September 26, 2014 nº 1,548 - Vol. 12
"If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter."
T.S. Eliot
In today's Law Firm Marketing, When asking for business is a bad idea
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Eric Holder to step down as Attorney General
Eric Holder Jr., the nation's first black US attorney general, will resign his post after a tumultuous tenure marked by civil rights advances, national security threats, reforms to the criminal justice system and 5 1/2 years of fights with Republicans in Congress. Obama said on Thursday that Holder, 63, intends to leave the Justice Department as soon as his successor is confirmed, a process that could run through 2014 and even into next year. A former US government official says Holder has been increasingly "adamant" about his desire to leave soon. The decision to leave was Holder's alone; the White House would have been happy to have him stay a full eight years and to avoid what could be a contentious nomination fight for his successor. (Click here)
U.N. Security Council unanimously passes anti-terrorism resolution
The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a historic resolution aimed at ending the flow of foreign extremists to the world's conflicts. t Obama thanked the council but warned that "a resolution alone will not be enough." n a vote presided over by Obama, the U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved a historic resolution aimed at stopping the flow of foreign extremists to battlefields around the world. Resolution 2178, which criminalizes traveling abroad to fight for extremist organizations as well as the recruiting for or funding of such groups, was adopted by all 15 members of the Security Council. "It generally targets fighters traveling to conflicts anywhere in the world. It does not mandate military force to tackle the foreign fighter issue." The U.N. resolution expresses concern that "foreign terrorist fighters increase the intensity, duration and intractability of conflicts, and also may pose a serious threat to their states of origin, the states they transit, and the states to which they travel."
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China uncovers $10bn fake trades
China has uncovered $10bn worth of fake trades as part of a nationwide crackdown on companies. The currency regulator said 15 fraud cases had been handed over to the police for prosecution. Companies sometimes falsify transactions as a way of getting money in and out of China. "Fake trade deals can do severe harm to ...the overall economy. They not only increase the pressure of hot money inflows, but also provide illegal channels for cross-border capital flows."
'Fifty dead' in Xinjiang violence
Fifty people are now known to have died in violence in Xinjiang on Sunday, in what police called a "serious terrorist attack". The "rioters" either blew themselves up or were shot dead by police. Violence has been escalating in Xinjiang in recent months. The region in China's far west is home to the Muslim Uighur minority group. Tensions exist between the Uighur community and the Han Chinese.
China reveals evidence used to convict minority activist
China's official Xinhua News Agency released a report on Wednesday detailing the evidence used to convict prominent ethnic minority scholar of separatism Ilham Tohti to life in prison. The report gives a lengthy summary of the case against Tohti, including the 210 pieces of evidence introduced by prosecutors. The report states that Tohti used his profession as a teacher to spread his ideas about social issues, refused to admit guilt and did not show contrition, for which his crimes should be heavily punished. His life punishment has received harsh criticism from the international community. In response to the report, Tohti's lawyer, Liu Xiaoyuan announced his anger that the state news media had issued evidence from the trial before the verdict had not yet taken effect. Tohti intends to appeal the verdict.
When asking for business is a bad idea
By Tom Trush
Last Friday morning I gave a short seminar to a local business group about how to "sell" to today's skeptical consumers.
After my presentation, several people came up to me with marketing questions specific to their situations. One attendee's question, in particular, is especially worth sharing because it ties into a common mistake when marketing to prospects.
The guy provides consulting services to companies wanting to "improve overall business performance." He recently hung out his entrepreneurial shingle after retiring from a well-known global corporation.
Now he's on the hunt for clients.
His current marketing strategy involves targeting companies he wants to work with and then sending e-mails to contacts he finds online. The company he asked me about is one of the largest retail chains in the United States. And, unfortunately, he's frustrated because he can't get his message in front of the right decision-maker.
His disappointment is understandable ... and avoidable.
You can't market effectively if you rely on interrupting as many people as possible with a message they never asked for.
The guy is essentially hoping to generate business by convincing people that they need his services. Worse yet, he going about the process by pitching his services as an unknown source.
Sure, sometimes you should share your marketing message with people who haven't asked for it (especially if they already demonstrated desire for a product/service similar to yours). But asking for business as a way to introduce yourself is not an effective approach.
I encouraged the business owner to begin developing marketing materials that educate prospects about problems that hinder performance. That way he proves his position as an industry authority, instead of looking like just another person pitching services.
Furthermore, since he just started his business, I suggested first testing his message with smaller companies.
If the people you target don't realize they have the problem your product/service solves, trying to convince them to take action on your offer will almost always lead to frustration.
The convincing game is expensive and wastes your efforts. You're better off attracting prospects by sharing educational messages that develop relationships over time.
After all, your marketing must develop relationships before it can drive profits.
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© 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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Minería
La ministra de Minería de Chile, Aurora Williams, destacó en Australia los proyectos por valor de US$ 105.000 mlls. que su país tiene hasta el año 2025 en su ramo, y afirmó que "la minería siempre va a ser el pilar de la economía chilena. Explicó que US$ 80.000 millones del monto total están vinculados a inversiones en la minería del cobre y el resto a metales como el oro y la plata.
Retirada
Un tribunal de Colombia ordenó al Gobierno expulsar a 11 mineras que realizan explotación de oro en una zona selvática del noroeste colombiano y restituir ese territorio a un grupo de indígenas que fueron obligados a abandonarlo por esas actividades y por la intensidad del conflicto armado.
(Presione aquí)
Coca-cola
La embotelladora mexicana Arca Contal, la segunda más grande de productos Coca-Cola en América Latina, inició la construcción de una nueva planta en Ecuador que requerirá una inversión cercana a US$ 80 mlls. La planta de Machachi, que producirá bebidas carbonatadas y no carbonatadas de las marcas de The Coca-Cola Company, fortalecerá el plan estratégico de crecimiento de Arca Continental Sudamérica.
Chambers Latin America Guide
The Chambers Latin America Guide was published last week. Aldo de Cresci of Gasparini, De Cresci e Nogueira de Lima Advogados obtained the award for best lawyer for Timberland in Brazil ; Rodrigo Azevedo Pereira of Silveiro Advogados obtained the award of "leader in their field" for Intellectual Property. The performance of lawyer Floriano de Azevedo Marques Neto of Manesco, Ramires, Perez, Azevedo Marques Sociedade de Advogados won him the award for best lawyer in Public Law. José Luis de Salles Freire, partner of TozziniFreire Advogados, won the Lifetime Achievement Award and the office of BM&A – Barbosa, Müssnich & Aragão won the Client Service Award for 2014.
Barristers paid like baristas spur trial lawyers to quit
For the more than 15,000 trial lawyers in England and Wales -- better known as barristers -- the days of plentiful work and rewarding fees are on the wane. Government cuts to legal aid are putting pressure on their income and new competitors are eating into their work. The changes are occurring as the number of barristers reaches an all-time high with more than four times as many members of the profession as 40 years ago, according to Bar Council statistics. Barristers who aspire to represent the accused as fictional criminal defender Horace Rumpole did in the 1980s television series "Rumpole of the Bailey" face the worst prospects. The gruff-voiced, poetry-quoting, claret-drinking barrister whose duty was to "take on anyone in trouble, no matter how repellent they may be" might struggle to find work today.
US allows TV and film companies to use drones
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted permission to six television and movie firms, allowing them to use drones to shoot scenes. The groundbreaking ruling reverses previously tight restrictions on the commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) - also known as drones, within US airspace. But there are restrictions. The UAS cannot operate at night, and the aircraft need to be inspected before each flight. The US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "Today's announcement is a significant milestone in broadening commercial UAS use while ensuring we maintain our world-class safety record in all forms of flight. "These companies are blazing a trail that others are already following, offering the promise of new advances in agriculture and utility safety and maintenance."
Packing pistols in public seen as next gun control battle
Millions more Americans will have the right to drive and walk around US cities with hidden, loaded guns if freelance videographer Edward Peruta wins his fight to carry one on assignment. The sheriff in San Diego rejected Peruta's application for a permit to take his Colt 1911 .45 caliber pistol while traveling with cash and expensive equipment in high-crime California neighborhoods. He sued, and a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court ruled in February that any responsible, law-abiding citizen is entitled under the US Constitution's Second Amendment to possess a concealed firearm in public for self-defense. If the ruling stands after further review by the full court, it may put the scope of the right to bear arms back in front of the US Supreme Court, six years after the justices struck down a District of Columbia law that banned handguns in the home.
'More than 3,000' Europeans with IS
The EU's anti-terrorism says the number of Europeans joining Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq has risen to more than 3,000. Air strikes by the US and its Western allies have increased the risk of a violent response from militant Islamists against European targets.
Shellshock: 'Deadly serious' new vulnerability found
A "deadly serious" bug potentially affecting hundreds of millions of computers, servers and devices has been discovered. The flaw has been found in a software component known as Bash, which is a part of many Linux systems as well as Apple's Mac operating system. The bug, dubbed Shellshock, can be used to remotely take control of almost any system using Bash, researchers said.
Google, Microsoft expose Brazil's favelas
For decades, favelas, the dense working-class neighborhoods that now house nearly a quarter of this city's population, didn't exist on city maps. Officials considered the informal settlements dangerous eyesores, and they refused to send in cartographers or provide official addresses. But frustrated residents began mapping the communities themselves, hoping to pressure authorities into providing more public services. Now those efforts are getting a boost from two of the world's biggest technology companies. Google and Microsoft have started mapping efforts in recent months in several Rio favelas. Relying largely on community groups, the companies plan to map everything from twisting, narrow alleyways to hole-in-the-wall Laundromats.
US provides legal justification for Syrian airstrikes
The US government on Tuesday insisted in a letter to the UN that the American-led airstrikes in Syria against the Islamic State (IS) were legally justified because actions were taken in defense of Iraq. The US, with the support of Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, led the airstrikes without first seeking permission from the UN Security Council or the Syrian government. However, the US argued that under Article 51 of the UN Charter, countries have the right to defend themselves with the use of force. International law dictates that force on another sovereign country may be used without the permission of the country's government or the UN in matters of self-defense. The airstrikes were legal, the letter stated, because Iraq asked the US for help in defending itself against IS attacks. Additionally, the Khorasan, who were also targeted in the attacks, were deemed by American intelligence to be a threat to the US. In her letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Samantha Power urged that "States must be able to defend themselves ... when, as is the case here, the government of the state where the threat is located is unwilling or unable to prevent the use of its territory for such attacks."
Obama has support for Syria strikes, but are they legal?
Many legal scholars say the White House lacks a legal justification for the strikes inside Syria. But the administration disagrees, saying its actions are covered by post-Sept. 11 legislation.
Vatican Arrests Defrocked Archbishop On Sex Charges
Former Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, who was defrocked earlier this year, has been accused of paying for sex with children while he was papal ambassador to the Dominican Republic. “The initiative taken by the judicial departments of Vatican City State is a result of the express desire of the Pope, so that a case so serious and delicate would be addressed without delay, with just and necessary rigor, and with full assumption of responsibility on the part of the institutions that are governed by the Holy See."
Scientists step up food fraud efforts following horse meat scandal
The latest report in response to the horse meat scandal of 2013 reminds us that the potential for fraud in the food supply is high. Food fraud is a huge, expansive problem but scientists are working to predict and prevent the next incident. Testing acts as a deterrent, but it won't stop fraud. Criminology and forensic tools are used, as well as food science, to study the global food market and predict where fraud may happen.
Russia high court upholds ban on 'homosexual propaganda'
The Constitutional Court of Russia ruled Thursday that the law banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" among minors is not in breach of the Russian Constitution. The controversial law, which entered into force in June 2013, was challenged by three LGBT-rights activists: Nikolay Alekseev, Yaroslav Evtushenko and Dmitry Isakov, who had each been found guilty of disseminating propaganda of unconventional sexual relations to minors and fined 4,000 rubles (USD $120). The activists contended that the ban undermined their constitutional right of freedom of speech and discriminated against the LGBT community. According to the court, the law does not limit the rights of homosexual citizens but is meant to prevent the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships. Under the law private individuals, civil servants and private entities who disseminate homosexual "propaganda" to minors face civil penalties ranging from 4,000 rubles for individuals to one million rubles (USD $30,500) for private entities.
India high court rules private companies must return coal assets to government
The Supreme Court of India ruled Wednesday that private companies must return the vast majority of coal block assets allocated to them by the national government from 1993 to 2010, which were sold under a corrupt bidding system. The court held 214 of the 218 designated coal mine blocks must be returned to the government. Of the four exempted blocks, two will come under the control of state-owned entities, NTPC Ltd. and Steel Authority of India Ltd., and two will remain under the ownership of Reliance Power, which is the largest private energy producer in India. The exempted blocks provide coal to significant power plants in the country, and the court deemed their continued production was crucial to sustain India's current energy needs. Wednesday's ruling takes immediate effect for 168 mines that are not yet in production and provides a deadline of March 2015 for the remaining mines to be transferred to government control.
Marc Andreessen sounds warning on start-ups burning cash
Marc Andreessen, the prominent venture capitalist, took to Twitter on Thursday to warn against excessive spending by start-ups that have attracted capital from investors. Companies that spend money on fancy offices or too many employees, he said, could be in trouble when the market turns.
Ride-sharing services face legal threat
The largest ride-sharing services are now facing a legal threat from regulators on their home turf, a new setback in their race to upend the multibillion-dollar taxi industry. The district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles on Thursday accused Sidecar Inc. of violating California business law and threatened an injunction on its service following a joint investigation. Similar letters were also hand-delivered to Sidecar's larger rivals in San Francisco, Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. The startups, already sparring with lawmakers, local taxi commissions and regulators seeking to curb their expansion from Frankfurt to Seoul, are now being challenged in their home state of California, the first place where ride sharing became popular and one of the largest markets for the services. The District Attorneys allege that Sidecar is misleading customers about how thoroughly it checks the criminal backgrounds and driving records of its drivers. The regulators are also asking Sidecar to end its car-pooling feature, launched earlier this year, which allows passengers to share rides with strangers for cheaper rides. That service violates a section of the public-utilities code, which prohibits transportation providers charging multiple people for the same ride. All three ride-sharing companies launched car-pooling features earlier this year with the aim of enticing new users to sign up and commute to work.
FBI director 'concerned' about new smartphone encryption
FBI Director James Comey on Thursday said he's bothered by moves by Apple Inc. and Google Inc. to market privacy innovations on smartphones that put some data out of the reach of police, saying agency officials have been in touch with both companies.
Cartier launches legal attempt to block websites selling counterfeit goods
Cartier International, the luxury watch and jewelry company, is attempting to block websites allegedly selling counterfeit goods in a test case that could have far-reaching consequences for the internet. Lawyers for the Paris-based company launched their claim at the high court in London on Thursday. It is believed to be the first time online service providers have been asked to close down websites on the grounds that they feature pirated trademark logos. The case against BSkyB, BT, TalkTalk and other firms raises concerns about the impact on online businesses and possible restrictions on freedom of speech. The Open Rights Group (ORG), a digital campaign organization, has intervened in the brand protection action. ORG said: "As the court is being asked to extend the circumstances in which blocking orders are granted, it's vital that the wider public interest is taken into account. We hope that our intervention will help ensure that future claimants cannot use blocking orders to restrict legitimate activity or free speech."
Obama: World needs to do more to tackle Ebola
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Australia: Shot terror suspect may not have been acting alone
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
MPs to vote on IS Iraq air strikes
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Why is AC/DC founder leaving band?
CNN International, London, England
Mary J. Blige, 43, shows off her taut tummy in cropped top as she rocks all leather look at iTunes Festival
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Rage and lust of Ludwig the brothel creeper: He was lonely and frustrated in love but nothing could silence Beethovens sublime music†
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
UK MPs to vote on UK air strikes against ISIL in Iraq
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
Hundreds of Syrian refugees refuse to leave Cypriot rescue ship
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Turkish, Iraqi trade chambers meet to boost economic ties
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Renowned mathematician dies after getting lost during walk in Moscow woods
Independent The, London, England
Major Ukrainian TV provider drops Russian channels
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia
Daughter of murdered British aid worker David Haines says Islamic State needs to be 'eradicated'
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Downton Abbey cast trade horse and carriage for the London Underground
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
School students join Hong Kong democracy protests
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
English-Language Education Is a Rudderless Ship
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Sharif Ban discuss Pak political crisis ties with India
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
Woman kills husband with help from boyfriend in TN
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Egypt changes clocks for 4th time in 5 months
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Ukraine President cancels trip over protests in eastern Ukraine
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
'We both couldn't be there'
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Russia, Ukraine in EU-brokered talks on gas
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Isuzu, General Motors to develop pickup truck for emerging markets
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Report of ISIS plot to attack U.S., Paris subways prompts extra NYC security
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Hong Kong's freedom affects us all
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Liberty Reserve Brought Down By 'Joe Bogus': How The Feds Arrested Arthur Budovsky
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
Comprehensive Sex Education: A Pending Task in Latin America
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Tainted by compatriots' scandals, Chinese firms may struggle to float in Europe
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Activists outraged over Cambodia-Australia refugee deal
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Pentagon says Canada approached U.S. about doing more in Iraq and Syria
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Sierra Leone widens Ebola quarantine
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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