyer and even get legal advice at no additional cost. The model is similar to those pre-paid legal services that have generated controversy over the years, but with Google technology in the background. Documents are stored, Google Docs fashion, on Rocket Lawyer's servers and can be edited and passed around before the consumer prints them out to be filed at the nearest courthouse. The multibillion-legal industry would seem to be a natural for disintermediation, or in layman's terms, breaking up into higher-volume, lower-margin parts.

Law schools push recruiters

Thousands of interviews for jobs at law firms are taking place now as top law schools, under pressure to help students snag jobs, push firms to recruit in August, months earlier than in previous years.

Luxury makers battle over red-soled shoe

A federal judge denied Christian Louboutin's request to halt sales of red-soled shoes made by rival Yves Saint Laurent, saying Louboutin wouldn't likely be able to prove that its own red soles deserve trademark protection.

  • Daily Press Review

Syrian security forces 'fire' at protesters
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar

Yemeni president objects to power transfer deal
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England

Libya rebels hit trying to take heat off Misrata
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt

Report: U.S. threatens to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel

Gaddafi forces still hold Brega oil terminal, refinery
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel

Man attacked in Ealing riot dies
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

Britain's rioters count cost of unrest as order restored
CNN International, London, England

TV shooting soldier faces death
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England

BREAKING NEWS: River Thames closed after tugboat capsizes and crew member missing
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

LeAnn Rimes reveals her toned tummy in yet ANOTHER bikini
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

France stands firm over health of finances
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France

MARKETS: Four European countries ban short-selling stocks
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Gunman killed after Estonian ministry shooting
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey

Republican rivals Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann joust in debate
Independent The, London, England

Moscow on track for better commuter trains
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia

London riots: pensioner who confronted rioting yobs dies after life support machine is switched off
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England

Michael Winner, 75, to marry for the first time
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England

Burma: More talks with Suu Kyi
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand

China's aircraft carrier plan should not affect regional peace: US
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan

LG, Sony End Patent War
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea

Fresh trail links Karachi to fake Indian money in Nepal
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India

Month after Mumbai blasts, culprits roam free
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India

'The Tree of Life'
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan

Former Warrant band frontman found dead
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand

London assays riots cost, promises safe 2012 Olympics
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China

Norway presents new July 22 twin attacks commission
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore

Tigers make it five straight
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia

More austerity may be the last thing Italy needs
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India

Nearly 600 charged in U.K. riots
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Syrian troops open fire as thousands protest Assad
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada

Which States Could Suffer From America's Downgrade?
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S

ENVIRONMENT-LATAM: Shrimp Industry Bites Hand That Feeds It
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy

Futures add to gains on retail sales data
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S

Police unearth 4 corpses on Budapest island
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S

Pumped-up police were the aggressors at G20 rally, judge rules
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario

SA unveils universal health care
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

______

How are we doing?

We would like to hear from you how we perform. What you like and what we should change or add… Send us an email; we aim to please!

Tell your friends and associates…

to subscribe to Migalhas International! www.migalhas.com

Express yourself

Want to share your opinion, your experience, your questions? You are welcome to do so. This forum is yours. Please contact the editor: [email protected]

Events

We welcome information about your events or conferences to come. Please contact the editor.

Sponsors

Become a sponsor. Spread your name in the business and legal spheres around the world in Migalhas International.

Subscription

To subscribe: Register your name and your address at https://www.migalhas.com

To unsubscribe: Send your name and e-mail address to in the subject line. We will remove your name soonest.

Address changes: If you want to continue to receive Migalhas International, please make sure we have your current e-mail address.

Contact

Michael Ghilissen, editor: [email protected]

Miguel Matos, publisher: [email protected]

Please feel free to send your comments, questions and suggestions to the editor.

Your comments

We always welcome information, articles, testimonials, opinions and comments about something you've read in Migalhas International. Please forward your contributions to the editor.

Confidentiality

When you add your name to Migalhas International, you can be sure that it's confidential. We do not share, trade, rent or sell this list. Our "privacy policy" contains no fine print. No one gets our list. Period. Your e-mail address is safe with us.

Sharing Migalhas International

If you'd like to share this Migalhas International with friends and colleagues, feel free to forward this issue including the copyright notice. Or, invite them to subscribe so they receive their own Migalhas International every week.

Sources

The content of the Migalhas International newsletter is edited for purposes of news reporting, comments and education from several sources, including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The London Times, Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, The Financial Times, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Google News, International Herald Tribune, Paper Chase (jurist.law.pitt.edu), The World Press Review: https://www.worldpress.org, Forbes, Fortune, Time, Newsweek, Harvard Business Review, American Bar Association, American Lawyer Media, FindLaw.com, The National Law Journal, Reuters, Associated Press, Internet Business Law Services, Folha de S. Paulo, O Estado do S. Paulo, Lexis Nexis, West Law, CNN, The Globe and Mail, The Los Angeles Times, Wikipedia and more.

Fair use notice

This newsletter contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of legal, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

The messages that appear in this newsletter are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to be and should not be considered legal advice nor substitute for obtaining legal advice from competent, independent, legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. The information contained on this list may or may not reflect the most current legal developments.

www.migalhas.com

Copyright 2011 - Migalhas International