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Delaware Valley Law Firm Marketing Group Sally Schmidt, Schmidt Marketing, Inc. November 28, 2006
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Selling vs. Marketing Identifying targets Researching targets Developing the sales strategy Drafting boilerplate proposals or pitches Drafting customized proposals or pitches Going on business development calls
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Marketing vs. Sales Two schools of thought…
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Marketing: Strategic Umbrella
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Marketing and Sales: Separate but Intertwined Functions MarketingSales
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Positioning vs. Business Development Positioning: Making the “short list” Business development/Sales: Relationships
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Client Development Process Awareness Perception of Expertise Relationship Retention Expansion
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The Disconnect Seminar Newsletter Client event Web site Materials Public relations Advertising Business in the door
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The Seminar: Marketing vs. Sales Develop concept Issue invitations Make logistic arrangements Create materials Prepare presentations and PowerPoint slides Prepare evaluation form Determine the target audience Engage them—pre- survey Engage them at the meeting Survey their reactions/needs Follow up in a meaningful way
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Seminar Follow Up—Business Development Style Passive/ineffective: “Thank you for coming” letter Active/effective: Host follow-up roundtables Offer to give an on-site workshop Send follow-up information on the seminar topic Send a related form, worksheet or article
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Moving from “Mass” to “One-on- One” Seminar Roundtable One-on-one
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The Missing Link: Think SMALL Seminar Newsletter Client event Web site Organizational membership Roundtable Targeted advisory Client-specific workshop Listserver Board or committee
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What Law Firms Are Doing in Business Development
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Staffing Directors of Business Development Sales personnel Business Development Managers— linked to revenue-producing units Sales support functions
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BD/Sales Support Functions Research and analysis/Competitive intelligence Proposal writing Database/CRM Pitch assistance Coaching Training
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Improving Lawyers’ Skills Coaching: One-on-one coaching assistance Mentors: Partner assignments Training: Associates Partners Peer groups
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Internal Organization Creating teams: Client teams Target or SWAT teams Tweaking the compensation system Establishing intranet pages for business development
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Increasing Your Value to the Firm through Business Development In the recent LMA compensation survey, those who listed “business development” as their primary function made, on average, $7,500 more than “generalists”
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Assist in Preparing Proposals/ Presentations Contact the prospective client Conduct research on the organization Talk through the strategy or pitch Put together drafts, gather up materials or review written materials (e.g., edit, reformat) Conduct a rehearsal/Videotape Follow up with the client Debrief the lawyers
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Counsel the Professionals Learn how business is developed for that practice Talk through opportunities Ask good questions Present ideas or initiatives Counsel on follow up
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Support the Lawyers’ Business Development Skills Set up training programs: Preparing proposals Making presentations or pitches Contacts and networking Identifying needs/Listening skills Set up marketing mentor programs Establish dynamic programs to get people involved—involve, don’t educate
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Identify and Follow Up with Prospects Identify good prospects: Clients—for cross selling New business opportunities Establish good follow-up programs: Seminar attendees Get togethers with referral sources Web site inquiries
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Sample: Gap Analysis CorporateLitigationTaxEmploymentReal EstateIntellectual Property Estate Plan Client A$570,000$860,000$60,000$50,000$37,000$120,000$25,000 Client B$1,200,000$50,000 Client C$170,000$30,000$25,000$35,000 Client D$300,000$100,000$30,000$18,000$60,000$10,000
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Contact Clients Post mortems on projects: How did we do? What did we learn? What else can we do to help? Client surveys Focus groups Client panels Client teams
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In short… More emphasis on: Strategy Client contact/Business development Follow up Less emphasis on: Tactics Communications Reacting
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Focusing on Business Development: 15 Ideas Make recommendations about who attends suites, golf outings, etc. Request and analyze the list of top clients each year Review new client reports Learn your “product”: Attend practice or industry group meetings, take your “clients” to lunch
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Focusing on Business Development: 15 Ideas Provide intelligence: markets, clients, opportunities, competitors (e.g., information feeds) Track ROI and business development contacts and successes (e.g., proposals) Put people together—be the conduit Survey your clients (the lawyers)
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Focusing on Business Development: 15 Ideas Customize proposals—no more boilerplate Synthesize information for the lawyers Learn how to make effective presentations Network with marketing directors of other companies/clients
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Focusing on Business Development: 15 Ideas Engage the firm’s targets—surveys, blogs, offers, listservers, etc. (Permission Marketing) Be active personally (e.g., civic, professional associations, network) Learn the economics of the practice
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Conclusion: Tips for Personal Success
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Help one partner develop one client Be enthusiastic—it goes a long way toward success Be realistic Start with those who are interested Start small—one target team Start with low-hanging fruit Tips for Personal Success
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Be relentless with your follow up: Lists of follow-up tasks Lists of to do’s E-mail reminders Running lists of contacts or targets Tips for Personal Success
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Questions/Discussion
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