"Violence is the last refuge of incompetence."
In today's Law Firm Marketing, Your marketing efforts sink, swim or soar depending on how well you satisfy the "big C"
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FBI’s claims should be dismissed – "the law is clear"
It is legally impossible for the FBI to win its case against Apple. The Law is Clear: The FBI Cannot Make Apple Rewrite its OS. While the FBI is relying on an extremely broad interpretation of the All Writs Act, it is an accepted principle that specific laws take precedence over more general ones – and there is a specific law which outlaws what the FBI is asking for … That law is the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). CALEA grants the government a lot of wiretapping powers, she says, but also clearly sets out the limits to those powers.
Brazil judge blocks Lula appointment to government
A Brazilian judge has blocked the appointment of ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as chief of staff to his successor, Dilma Rousseff, shortly after he was sworn in. The judge's injunction said there was a risk a federal investigation could be derailed if Lula was a minister. In Brazil, cabinet members can only be investigated by the Supreme Court, not by federal courts. Lula is under investigation in connection with a corruption scandal. The government has appealed against the decision. Prosecutors filed charges against Lula last week accusing him of money laundering and fraud, which he has denied. The political upheaval comes at a time of economic problems, with Brazil going through its worst recession in more than three decades.
Senate approves Freedom of Information Act reforms
The US Senate unanimously passed an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Tuesday. The bill was introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) early in 2015 and passed through the Senate legislative process with relative ease. Upon floor debate, Churck Grassley (R-IA) outlined that the improvements the amendment will have on the FOIA to increase governmental proactivity and transparency in releasing documents and ease the process through which citizens make requests by consolidating it into one online portal. Instead of FOIA requests being processed individually by agency, the newly-passed amendment would create one centralized system through which all FOIA requests would be submitted, reviewed, and either approved or denied, which would streamline requests for materials.
1 - In Federal Courts, Fewer Lawsuits But a Longer Wait - click here.
2 - North Korea sentences US tourist to 15 years in prison - click here.
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China official says Hong Kong sovereignty 'impossible'
A senior Chinese official has said it is "impossible" for Hong Kong to become a sovereign state. It comes days after an article in a university newspaper called for the United Nations to recognize as Hong Kong as a separate country by 2047. Hong Kong has certain rights enshrined in its mini-constitution, the Basic Law, which came into effect in 1997 when the UK handed it over to China. It guarantees the "one country, two systems" principle for 50 years.
Your marketing efforts sink, swim or soar depending on how well you satisfy the "big C"
by Trey Ryder
A few years ago I created a to-do list for my business (different from my to-do list for clients). Nearly every day I would add something to the list. Soon, I had over five pages of things to do -- tasks I viewed as important enough to interrupt what I was doing so I could add them to my list.
Before long, every time I opened the document I got depressed. I was always adding to the list, but almost never crossing anything off.
Why? I discovered I had a number of well-worn excuses:
I don't have enough time. The project seems too big. It won't hurt to put it off a little longer. I feel no pressure to get it done. Maybe it isn't important after all.
When I looked at the tasks I did complete, I assumed they would match my highest priorities. Right? Wrong!
I surprised myself to learn that priority had almost nothing to do with it. Instead, the major factor in my decision to complete these tasks was the Big C: Convenience.
I could finish them quickly and easily. I could complete them in one sitting. And I felt really good when the job was done: instant gratification.
So, what did I do with my 5-page to-do list? I deleted it. Now I feel much better
When your prospective clients need to hire a lawyer, do they hire you? Or are they skilled at finding ways to "put it off until tomorrow" -- or much later?
I encourage you to make every aspect of your law practice convenient for both your prospects and clients -- because if they face any obstacles, they may have all the reason they need to do nothing.
Now, here are 12 smart ways to make your law practice more convenient for prospects and clients:
Smart Way #1: Make sure prospects find it easy to learn about you. This includes having an education-based web site that answers their questions and explains in detail how you can help them. Also, I suggest you have an educational packet that contains articles and information about your services Prepare one hard-copy packet so you can send it by mail. And have the same packet in a form that you can send it by e-mail.
Smart Way #2: Make sure prospects find it easy to reach you. Do you accept phone calls from prospects -- or do you insist that they come into your office before you'll speak with them? Do you offer a toll free number -- or do prospects have to pay to call you? Do you respond to e-mails from prospects? The more convenient you make it for prospects, the more calls you'll receive.
Smart Way #3: Make sure clients find it easy to reach you. Are you available by pager or cell phone in an emergency? Can a client reach you quickly and easily on the phone? Do you return calls promptly?
Smart Way #4: Make sure prospects find it easy to get to your office. Is your office on or near a major street? Is your parking area close to your building or office? Is your office at a convenient location in the building? If on the second floor or higher, is the elevator close by?
Smart Way #5: Make sure prospects find it easy to meet with you. If prospects have a hard time coming to your office, will you go to their home or office? If weekdays are difficult for them, will you meet with them in the evening or on a weekend?
Smart Way #6: Make sure prospects find it easy to hire you. Can they hire you without having to drive to your office? Can you send your engagement letter or contract by fax or e-mail? If you have an established relationship, can they hire you simply by calling you on the phone? Or by sending you an e-mail? Can they hire you without a retainer?
Smart Way #7: Make sure prospects find it easy to pay you. Will you accept personal checks? How about credit cards? Do you offer a payment plan? Can you provide self-addressed, stamped envelopes to make sending their payment to you more convenient?
Smart Way #8: Make sure prospects and clients find it easy to provide you with the information you need. Do you have a form they can fill out and send by fax or e-mail? Do you provide business reply envelopes where you pay return postage? For larger packets, do you provide self-addressed UPS or FedEx labels?
Smart Way #9: Make sure prospects and clients find it easy to remember appointments and other important dates. Do you send them a calendar of upcoming dates, including what you need from them -- or expect of them -- by those dates? Do you send letters or e-mails reminding them of appointments? (A more tactful way to remind them of an appointment is to ask instead if this time is still convenient for them.)
Smart Way #10: Make sure clients know when to call you to update documents. You might provide them a list of criteria or events that should prompt them to contact you.
Smart Way #11: Make sure clients find it easy to refer their friends and colleagues. You might mail to each client your referral brochure, which contains a complete listing of your services and contact information. Consider providing clients with referral postcards they can give to friends and colleagues to request a meeting with you. Offer educational seminars so clients can bring friends to meet you and hear your message in person.
Smart Way #12: Make sure clients find it easy to remember you. You might provide things that contain your contact information, such as calendars and paperweights. Send cordial-contact letters. Mail them your newsletter. Don't overlook greeting cards, gifts and donations given in their name. And consider hosting special events like art walks and wine tastings.
In summary: Convenience is a big factor in how prospects and clients respond to your marketing efforts. Don't allow even the slightest obstacle to come between your prospects and you. Instead, emphasize how easily prospects can do business with you. In this way, you melt the ice that freezes many prospects in place -- and help them realize that working with you is an easy, positive, rewarding experience.
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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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Reciprocidad
Cuba anunció que eliminará un impuesto del 10% a los dólares que ingresan a la isla. (Presione aquí)
Ofertas
Al menos dos grandes empresas mineras estarían interesadas en comprar los activos de la suiza Glencore en su proyecto Lomas Bayas, faena ubicada en la Región de Antofagasta, Chile. Entre ellas están el grupo Angelini y el otro es Aaron Regent, ex CEO de Barrick Gold. Uno de los temas que podría complicar la venta es su alto valor, el que podría ir entre US$ 1.000 y US$ 1.500 mlls.
Brasil
La Cámara baja del Congreso de Brasil puso en marcha el jueves un proceso de juicio político contra la presidenta Dilma Rousseff, mediante la aprobación de una comisión de 65 miembros que estudiará si existen razones para destituirla por la manipulación de cuentas del Gobierno. En tanto, en diferentes estados brasileros se registra marchas de protesta pidiendo la renuncia de la mandataria. El descontento aumento de tono cuando Dilma anunció la nominación de ministro de la Casa Civil al ex presidente Lula, quien es blanco de investigación por hechos de corrupción en el caso Petrobras.
Trump presidency rated among top 10 global risks: EIU
Donald Trump winning the US presidency is considered one of the top 10 risks facing the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. The research firm warns he could disrupt the global economy and heighten political and security risks in the US. Trump is rated as riskier than Britain leaving the European Union or an armed clash in the South China Sea. "Thus far Trump has given very few details of his policies - and these tend to be prone to constant revision," the EIU said in its global risk assessment, which looks at impact and probability. The EIU ranking uses a scale of one to 25, with Trump garnering a rating of 12, the same level of risk as "the rising threat of jihadi terrorism destabilizing the global economy".
Brazil’s crushing debt loads are leading to a restructuring boom
Brazil’s economic quagmire, with an ever-growing corruption scandal on top of the longest and deepest recession in at least a century, is producing an unprecedented era of corporate debt restructuring in the country. The borrowing binge Brazilian companies went on during the country’s economic boom earlier this decade has now turned into an albatross as tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets and lawmakers move toward impeachment proceedings against Dilma International issuers from the country had $293 billion in bonds outstanding at the end of December, up from $90 billion at the end of 2002, according to the Bank for International Settlements. Access to capital has evaporated, forcing companies from builder OAS SA to commodity trader Ceagro Agricola Ltda. and phone carrier Oi SA to restructure. Debt of airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA and steelmaker Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA is trading at a discount of half the face value or more as investors speculate on which company will be next. Law firms are hiring to keep up with the demand for their advisory services -- and there’s still not enough to go around. Clients are competing for attention to make sure they will get priority.
US troops punished over hospital attack
The US military has disciplined more than a dozen service members after an air strike on a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital in Afghanistan killed 42 people last year. The Pentagon has acknowledged that the clinic was targeted by mistake, but no personnel will face criminal charges. The Associated Press reported that the sanctions, which were not made public, were mostly administrative. Some received formal reprimands while others were suspended from duty.
Obama nominates Judge Merrick Garland to US Supreme Court
Obama has nominated veteran appeals court judge Merrick Garland to be the next US Supreme Court Justice. The Supreme Court vacancy follows the death of Antonin Scalia last month. Judge Garland, 63, is viewed as a moderate and has won praise from senior Republican figures. The appointment has to be ratified by the Senate, but its Republican majority has vowed to block a vote on any Supreme Court nominee from Obama. Republicans have called on the president to leave the nomination to his successor, who will be elected in November.
(Click here)
Chile lawmakers lift abortion ban introduced by Pinochet
Chile's lower house of Congress has approved a proposal that lifts a ban on abortion in cases of rape, when there is health risk for the mother, or when the fetus is not viable. The draft, which was submitted by Michelle Bachelet's government, needs Senate approval to become law. Despite being predominantly Catholic, Chile allowed abortion until 1989. But the practice was banned by General Augusto Pinochet in one of the last acts of his military government.
Study finds public pension promises exceed ability to pay
A Citigroup report on 20 nations said pension obligations, much of them unfunded, amounted to nearly twice the countries’ total national debt. Twenty countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have promised their retirees a total $78 trillion, much of it unfunded, according to the Citigroup report. That is close to twice the $44 trillion total national debt of those 20 countries, and the pension obligations are “not on government balance sheets,” Citigroup said. “Total global government debt may be three times as large as people currently think it is,” the researchers warned, after gathering as much information as they could about various government pension plans and adjusting the amounts where necessary, to permit fair comparisons with bond debt. Getting each country’s unstated pension obligations down on paper, along with the sovereign debt, showed that some countries have almost certainly promised more than they can deliver.
EU agrees joint position to put to Turkey
EU leaders have agreed a joint position to put to Turkey in an attempt to reach a deal over the migrant crisis. The proposed deal would see all migrants travelling to Greece from Turkey sent back. In return it is thought the EU might offer Turkey financial aid and visa-free access to Schengen countries.
London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse agree merger
The London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) and Deutsche Boerse have agreed terms for a "merger of equals". The tie-up will create one of the largest exchange companies in the world with a combined value of about £21bn. Under the terms of the deal, LSE shareholders will own 45.6% of the new holding company, while Deutsche Boerse shareholders will own 54.4%. The two companies said together they should be able to make cost savings of €450m ($500m) a year, about 20% of the combined group's operating costs of €2.2bn last year. The LSE group already owns Milan-based Borsa Italiana.
Obama issues executive order sanctioning North Korea
US President Barrack Obama on Wednesday issued an executive order that will impose new sanctions on North Korea for their recent actions of nuclear and ballistic missile testing. The executive order imposes sanctions that include a ban on exports of goods, services and technology to North Korea and prohibits any new investment with the nation.
Students protest across France to stop Hollande labor reform
Some high schools in France were blocked and several trains were briefly stopped in Brittany as students protested a law intended to make the labor market more flexible. Even after the government watered down its proposals, student unions such as Unef scheduled protests Thursday, saying the reforms will make employment more precarious. The government says the extra flexibility it is trying to introduce will make it easier for young people to find work. Without the support of a single union and facing protests from students, President Francois Hollande’s government offered a compromise Monday, dropping a clause that would have capped severance pay for firings and promising more funds to support untrained youths. Hollande maintained proposals to allow companies to cut jobs more easily for competitive or economic reasons and give companies greater freedom to negotiate working hours with their employees.
Law to stop domestic violence un-Islamic - Pakistani clerics
A new law protecting women from abuse in domestic situations has been denounced by at least 35 religious groups in Pakistan. The Muslim bodies, made up entirely of men, called on the government in their country’s largest province, Punjab, to reverse the law, calling it un-Islamic and part of a Western conspiracy to destroy Pakistan’s constitution. The Women’s Protection Act was passed in February to safeguard women from domestic, psychological, and sexual violence. Along with setting up a free helpline, women’s shelters, and local panels to investigate incidents of abuse, the law also calls for offenders to be tracked with GPS bracelets. Women’s groups have hailed the law as a progressive step, while conservative clerics said it goes against the Quran. A joint statement from the religious groups said the new law aimed to “add to the miseries of women”, and called on the government to retract the bill.
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