• MiMIC Journal

China approves property tax trials to curb prices

China approved property tax trials on some homes in Shanghai and Chongqing, adding to measures announced earlier this week in its campaign to curb real-estate speculation and asset bubbles. Both cities will begin trials for the levy today, following the government's Jan. 26 announcement it will raise the minimum down-payment for second-home purchases and ask local authorities to set price targets for new properties.

China's secret currency basket

The currency basket China uses as a gauge for setting the value of the yuan is made up of about 20 currencies, split equally between those of developed and emerging economies. China regards the composition of its currency basket as a state secret. In 2005,  the central bank dropped its peg to the U.S. dollar in favor of a system that allows a crawling appreciation of the yuan from a mid-point that it sets daily.

• Law Firm Marketing

Free and open access: key to building and maintaining client relationships

by Trey Ryder

Often, as technology increases, our ability to make meaningful connections with people decreases.  Yet we still yearn to connect with other people.  For example:

I don't have a relationship with the dealership that services my car.  My relationship is with the service manager.

I don't have a relationship with the store where I buy computers.  My relationship is with the computer consultant I have grown to trust.

One key to building relationships is access.  Both prospects and clients want open and unrestricted access to you.  Every time you redirect their call to an associate or paralegal -- no matter how much sense this makes to you -- you risk that the caller will feel slighted.  From your perspective, redirecting the phone call to the person working on your client's matter increases your efficiency and makes better use of your time.  But from your client's point of view, you just gave him the cold shoulder.

And you suffer as a result.  Because in spite of each step you have taken to move your client relationship forward, when you don't accept your client's call, your relationship falls backward three steps.

Here's how you and your firm can gain a major competitive advantage:

If your duties include bringing in new clients -- and maintaining relationships with current clients -- make sure you make yourself available.  You can do this by offering two types of access:  actual access and the appearance of access.

ACTUAL ACCESS... is when prospects and clients interact with you one on one.  Actual access puts you in the strongest position with clients.  You offer clients actual access when you...

-- Accept their phone calls.  If you need to redirect the call, first accept the call, greet your client, then explain why you'd like to redirect the call and ask your client's permission.  In this way, you speak with your client, which pleases him and makes him feel important.  Then, by asking permission to redirect his call, you help your client feel that he controls the call's outcome.  In this way, your client doesn't feel ignored.  To the contrary, your client agreed to your transferring his call.

-- Respond to prospects' and clients' e-mails.  E-mail has so many benefits.  It's quick and efficient, yet it allows you to respond when you have time.  This gives your client access to you without interrupting what you're doing.  A sentence or two from you -- a quick acknowledgment of a message or a brief thank you -- goes a long way to further your relationship.

While the few words you type may not say or mean much to you, from your client's point of view, you took a moment to acknowledge him or something he did.  He's pleased because he had access to you -- and because you made him feel important by typing a quick e-mail that took you less than a minute to write.

-- Lunch with clients to discuss current or future projects.  A private meeting away from the office creates a personal bond between you and your client.  Your client values this time alone with you, rather than meeting in your office where the surroundings emphasize that your focus is business and the client may feel less like the center of attention.

-- Meet with clients and prospects in your office.  Spend a few moments alone with your client or prospect in a closed door meeting.  Update him about his case, ask for more information, or suggest ways he can get the best result from working with you and your firm.  The content of what you discuss is not as important as your willingness to spend time alone with your client or prospect.

-- Stay actively involved in your client's case.  Even if another lawyer is doing most of the work, the appearance that you're involved, if only to supervise, makes your client feel better.  By knowing that you are keeping a close eye on his legal affairs, your client feels more comfortable.

The more clients meet with you, shake your hand, and see you involved with their legal matters, the better they like it.  On the other hand, the more you separate yourself from your clients' affairs and turn matters over to other lawyers, the sooner you can expect to see your clients' loyalty evaporate.  Then your clients become easy targets for competing lawyers who offer the close, personal attention your clients want and deserve.

You can support your client's sense of relationship with you even if he doesn't require actual access.  You do this by working with clients in a non-individual yet personal way.

THE APPEARANCE OF ACCESS... is when prospects and clients see you -- and perhaps interact with you -- although not one on one.  To supplement times when you offer actual access, you create the appearance of access when you...

-- Send a fact kit that contains an original cover letter signed by you.

-- Present seminars where you're the speaker, whether in person, by telephone or on the internet.

-- Deliver CLE programs to other lawyers, sponsored by your state or local bar.

-- Send clients and prospects your educational newsletters that contain your photograph and biography.

-- Send clients, prospects and referral sources your e-mail alert

-- Generate articles about you or your law firm in newspapers and magazines.

-- Write an ongoing column in your local newspaper.

-- Appear as a guest on radio talk shows and on TV news and public affairs programs.

-- Speak with an anchor or reporter on the radio and TV news.

-- Host your own call-in radio talk show.

-- Air radio and TV commercials in which you are the speaker.

-- Sponsor a web site that contains your photograph and biographical information.

Everybody wants to be seen as an individual.  And every individual wants to feel that he or she is important.  The more access you give prospects and clients, the more new clients you'll attract -- and the more new and current clients you'll keep.

But wait, you say, this takes a lot of time.  Yes, providing access to prospects and clients can consume much of your day.  But excellent marketing requires a significant investment of time.  If you have something more important to do than attract new clients and maintain relationships, then ask another lawyer to assume the rainmaker role.

If, however, you decide to remain the rainmaker, then do your best to give prospects and clients direct and immediate access to you.  Because when they learn that you take a personal role in their problems and their success, you profit from a major competitive advantage that few other lawyers can or will match.

-----

© 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.

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• Historia Verdadera

Justicia

12.000 procesos tributarios y administrativos que se ventilan en los Tribunales de Justicia de España podrían ser afectados,  con la puesta en vigencia de una norma aprobada por el Consejo, la misma que restringe la posibilidad de que los ciudadanos lleguen con sus demandas al supremo.

100 años

Cumplirá Ernesto Sábato, este 2011, uno de los mayores escritores latinoamericanos nacido em 24/06/1911. El último de los tres mosqueteros de la literatura argentina, los que, como se sabe, eran cuatro.  Ya no están en este mundo Jorge Borges, Julio Cortázar ni Adolfo  Bioy Casares.

Plebiscito

20 días falta para que la CSJ de Ecuador se pronuncie por la aprobación o veto de las 5 preguntas del plebiscito propuesto por el Ejecutivo. El jueves que quedó polarizado el debate tras que el Presidente Rafael Correa justificara sus intensiones de la reforma judicial.

Coca-cola

7.000 mlls de dólares es el valor accionario con que nace la tercera mayor embotelladora de Coca-cola , tras la fusión entre las mexicanas Arca y Contal. La mima que pretende animar la franquicia de la marca americana en la región.

• Brief News

Wall Street appears to have violated Federal Securities Law, crisis panel finds

Wall Street firms that sold mortgage-backed securities appear to have violated federal securities laws by misleading investors on the quality of the underlying mortgages, a bipartisan panel created by Congress to investigate the root causes of the financial crisis concluded. Banks that sold home loan bonds often didn't disclose key details that would have helped investors accurately judge the quality of the investments. For example, investors were rarely told whether the mortgages failed to meet the banks' own standards. That failure raises "the question of whether the disclosures were materially misleading, in violation of the securities laws," the panel said. The claim of allegedly widespread securities law violations is among the more explosive findings in the sweeping report .

Proposed Arizona law targets "birthright" citizenship

Arizona Republicans introduced legislation on Thursday seeking to challenge the right to U.S. citizenship for children born in the state whose parents are illegal immigrants or other non-citizens. The move by state legislators came the same day the sheriff for Phoenix and surrounding areas sent a force of 200 deputies and citizen volunteers on an immigration sweep, an action the controversial lawman has undertaken periodically since 2008. Republicans introduced bills in the Arizona legislature that aim to provoke a legal review of the 14th amendment to the Constitution, which anchors citizenship rights for the children of immigrants.

Council of Europe demands Kosovo, Albania investigate organ trafficking

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) demanded Tuesday that Albania and Kosovo investigate and prosecute alleged incidents of organ trafficking, inhuman treatment and other crimes by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo.

Spanish call to probe Franco-era 'baby thefts'

More than 260 alleged victims of a baby-trafficking network in Spain begun under the dictator General Francisco Franco have started legal action demanding an investigation. A victim-support group, called Anadir, estimates that thousands of babies were stolen over decades. Many were taken away from parents with left-wing sympathies and given to other families. But the group says some babies were stolen after Franco's death in 1975. Enrique Vila, lawyer for the victims' group bringing the case, describes a mafia of doctors and intermediaries he claims was trading children for cash.

Dutch prisoner 'too big for cell'

A Dutch prisoner described by his lawyer as a giant has gone to court over the size of his single cell, arguing that it is inhumanely small. The prisoner, 2.07m tall (6ft 9in) and 230kg (36st), says he cannot properly sleep or use the toilet. Prison officials have tried to relieve his discomfort by adding a a 2.15m plank and an extra mattress to his bed. He is asking to complete his two-year sentence for fraud under house arrest. His lawyer told a court in The Hague that his client's conditions of detention violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

EU presses UK over London air pollution

The UK government has just weeks to convince EU officials that it will meet European clean air standards in London, if it is to avoid a court case. Tiny airborne particles, called PM10, are above EU limits in Greater London. The Commission says PM10, emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. EU infringement procedures had been opened against 20 of the EU's 27 member states over air quality. Big fines can be levied if countries are found to have breached EU law.

Brazil floods: 8,000 free homes for victims

Brazil says it is going to build 8,000 houses to give free to poor people made homeless by floods and landslides in Rio de Janeiro state this month. Dilma Rousseff said 6,000 homes would be paid for by the state and federal governments. The other 2,000 would be donated by a consortium of construction companies.

Brazil approves start of Belo Monte dam construction

Brazil's environment agency, Ibama, has given the go-ahead for initial work to begin on a huge hydroelectric dam on a tributary of the Amazon River. Licences still have to be granted for the actual building of the plant. Bidding for the project had to be halted three times before a final court appeal by the government allowed Norte Energia, led by the state-owned Companhia Hidro Eletrica do Sao Francisco, to be awarded the contract last year. The 11,000-megawatt dam would be the biggest in the world after the Three Gorges in China and Itaipu, which is jointly run by Brazil and Paraguay. It is expected to cost between $11bn and $17bn, and provide electricity to 23 million homes.

Japan's credit rating downgraded

Rating agency Standard & Poor's downgrades Japan's credit rating from AA to AA-, citing Japan's worsening debt situation. It said that the government "lacked a coherent strategy" for tackling the debt problem.

Stanford judged incompetent to stand trial

A US federal judge has ruled that Texan billionaire Allen Stanford is unfit to stand trial at present over accusations he led a $7bn fraud scheme. He does not have the present mental capacity to assist his lawyers. Stanford is facing trial over allegations that he ran a pyramid scheme based in Antigua which defrauded investors. He has pleaded not guilty to fraud, conspiracy and obstruction.

Malawi passes law permitting government to ban media outlets

Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika has signed into law a bill permitting the government to ban media outlets that its information ministry declares contrary to public interest. The new law, which amends the 2009 penal code amendment bill, has already drawn heavy criticism from regional media watchdogs, such as the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) and the National Media Institute of Southern Africa in Malawi (NAMISA), which charged that the bill gives political allies of the president unchecked authority to exercise arbitrary regulatory power of the African nation's media. NAMISA has also argued that the law is unconstitutional under Section 36 of the Malawi Constitution, which stipulates that "the press shall have the right to report and publish freely, within Malawi and abroad, and to be accorded the fullest possible facilities for access to public information." Free press advocates have asked Mutharika to agree not to use the new authority in an abusive fashion and urged the Malawian Parliament to refrain from advancing bills that would run counter to the principles of a free democracy.

Federal judge rules Blackwater shooting suit can proceed in state court

A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled Wednesday that a lawsuit against Blackwater, now known as Xe Services, can proceed in state court. The suit revolves around a 2007 shooting incident in the Nisour Square area of Baghdad that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead. A subsequent FBI investigation revealed that 14 of the deaths were unjustified acts of excessive force. The lawsuit, the last remaining in relation to the shooting incident, was filed by the families of six victims. In his ruling, Judge Terrence Boyle said that nonresidents lack the right to sue in federal court for injuries sustained outside of the country, but that federal courts are obligated to remand such cases to the state level, where North Carolina law permits such suits.

Arizona federal judge declares judicial emergency

The US Courts for the Ninth Circuit announced on Tuesday that Chief Judge Roslyn Silver of the US District Court of Arizona has declared a judicial emergency under the Speedy Trial Act. Judge Silver's order suspends the time limits set forth in 18 USC § 3161, which require that a federal criminal trial commence 70 days after a complaint or indictment. The judicial emergency allows a federal criminal trial to begin a maximum of 180 days after being charged. The emergency order does not affect the provision requiring filing of an indictment within 30 days of an arrest and it does not affect time limits for those that are awaiting trial.

UK government proposes revised control order policy

UK Home Secretary Theresa May addressed Parliament on Wednesday to announce proposed changes to the country's anti-terrorism policies, including the controversial use of control orders. Control orders, created by the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2005 (PTA), impose a variety of legal restrictions on individuals suspected of terrorism-related activity, regardless of the suspect's citizenship status or whether he or she has been convicted of any wrongdoing.

LinkedIn files papers to go public

LinkedIn Corp announced plans to go public this year in what could be a test of investor appetite for social networking websites ahead of a highly anticipated Facebook offering. Investor interest and valuations are surging for privately held Web companies like Facebook, Zynga and Groupon. LinkedIn's net revenue nearly doubled to $161.4 million in the first nine months of 2010, with $1.85 million in profit, according to the filing. LinkedIn, which caters to professionals, has 90 million users, compared with the more than 500 million users of Facebook's mainstream social networking service.

U.S. replaces color-coded terror alerts

The United States is replacing its much-mocked system of color-coded terrorism alerts with detailed advisories about specific threats.  "When we have information about a specific, credible threat, we will issue a formal alert providing as much information as we can." That information will include a summary of the threat, steps authorities are taking to guard the public and what the public can do. "The alerts will be specific to the threat. They may recommend certain actions or suggest looking for specific suspicious behavior. And they will have a specified end date.  

• Daily Press Review

Egypt tense ahead of protests
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar

The Palestinian Authority to release documents critical of Qatar
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England

Seven purebreds donated to raise funds to fight cancer
Gulf News, Independent daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

U.S. Democrats and pro-Israel lobbies slam Republican Senator's call to halt Israel aid
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel

U.S.-MIDEAST: Obama Riding a Tiger
IPS Middle East, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy

Indians in UAE mark R-Day with fervour
Khaleej Times, English-language daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Indonesian Passenger Ferry Fire Kills 11
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon

UNHCR demands bribes, refugees
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen

TUNISIA: Prime minister purges Ben Ali allies but holds on to post
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Exxon, Rosneft Sink $1Bln in Black Sea
The Moscow Times, Independent daily, Moscow, Russia

Tell us how you'll cut tax, Boris Johnson urges Chancellor
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England

Illegal RI migrant worker dies in Malaysia
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia

Hindu, Sikh children bullied out of school
Pajhwok Afghan News, (Independent news agency), Kabul, Afghanistan

Tension rises over illegal migrants inside Athens University Law School
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China

Investors in Dominican resort scream swindle, vow court action
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

RIGHTS-CUBA: Few Advances, Besides Release of Prisoners
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy