Here’s a link to great infographic by Pure360 on the best times to send email blasts.
http://emailmarketing.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452a5d869e2015434cf6844970c-pi
Note the best time for B2B offers is 5-7pm when folks are working late. We’ll be testing this theory over the next few months and will post results here on this blog.
A few months ago, Google subtly transferred all Google Places profiles into Google+ Local business pages, integrating business listings with Google’s newest social networking platform. The transformation of Google Places to Google+ Local comes as an attempt to make local search a more social process. If you have a Google+ profile, Google will give preference to search results that include reviews and photos added by people in your circles.
Aside from the new social aspect of Google+ Local, these business pages remain a fundamentally important tactic in online marketing efforts. If you still have not dealt with this change, the time to do so is now.
While all of your business information should have seamlessly transferred from your old Places listing to the new Google+ Local platform, some issues occasionally arise. Everyone should take the time to search for their business’ profile and make sure all of the information is up-to-date, that the map shows the correct location of your business, and that all reviews have been transferred correctly.
The new Google+ Local page layout offers the ability to customize your page with more photos and videos, which can be prominently displayed at the top of the page. The old 5-star rating system has also been revamped, as a new 30-point Zagat rating scale has been implemented in its place.
Each time Google makes an unexpected change affecting its interface or usability, there are sure to be strong feelings on the matter, both positive and negative. Whatever your stance on these latest changes to Google Places, we strongly recommend that you spend a few minutes optimizing your new profile to ensure that your business is visible and attractive to local searchers. As the local search environment becomes increasingly social, Google+ Local will be a key component to your local marketing efforts. The few minutes it may take to ensure your page is in order may prove to be the difference in winning the business of local customers over your competitors.
To learn more about the latest in SEO best practices, consult a Michigan marketing firm. Visit our blog, or contact Clarity Quest today at 877-887-7611. Request a quote.
Marketers are constantly trying to figure out the best ways to target the right customers, at the right time, in the right location. With geolocation software, marketers can be assured that their marketing communications efforts are reaching the subset of consumers that is most likely to turn into paying customers. With geolocation software, marketers can:
Target consumers in relevant locations – By knowing the physical location of potential customers, marketers can more effectively reach out to local consumers. This assures that marketing messages are more strategically targeted to those who are in a position to make a purchase.Show different content to different people – If, for example, your business operates in multiple cities, geolocation software can assist your marketing efforts by displaying the appropriate messaging to people in each location. This helps to decrease the amount of wasted advertising shown to those outside your service areas.Even reach mobile users effectively – Due to slow connection speeds and data usage limitations, about 80% of mobile web users opt to connect their device to WiFi, meaning geolocation can accurately target mobile web traffic as well.In addition to geolocation being a beneficial tool for marketers, consumers should also be excited about this developing technology. For consumers, geolocation means an increase in relevant advertisements and a reduction of spam, all while maintaining personal privacy.
All too often companies, especially technology companies, dive right into writing copy for websites, collateral and press releases. This very tactical approach often leads to numerous re-writes and inconsistent positioning because different writers emphasize different points, themes and value propositions.
I strongly recommend having a technology marketing agency create messaging for your company and all products and services. The messaging document should contain:
25, 50 and 100-word overview statementsFull description (3-5 paragraphs)Role-based message based on the titles in companies you are targetingA press release boilerplate5-6 value propositions (we call them messaging pillars)Content for your website’s homepage & main landing pageMedia talking pointsWith the elements above, you’ll have a great foundation on which to base all marketing communication efforts.
ArborMetrix is a healthcare analytics and software firm in Ann Arbor Michigan specializing in measurement of hospital and specialty-based care.
Attending their first trade show ever, ArborMetrix approached Clarity Quest to design podium and banner stand graphics. We combined healthcare and data analytics visuals to create an engaging and informative backdrop for their booth space.
Ann Arbor SPARK will hold a marketing roundtable discussion this Tuesday, May 8 entitled “Return on Marketing Investment.” The roundtable will be held live and via a webcast and will teach attendees about simple ROI metrics, and provide a panel to answer questions and provide a range of insight. Panelists include Bud Gibson – Creator of EMU’s Integrated/SEO Marketing Program, Jeff Ewald – Founder of Optimization Group – a measurement and analytics company for marketing and marketing communications, and Eric Jacobson – CFO of Amplifinity, Inc. – a company that helps track Word of Mouth campaigns and provides performance metrics. The roundtable will be streamed from 5:40-7PM by Magic Coast, and will be held live at SPARK Central (330 East Liberty, Lower Level, Ann Arbor, MI 48104) from 5-7PM, with registration and networking before the discussion. For more information and to register for free, click here.
Learn more about upcoming MI marketing and networking events from a Michigan marketing company. Visit our blog, or contact Clarity Quest today at 877-887-7611. Request a quote.
Google’s latest algorithm updates – Panda and Penguin – may have left some businesses feeling perplexed as to why their site was penalized. Some of the black hat SEO tactics targeted by Panda and Penguin include backlink stuffing, duplicate content, hidden links, low quality and unnatural links and other potential spamming techniques that Google deems as over-optimization.
If you want to remain safe from Google search ranking penalties in the future, follow these simple tips for SEO best practices:
1. Provide original content. The first step to great online marketing is a great website. Your website should be a helpful resource for your visitors and potential customers searching for information about your business. Original, high-quality content will keep visitors on your site longer, and will keep them coming back for more. Never post duplicate content to your site. Websites using this bad practice were among the hardest hit by the Panda update.
2. Build quality backlinks. Everyone knows backlinks are great for SEO. However, it is important to observe the quality over quantity rule for link building, especially after the Penguin update penalized heavily for bad link building practices. Before submitting a link to a directory, make sure that site has a high page rank and has not been associated with any black hat tactics.
3. Choose keywords wisely. Avoid harmful keyword stuffing by developing a diverse set of targeted keywords for your SEO campaign. Use free tools like Google Analytics to test different keyword combinations and options. After developing a set of keywords, implement them into your website copy and original content strategically and ethically to avoid any future penalties.
For advice on SEO best practices and SEO services, contact a Michigan marketing agency. Visit our blog, or contact Clarity Quest today at 877-887-7611. Request a quote.
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new website for Ann Arbor-based UNIVAL, Inc. UNIVAL provides integrated healthcare services and technology to large health care insurance companies, health plan organizations and other major employers nationwide.
Ann Arbor SPARK continues production of its CEO Podcasts: Conversations on Economic Opportunity series hosted by CEO Paul Krutko. The latest guest of the podcast series, Jeff Finkle, is the president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Finkle’s résumé also includes his current positions as CEO of the National Association of the Installation Developers and heading his nonprofit, the Bollinger Foundation. Finkle and Krutko will discuss the mission of the IEDC, and the evolution of the profession and field of economic development. Click here to listen to the entire podcast.
Learn more about marketing events, networking opportunities, and educational programs from a Michigan marketing agency. Contact Clarity Quest today at 877-887-7611. Request a quote.
Home-based businesses can take advantage of a wide variety of resources.house image by kruszek from Fotolia.comHome businesses obviously do not have access to the significant resources available to major corporations--or even the mid-sized businesses that populate most communities. Still, there are some useful resources that even the smallest of home businesses can draw upon, particularly in today's technology-based environment, where a wide range of online applications are available at low or no cost, and free information abounds.
SCORE, a partner with the Small Business Administration, was formed in 1964 and continues to be a useful source of resources for home-based and other small businesses across the country. From online resources to community-based training programs, events and volunteer business consultants, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business. Assistance is available at every stage of business development--from idea generation to funding, to operations management and growth. SCORE has assisted more than 8.5 million Americans with online and face-to-face small-business counseling.
Home-based businesses can gain access to clerical and other types of administrative assistance without having to invite employees to set up shop in their homes. Virtual assistants (VAs) often operate in home-based environments themselves and offer administrative, technical and even creative (e.g. writing/design/computer) services to small and home-based businesses. They are contractors, not employees, so home-based business owners can take advantage of the benefits of having staff to assist them without some of the legal and administrative issues involved.
The Internet offers home businesses a wealth of information--much of it available at no cost--in the form of blogs, webinars and social media content available on virtually any subject under the sun. A quick search will turn up literally thousands of sources--business owners can also find access to these sources through organizations such as SCORE or the Small Business Administration.
The term SOHO emerged in the 20th century as an acronym for "small office, home office" as the proliferation of these businesses became more and more prevalent. SOHO-based groups exist on a national and local level and provide not only information resources for home-based businesses, but also opportunities to connect with other home-based businesspeople.
Leigh Richards has been a writer since 1980. Her work has been published in "Entrepreneur," "Complete Woman" and "Toastmaster," among many other trade and professional publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Arts in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.
Workplace discrimination and harassment are unlawful activities, and employees are protected by federal and state laws that prohibit unfair treatment.Legal Law Justice image by Stacey Alexander from Fotolia.comA number of federal, state and municipal laws prohibit workplace discrimination. In some instances, employers and employees are unaware of these rules. There are also instances where employers and employees are aware that discrimination is unlawful activity; however, workplace discrimination may be controlled and eventually eliminated when it is recognized and addressed by human resources leadership.
Discrimination occurs when one person or a group of people are subjected to unfair treatment based on factors, such as race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or veteran status. Several federal laws address each type of discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most comprehensive laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces Title VII, as well as other laws that address discriminatory treatment. State human rights commissions that address statutes at the state level prohibit unfair employment practices.
Given the number of complaints, lawsuits and mediation pertaining to workplace discrimination, there are endless examples to illustrate how discrimination occurs on the job. Assume there are eight engineers employed by a company; there are six male engineers and two female engineers. All have identical qualifications and credentials. The six men are paid $50,000 per year and eligible for a 5 percent raise each year if their performance appraisal indicates satisfactory performance. The two women are paid $48,000 per year and are eligible for a 3 percent raise if their performance rating indicates superior performance. Granted, this is an egregious example of workplace discrimination but it helps paint a picture of discrimination and how it is perpetuated in business. In this case, the female engineers are clearly being treated differently, based on sex. This example violates several federal laws: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, The Equal Pay Act of 1963 and The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.
When the discriminatory behavior exceeds that of engaging in unfair employment practices, and escalates to behavior that is verbally and physically abusive, it is considered harassment. Many cases of employment discrimination also contain complaints of a “hostile work environment.” A hostile work environment is created when the victim of discrimination is treated in a manner that makes it difficult or impossible to perform her job duties.
Section 21.051 of the Texas Labor Code states, “An employer commits an unlawful employment practice if because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, or age the employer: (1) fails or refuses to hire an individual, discharges an individual, or discriminates in any other manner against an individual in connection with compensation or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; or (2) limits, segregates, or classifies an employee or applicant for employment in a manner that would deprive or tend to deprive an individual of any employment opportunity or adversely affect in any other manner the status of an employee.” The Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division enforces the state’s laws and investigates complaints filed by employees who believe they have been subjected to discrimination.
There never will be a cure for discrimination; however, employers can educate employees on the illegality of discriminatory treatment. An understanding of differences in race, culture, sex, national origin and other factors that are separate from job qualifications will help prevent some instances of discrimination. An employer’s responsibility is to provide a safe workplace, free from harassment and discrimination.
Ruth Mayhew began writing in 1985. Her work appears in "The Multi-Generational Workforce in the Health Care Industry" and "Human Resources Managers Appraisal Schemes." Mayhew earned senior professional human resources certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and holds a Master of Arts in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The best managers are ones who promote diversity and accept all types of people.business colleagues preparing for business meeting image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.comDiversity in the workplace is an increasingly relevant issue and refers to the differences between coworkers--whether ethnicity, sex, religion, age, background or position. According to an article from ZeroMillion.com, an online business resource, in the 1960s, more than 60 percent of American workers were white males. Now, with a variety of people in the workforce, the best managers are ones who can effectively manage and promote workplace diversity.
Even the best of managers cannot create diversity and cultural awareness out of thin air. During the interviewing process, look for people who can contribute to a diverse staff or people who are on board with your vision for workplace diversity. Add diversity to the list of requirements--or at least an awareness--for prospective employees. Hiring a diverse and culturally aware staff will increase the number of perspectives in the office, open lines of communication with more groups and, in turn, increase productivity, according to a 2004 diversity article at DiversityWorking.com.
An office retreat, whether a day trip to a park or a weekend in the mountains, can be a great time for your employees to get to know each other. Maybe you've recently added some diverse individuals to your team and you want them to have a seamless transition. A retreat allows your employees to get to know each other out of the office and see each other in a recreational setting. Set up board games, sporting events and team-building activities for the day or weekend. Be open about the fact that it's a diversity and team-building retreat. According to a University of Nebraska article by John Leonard Harris about how to plan a diversity retreat, an essential component is to appoint a facilitator to guide the weekend. This person must have a working knowledge of current and relevant issues, people skills and be well-respected in the workplace. The facilitator will lead discussions about a variety of diversity topics and inspire conversation between employees.
Despite how much diversity training you provide your staff, issues will arise. People will feel unfairly treated, people will treat others unfairly and diversity will not always be on employees' minds. But a way to combat the slip-ups that will occur from time to time is to keep an open door policy. Inform your employees that you are available to chat about diversity and workplace issues, productivity concerns and relevant issues. Allowing employees to express their concerns when they need to will result in happier, more productive individuals while giving you an idea of how to improve diversity in your workplace, according to a diversity article by Lenora Billings-Harris, a nationally renowned performance improvement consultant, on SideRoad.com.
Mitchell Holt has a bachelor's degree in print journalism from Abilene Christian University and has been freelancing since 2009 with work published in various newspapers and magazines like "BostonNOW" and "The Abilene Reporter-News." Holt also writes sales copy for small businesses. His clients include The Kyle David Group, ITNewton, 18 Vodka, RoboQuote and more.
Morale is affected by several factors and costs companies millions each year.bisinessman image by Siberia from Fotolia.comGood workplace morale is the state of mind of employees displayed through hard work, cordiality, confidence and discipline, according to a 2007 organizational leadership article by Roberts Wesleyan College graduate student Nicole Fink. Employees with low morale cost the American workforce about $350 billion each year through health-related issues, missing work and general unhappiness at work, according to Fink's article. Several consistent issues cause low employee morale.
According to Entrepreneur and a 2006 study from Rasmussen Reports--a company that collects and distributes public polling information--92 percent of managers claim to be doing an "excellent" job supervising employees, but only 67 percent of employees agree. Not only are managers one of the main causes of low morale, they don't know that they are. Poor leadership often comes in the form of lack of communication, micromanagement and discrimination. According to eWeek, positive leadership and poor leadership are what determine the tone of an office, directly improving or deteriorating employee morale.
Employees with limited chance of advancement are more likely to have low morale than those who can grow with the company, according to Fink's morale article. Lack of advancement makes employees feel like they are in a dead-end job, promoting lack of motivation and, in turn, low morale.
One or two employees can negatively affect and entire staff of employees, according to IT Managers Inbox. Problems that arise in the workplace--whether workplace bullying, disrespect, discrimination or general disagreements--negatively affect morale and decrease productivity. To a certain extent managers must keep an eye out for workplace dissent, but much of the responsibility lies with employees, who should stick up for unfairly treated coworkers and keep an eye out for morale issues. In addition, according to a human resources statistics page from Entrepreneur, about 63 percent of employees who feel mistreated at work leave within two years, putting employers right back where they started, training a new set of employees.
Many employees bring personal issues to work--often concerns regarding family and finances--and this often negatively affects performance and morale. According to "Entrepreneur", about 40 percent of employees in the U.S. let personal finances and other issues affect their performance in the workplace. Employees dealing with personal issues usually seem distant, out of touch with coworkers and don't contribute to communication in the office--email threads, comments in business meetings and phone calls.
Mitchell Holt has a bachelor's degree in print journalism from Abilene Christian University and has been freelancing since 2009 with work published in various newspapers and magazines like "BostonNOW" and "The Abilene Reporter-News." Holt also writes sales copy for small businesses. His clients include The Kyle David Group, ITNewton, 18 Vodka, RoboQuote and more.
Know what counts as a small business tax deduction.tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.comThe Internal Revenue Service defines a business expense as any cost associated with the act of doing business, according to the Business Expense" page of the IRS website. The IRS allows small businesses to deduct certain expenses from the company income tax return. To maximize the allowable deductions, it is necessary to develop tax deduction ideas.
If you use a portion of your home exclusively to conduct business, then you can write off a portion of your home expenses on your business taxes, according to the article titled "Small Business Expenses and Tax Deductions" on the Business.gov website. Some of the home office expenses that can be deducted are the mortgage, utilities, home repairs and homeowners insurance. You do not need to own your home for it to be a business deduction. If you live in an apartment and have a portion of that apartment set aside for business use, then expenses such as rent and utilities are deductible. Consult an accountant to find out how much of your home expenses can be deducted for your business.
Office supplies used in the course of doing business are tax deductible, according to the article "A Dozen Deductions for Your Small Business" on the Bankrate.com website. Keep all of your office supply purchase receipts, and keep them organized in a file folder for easier categorization. Office supplies that are deductible include copy paper, printer ink, pens, pencils, pads of paper, paper clips, highlighters and staples.
Your employees offer a source of small business tax deductions, according to the "Business Expenses" page on the IRS website. Employee compensation and certain employee retirement plans, such as a 401k, offer tax deductions for the small business as well.
Office furniture offers another chance for small business tax deductions, according to Bankrate.com. The small business owner can choose to write off the entire cost of office furniture purchased in a year, or the cost can be spread out over the span of seven years as depreciation. Depreciation is not done in seven even segments spread out over seven years. The IRS releases a depreciation schedule each year that explains how to depreciate equipment and write it off on your small business taxes.
Arnold Anderson began writing professionally in 1985. His publishing credits include a weekly column in the "Lockport Union Sun and Journal" along with the "Spectrum," the "Niagara Falls Gazette," "Tonawanda News," "Watertown Daily News" and the "Buffalo News." Anderson has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York, Buffalo.
Online education is a good option for many busy people, who can choose to take an accounting course online.working barefoot at home image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.comThe Internet revolutionized the way people live and its impact in education is clearly felt in education, where you can go to school online, get degrees, learn a new language or a new skill. You can learn accounting online too. It is challenging, but it is doable. Before taking an accounting class online, get as much information about it as possible, such as time and work required along with any specific software or internet connection needed.
You must be very organized to learn accounting online, with all the deadlines and work required. Use an agenda, paper or online, to keep track of your tests and assignments. It is easy to forget to do things when you don't go physically to a classroom and accounting is no exception. Separate blocks of time--at least three hours each--a couple of days a week to take care of reading, homework, group assignments and tests. Learning accounting requires work, online or live, therefore organize your time accordingly.
Participation in online accounting classes usually refers to postings in discussion areas and in chats. The instructor wants to see that you're learning and you can make connections between concepts. When participating in online classes, avoid a one-word or one-sentence response. Write at least three sentences about a topic per post in discussion or chat. Give examples of what you're discussing. Find online resources and talk about it, not just how clear the explanation is on that site, but how that relates to something else. For instance: "that site showed how accrual and cash basis of accounting differs. Clearly the more accounts receivable and payable a business have, the more the accrual method makes more sense. The cash basis ignore these items and bills to be paid, money to be received are too important to be ignored."
Going to school online can be very convenient because you can do it without driving and looking for a classroom. Learning accounting online can give you time to think and to digest concepts without being put on the spot, as can happen in regular courses, where you can be called in to answer questions during class or do homework on the board. An online accounting course gives you the opportunity of re-reading lectures, allowing you to focus on new concepts as long as you need. You can still ask the instructor and other student questions and get answers, but the online medium slows down a bit the intensity of an accounting course, which can reduce stress, helping you learn accounting on your terms.
Consider getting a second book to help you learn accounting. Many times concepts are understood better when explained in a different way. Get a book with lots of accounting exercises and answers with explanations. That's the best way of learning accounting: by doing, not by reading theory over and over. Many free online resources are available to learn accounting--make full use of them. If you are not understanding something, don't give up on it. Look it up online and try to do online exercises about it, until you get the idea. There are no shortcuts in learning accounting, online or otherwise.
Free or very cheap accounting courses are available online and they may work for some people, but usually you don't learn accounting by yourself. It's not an easy topic to grasp and "get it" without an instructor. Another warning about learning accounting online is that it is a lonely experience. You don't have colleagues sitting next to you to chat or to exchange information. Without a classroom, it is easy to lose motivation and to give up on the course. To prevent this, try to connect with other students "offline." You could also form your own informal study group with other students in the same boat.
Sheila Shanker is a certified public accountant based in California. She writes online courses for professionals seeking CPE hours and has also published the book "Guide to Non-profits: From the Trenches." Her articles have been published in national magazines such as the "Journal of Accountancy," "Architecture Business and Economics" and "Veterinary Economics." Shanker holds a Master of Business Administration.
Sales forecasting methods and techniques vary from company to company.graph bars image by Tomislav from Fotolia.comDecomposition stands as one of the most common statistical sales forecasting methods. Decomposition belongs to the time series family of forecasting methods. Decomposition looks at four variables that control the value of “x” over a certain time period. In simpler terms, decomposition uses a product’s trend component, cyclical component, seasonality and irregular components to forecast the future value of the product over a given time period. Decomposition looks at each component separately to determine a forecast value for the specified component and then combines the data output into an overall forecasted value. A variety of statistical decomposition methods exist.
Unlike decomposition, which uses the entire history of a product as the forecast input, simple exponential smoothing uses a weighted moving average. Because simple exponential smoothing seeks to reduce, or smooth out, the irregular patterns in a product over time, this forecasting method works best with products whose main component exhibits strong cyclical and irregular patterns.
Census X-11 resembles a standard decomposition method because it uses the same variables trend, seasonality, cyclicality and irregularity as forecast inputs. The difference comes from how it uses these variables. It places more emphasis on the seasonal and cyclical components of the product. Census X-11 also uses a specific number of trading days in the month. Using trading days allows this forecast method to weigh the future forecast by the number of trading days used in the forecast input.
All forecasters use a different technique when performing forecasting activities. Some forecasters prefer to forecast in a vacuum—not using input from other sources other than the data. This technique rarely works for any extended period of time. In most businesses the best source of data comes from the human elements involved in the business. Forecasting in a vacuum disregards this important source of data. Collaborative forecasting techniques such as collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment use internal company resources and resources from suppliers to create a mutually agreed upon forecast.
When considering what forecast methods and techniques to use remember this, forecasts are always wrong. The best method and technique is the one that keeps the business running efficiently and at the least cost. Don’t get bogged down in theories and methodologies or getting a 100 percent accurate forecast.
From 2002-2006, Kenneth Hamlett was publisher and head writer for UNSIGNED Music Magazine, an online publication with over 100,000 readers. Prior to establishing UNSIGNED, Hamlett was a business solutions analyst and spent 15 years formulating and writing proposals for supply chain business solutions. He is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography.
Often I sound like a broken record. IRL (in real life), on my blog and here at Attorney at Work, I’m constantly repeating this mantra: “Don’t work for your computer, put your computer to work for you.” Sometimes small bits of information that would make our day more efficient are overlooked (or forgotten). But over the course of a work year, a few less keystrokes here … and fewer mouse reaches there … can add up to a lot of time saved!
Judicious use of the Windows Logo key is one of those simple ways you can easily work smarter, with very little up-front effort—great bang for your keyboarding buck.
The Windows Logo key (also known as the Windows key or Start key) is that little key on the lower left side of your keyboard that typically sits to the left of the Alt key:
It’s not there just to look pretty, it’s there to work for you. When pressed in conjunction with other keys, the Windows Logo key will help you quickly carry out basic tasks that would normally have you reaching (inefficiently) for your mouse. There are many Windows Logo key combination shortcuts, but these are my “fave 10.” (The first five work in both Windows 7 and Windows XP, the next five in Windows 7 only.)
Windows Logo key, by itself. Okay, this is not a combo. But go ahead and press the Logo key and watch the Windows Start Menu immediately appear, with the cursor flashing in the Search box (Win 7). Instant menu, instant search.Windows Logo key + D key. Have an annoying nosy neighbor peering over your shoulder? This combo will minimize all open windows, sending you straight to your desktop. Once that nosy neighbor wanders off, Press again to restore your immediately previous view.Windows Logo key + E key. Immediately open up a Windows Explorer window, open at My Computer view.Windows Logo key + F key: The fastest way to search. This key combo takes you straight to Windows Search, ready for your input. Your search results will depend on your search settings.Windows Logo key + L key. Indispensable for immediately locking your system. If you only ever adopt one Windows Logo key, make it this one. Never leave your computer without locking it.Windows Logo key + T key. Cycle through programs on your Taskbar. This one comes in really handy when your trusty mouse is less than trusty.Windows Logo key + Tab key. Hold down the Windows Logo key, while continuously pressing the Tab key to cycle through your open programs in 3D view—when you land on the program you want to switch to, take your fingers off the keys and that program window will come to the top! (Note: If you have Windows Aero turned off this key combo will not work). For those not using Windows Aero try this alternative: Hold down the Alt key while continuously pressing Tab to pop up a little window allowing you to cycle through your open programs. Very handy!Windows Logo key + Up Arrow key. Program not opening maximized? Rather than reach for the mouse, press this key combo for instant maximizing. (Then try the same with the left, right and down arrows—minimize, maximize to the right or to the left.)Windows Logo key + Shift Left Arrow keys. My new best friend and yours, too, if you use dual monitors. Flip that open window straight over to your other monitor, without grabbing the program’s title bar with your mouse and dragging. Repeat the key combo to move it back (or use the Windows Logo key in combo with Shift + Right Arrow).Windows Logo key + P key: If you work with dual monitors (or a laptop and projector) and need to regularly change your display between Computer Only, Duplicate, Extend or Project Only, this key combo is for you. Try it—you’ll never go back to manually changing those settings.And that’s my list. Print it out and tape it near your monitor (because sometimes low-tech works best), until you’ve memorized your faves. Then put that Windows Logo key to work for you! Why work harder when you can work smarter?
Vivian Manning is the IT Manager at Barriston Law LLP in Barrie, Bracebridge and Cookstown, Ontario. Prior to moving into IT, Vivian practiced law at Barriston LLP (formerly Burgar Rowe PC) primarily in the area of Municipal Land Development, with of 17 years in private practice before switching to the IT side of the law office. She currently indulges her love of teaching tech through her blog Small City Law Firm Tech, where she provides “tips of the day.”
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Your long-tenured secretary arrives at work in the morning and forgets to turn on her workstation lights, misfiles a court pleading and fails to confirm a client meeting. While this isn’t the first time, you want to believe it’s just temporary. But you fear it’s something more. Compassion may make the difference between paying employment lawyers to help you navigate through a legal quagmire—and resolving a human issue quickly, without conflict or drama.
While many human resources situations require direct, aggressive and decisive action, others are better handled with sensitivity, compassion and patience. This situation is clearly in the second category. If approached in an accusatory and confrontational manner, your secretary is likely to clam up, feel anxious, attacked and alone, and may suspect she is a victim of disability discrimination. By approaching her in a calm, unassuming, non-threatening and respectful manner, however, you can often diffuse a situation that has the potential to escalate. The channels of communication are opened, and a positive conversation that might actually lead to resolving the problem becomes far more likely.
Just as you would with any client, playing to your secretary’s strengths is far more effective than pointing out her deficiencies. As difficult as it is, avoid projecting the classic self-fulfilling prophecy.
Forgetful and distracted employee performance could mean many things. Keep in mind that any number of factors could be contributing to performance problems. Depression or other health aliments are common and can be brought on or worsened by the stress of caregiving, for example, while trying to earn a living. Memory deficiencies could be symptomatic of a larger problem—or something quite small. Jumping to a quick conclusion may be in no one’s best interest.
Discuss the problems you’re observing with your secretary in an objective and supportive manner, and ask for her ideas in coming up with solutions. Rather than respond defensively (the first step in escalation), our experience has been that your secretary may well appreciate the time and attention you’re devoting to her performance problems. Take the time to offer your ear while avoiding the temptation to “diagnose,” and she will be more likely to provide the insight you need to identify remedial measures that work for both of you. When discussing solutions, your secretary is more likely to accept what is being offered when it comes from a place of compassion and sensitivity.
Take a balanced approach that strikes a chord between understanding your secretary’s limitations and avoiding exposure to future risk. By doing so, you will likely satisfy both interests evenly and in the most humane way possible. Here are keys to a compassionate approach:
Identify the problem.Address the underlying factors, but only if volunteered—avoid the temptation to diagnose.Start a mutual, respectful dialogue concerning solutions—adjust job responsibilities, establish procedures to address errors with routinely monitored task lists, and so on.Ensure that the problem is remedied.Routinely check-in and follow up.Offer additional suggestions for improvement on an ongoing basis, and document everything.Don’t rush things. There is no established timetable to remedy the problem. One size does not fit all.
Raymond W. Martin is a partner Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP in Denver. He has represented some of Colorado’s largest employers in labor and employment litigation in the federal and state courts in the Rocky Mountain region for more than 30 years. Alison L. Shaw is the head paralegal of the labor and employment practice group at Wheeler Trigg, where she performs case management responsibilities from the initial information-gathering stage through discovery and trial. She is experienced in conducting sensitive internal HR investigations for clients in cases pending in federal and state courts as well as in administrative proceedings.
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When was the last time you bought an entire album of music from a single artist? Most of us create playlists with tracks purchased on Apple iTunes from multiple artists and albums. We create exactly what we want to jive with our moods and circumstances. Freedom of choice is important to us as consumers, and the convenience of the Internet has only made this trend more pervasive.
The shift in consumer culture has affected the legal profession as much as any industry. Consumers are looking for ways to pick and choose legal assistance the same way they address their other purchases. They want choice, free information, fixed prices and a more hands-on approach to meeting their own needs. In the legal services marketplace, DIY legal services are more and more in demand—just look at the growth of online legal services companies such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer.
As consumers ourselves, we understand the appeal of the trend. As lawyers looking to grow our practices, though, how do we meet this need for legal services while maintaining high-quality standards for legal work and complying with our rules of professional conduct? We integrate “unbundled legal services” into our law practices.
Unbundling in the legal profession is nothing new. Also called “limited scope representation,” “disaggregated legal services” or “a la carte” legal services, unbundling is practiced by lawyers in all firm sizes—whether or not they call it by one of these names. Unbundling occurs when the lawyer takes a client’s legal need and breaks it down into separate components. The lawyer agrees to provide the client with only certain portions of legal work and the client is responsible for the rest. Forms of unbundling tend to include more transactions-based legal work, such as legal document drafting or reviewing contracts, but it may also be integrated into litigation-based practices in the form of limited appearances, coaching and strategy sessions, or discovery work. Collaborative law and alternative or online dispute resolution services may also be unbundled for clients.
ABA Model Rule 1.2(c) allows for limited scope representation if it is “reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent.” Forty-one states have adopted this rule, some verbatim and others with modifications. Many states have rules or ethics opinions regarding the practice of “ghostwriting” and limited appearances, forms of unbundling that are popular with pro se litigants. Before unbundling, check with your state’s rules and ethics opinions.
There are other best practices for avoiding malpractice when unbundling. Any lawyer unbundling must have the client sign a limited scope engagement agreement that clearly defines the scope of representation. Checklists of the client’s responsibilities and deadlines as well as general education about their legal matter are important to provide along with the agreement.
If you wish to unbundle, set up procedures for unbundling specific practice area services ahead of accepting a client for unbundling. Clients must be informed of the difference between full service and limited scope as part of the process, so they may make educated decisions about their choice in legal services. However, it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether a legal need may be unbundled or if it requires full-service representation. For example, it may not be appropriate to unbundle in certain practice areas, such as criminal defense, where the client’s interests would best be served with ongoing representation.
To tap into this legal marketplace for unbundling, many lawyers are finding ways to deliver unbundled services online through a virtual law office. Others are listing these services a la carte on their websites and will handle the unbundled services in-person at their office. Whether delivered online or in a traditional law office setting, unbundling provides us with a way of meeting the public’s need for better choice and control. It may also serve as a competitive marketing strategy for law firms wanting to get an edge in the existing legal marketplace where consumers are seeking DIY, unbundled solutions to just about everything. Lawyers who figure out how to balance unbundling with full-service offerings will have an advantage. Stop selling them eight-tracks when they only need a single.
Find more information about how to unbundle for clients, including ethics issues and best practices for unbundling, here:
Stephanie Kimbro, MA, JD, is a member of Burton Law LLC and has served clients with unbundled North Carolina estate planning services online since 2006. She is the author of the new book Limited Scope Legal Services: Unbundling and the Self-Help Client as well as Virtual Law Practice: How to Deliver Legal Services Online and the forthcoming book The Lawyer’s Guide to Online Marketing Tools, published by the ABA LPM Section. She may be reached at skimbro@burton-law.com.
Stephanie will be speaking on “The Consumer Law Revolution”—particularly how technology is changing the way lawyers provide legal services at all levels—at the upcoming College of Law Practice Management Futures Conference, October 25-26, at Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC.And, on September 6, Carolyn Elefant of My Shingle and Andrea Cannavina of Legal Typist will dig deeper into retainer agreements, including those for unbundled services at the upcoming webinar, “The Art, Science & Ethics of the 21st Century Retainer Agreement.”Sponsored Links
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Every law firm has a trust account and an operating bank account and allows clients to pay with a check or cash. But in this day, many clients also want to know, “Do you accept credit cards?” There are many options to consider when deciding if you’ll accept credit cards.
Recently I asked two groups on LinkedIn—one for small and solo law firms and one for small business owners—which service they use to accept electronic payments. The following were the top five responses.
First, though, this caveat: Before you begin using one of these services, consult your state’s ethics rules regarding electronic payments. There may be restrictions regarding which bank account you can use to accept payments using one of these services.
1. QuickBooks. If you already use QuickBooks to manage your accounts, you might consider activating QuickBooks’ Merchant Services for receiving credit cards. The basic credit card processing service has a $19.95 monthly fee plus a fee for each transaction: 1.64 percent plus 27¢ for a swiped card; 2.47 percent plus 27¢ for a keyed card. You’ll also have to pay an annual PCI-compliance fee based on your transaction volume.
The benefit of this service is it’s integrated into the QuickBooks you’re already using. Its transaction fee is lower than other services, too—but you have to balance that against the monthly fee, which could make the total cost higher than other services.
And if you want to have a card-swiper that attaches to your mobile device, QuickBooks has that, too, as part of its GoPayment service. That comes with a separate $12.95 monthly fee, plus a fee for each transaction. Check your QuickBooks support for additional options for accepting payments.
2. PayPal. PayPal is well-known and so commonly used to process payments that many clients ask, “Do you do PayPal?” It’s easy to set up a PayPal account with your email address and a bank account number. PayPal can be used to accept payments via credit cards, checks or customers’ PayPal accounts, and you can also use it to send invoices to clients. There’s no fee to set up your PayPal account and no monthly fees. You only pay a fee for each transaction. A payment up to $3,000 is 2.9 percent plus 30¢. A payment between $3,001 and $10,000 is 2.5 percent plus 30¢.
PayPal also offers a card-swiper that you can use with your iPhone, iPad or Android device. The fee to swipe a card is 2.7 percent.
3. Square. Square is a card-swiper that you can plug in and use with your iPhone, iPad or Android device. I’m seeing Square being used more and more in business. For example, I live in Phoenix where there are dozens of amazing food trucks, and I haven’t been to a truck that doesn’t use Square. Retail shops are also using Square attached to an iPad instead of having a traditional credit card processing machine. There’s no monthly fee to use Square, only a 2.75 percent per-swipe fee. They also have the option to use it for a $275/month fee and no additional charge per transaction.
The downside of using Square is you must physically swipe the person’s card. That means you can’t send clients an invoice and invite them to use Square’s website to pay it.
4. LawPay. LawPay is a payment processing service designed for lawyers. Unlike Square and PayPal, where you can only attach one bank account to your account, you can process transactions into your trust account or your operating account. It’s also set up to take all the fees for the service from your operating account, so you’ll never have to worry about inadvertently paying your processing fees with clients’ money. It costs $30 per month to use the service, and that includes online payments and the ability to separate earned and unearned portions of a single fee. There’s also a 20¢ to 25¢ fee per transaction.
5. Your bank. You can also contact the bank where you maintain your firm’s trust account and operating account and inquire about your options to receive electronic payments. Your bank may give you the ability to process payments without any additional fees. This is different from wire transfers that have fees for the sender and the recipient.
Especially if you are considering creating a virtual law office for your firm, you’ll want to explore whether your desired service comes with the ability to process credit cards and other electronic payments.
Ruth Carter is a lawyer, writer and speaker. Her virtual practice, The Carter Law Firm, focuses on intellectual property, social media, First Amendment and flash mob law. Ruth is a 2011 graduate of Arizona State University College of Law, known for her daring antics and outgoing personality, and co-founder of Improv Arizona. She also blogs weekly at UndeniableRuth.com. In her Attorney at Work column “Nothing But the Ruth,” she writes about the lessons she’s learning while building her new virtual practice.
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As a solo practitioner with a demanding work and family schedule, I’m always on the go. Between client meetings and depositions, I’m often attending parent-teacher conferences and baseball games and shuttling the kids to school, music and dance classes. My practice depends on my ability to take calls from clients, access files and handle paperwork from anywhere. I can share many horror stories about work matters completely taking over vacation or family time because of outmoded traditional communication. Luckily, I’ve found a handful of tools that solve the access problem and make my life much easier.
I love being a lawyer, but I love being a husband and father, too. Mobile technology and a few key apps allow me to stay connected from anywhere, putting me smack-dab in the middle of the boardroom—even when I’m working with my young one on a Lego project. Here are five tips I have to share with you:
1. Get a smartphone and tablet. Really. I would be lost without my iPhone and iPad. I conduct much of my business while out of the office, and these mobile devices have saved me hours, providing a robust platform of freedom and flexibility. I’m no longer coupled to my desk. Instead, I’m able to complete my duties as a husband and father while staying connected—receiving and responding to emails and correspondence from anywhere.
2. Embrace the apps. Phone, email and Internet are great, but what really makes my iPhone and iPad valuable are the apps. For example, eFax allows me to send, receive and forward faxes right from my phone, so I can review critical documents from home (or the baseball field). The documents are securely sent and stored, so I know that my client’s privacy is retained. We’re lawyers, so paperwork is a big part of our lives. But printing out, signing and faxing documents is nearly impossible from the road (unless you have a really cool van). So I also use eFax to attach an electronic signature to documents from my iPhone and iPad, and forward it on, making sure the paper trail doesn’t grow cold while I’m coaching my son’s baseball team. Another of my favorite apps is Notability, where I can add handwritten, voice and typed notes, which are then saved as PDF documents.
3. Make changes in real time. There are always changes to be made to contracts and other documents. Why not do them in real time in front of the client? Nothing says you’re on top of things like whipping out your tablet, editing the language of the clause in question, signing off on the changes and sharing the finished product with all the parties—while they are sitting right across the table from you. Personally, I really like Documents To Go for revising Microsoft Word documents and PDF PROvider to create PDFs from websites.
4. Consider the cloud. There’s not a briefcase in the world large enough to hold all my files and folders. Instead, I put everything in the cloud. Cloud storage services like Sugarsync and Dropbox secure my documents online and give me a clutter-free life, able to access any document from anywhere at any time. They also work surprisingly well with other office productivity apps, many of which sync automatically to your cloud account. Scanners, note-taking apps and the like serve as a lawyer’s office assistant on the go! (And this one never calls in sick or leaves at 5 p.m. … well, almost never.)
5. Coordinate phone and email service. I’ve set up phone calls to my office to simul-ring out to my cell phone. When a caller leaves messages for me, they are emailed so that I am always accessible and always connected when I need to be.
Scott D. Brenner is a solo practitioner in New York City and Special Counsel to Drohan Lee LLP’s Alternative Investment, Commercial Litigation, Regulatory and Corporate Governance Practice Groups. As a veteran commercial trade and business lawyer with approximately 20 years of diverse experience, he represents foreign and domestic businesses ranging in development from early and emerging growth stages, to middle market and multi-national corporations. Contact him at sbrenner@brenner-esq.com.
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