Barbara Walters Price

Links for Today

Tom Antion of Great Public Speaking Blog gives us links to nine articles on the topic of why powerpoint stinks.

Jane Genova agrees that powerpoint has overstayed its welcome and advises her CEO clients to go back to flip charts and markers.  She believes they will be heralded as sales geniuses and she's probably right.

I ranted about powerpoint a while back and advocated speaking naked.  If you want to know what I meant, read the post.

Thom Singer, a CMO and author of "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Keep and Grow Your Business Relationships", had a great post entitled "In-House vs. Out-Sourcing Your Marketing" (scroll down for it and check out his guest contributors post about fishing).  As Thom says: "I believe that the only way to gain more business is for you and your co-workers to invest the time to personally build relationships with your clients, prospects and other VIP's in your industry. Having someone on the inside can help keep you focused. There are no shortcuts."  Amen.

I've been delinquent in linking to Tom Kane's late August post "Does Your Firm Have a Marketing Committee? Too Bad."  Another Amen from the choir.

According the the Boston Globe, Mexican restaurateurs are about to descend upon the city because they believe it's devoid of good Mexican food.  Hmmm.  When I'm in Boston, I always want clam chowder but I'm up for a good margarita any day!  New Englanders, enjoy the quesadillas.

Cycling back to presentations, check out Presentation Zen's "The '[Seth] Godin Method' of presentation design."  And, I'll leave you with a quote from Seth (he said it when speaking about making a speech but it certainly has broader applicability):

"It seems to me that if you're not wasting your time and mine, you're here to get me to change my mind, to do something different. And that, my friend, is selling. If you're not trying to persuade, why are you here?"

Have a great weekend!

"Marketing Catalyst" Newest Addition to Blogroll

Many of you are probably already aware of Marketing Catalyst, Bruce Allen's blog.  Per Bruce:

At the Marketing Catalyst blog I share what I find and what I think I know about marketing and sales of legal and accounting services (professional services).

He knows a lot.  So much that I'm adding his blog to my blogroll. 

I love the tagline to his blog:

find :: know :: create :: act :: repeat

Check out Marketing Catalyst if you haven't already.

Public Speaking Tip: Presentation Tool You MUST Have

If you give speeches or intend to give speeches, here is a resource you must have - a wireless RemotePoint Presenter from Interlink Electronics.  We use one here at Mercer Capital and wonder how we ever got along without it! (I'm telling you about this particular device because we love it.  There are other wireless devices out there but I know this one works!  We don't receive any kickbacks or consideration from the manufacturer or resellers.)

You save your presentation on a USB device that comes with the RemotePoint Presenter so you don't have to lug your laptop.  Just plug in the USB and you're ready to go.  It's wireless so you can control your presentation without being tied to a laptop.  It allows you to forward through your slides as well as go backwards.  It's got a neat "hide" button that blackens the screen.  And it also has a laser pointer.  It's all-in-one and very impressive to your audience. 

Here is the official marketing language on the RemotePointer Presenter:

Interlink VP4300 Remote Point Presenter
RemotePoint Presenter takes the sleek ergonomics of the RemotePoint Navigator to the next level. In addition to its polished metal, icon-studded control keys for Slide Forward, Slide Back and Slide Hide and Laser Pointer functions, Presenter offers 360-degree cursor control, a patented ClickTrigger primary click button, a user-assignable "hot key" with a toolkit of software presentation effects, and 32 megabytes of onboard storage to take presentation on the road.

Presenter's 100 RF wireless range means that no matter where you’re facing in the room, your slides will advance on cue—every time. Installation? Just plug in the USB receiver and go! 

RemotePoint Presenter has received Laptop Magazine's Ultimate Choice and Presentations  Magazine's Standing Ovation awards, 2004.

You can buy it directly from Interlink Electronics ($199), or from Amazon ($109), or from TigerDirect ($139).  I'm sure there are other resellers.  Might be a good idea to do a little research.

For more info as to how is works, see the User's Guide (in a .pdf file).

And, here's a more detailed picture (click on it to enlarge):

If you want to take your presentations up a notch, invest in this product or one like it.  You won't be disappointed.

A Calling Card vs. a Business Card

On the Crane & Co. website, I came across a section for calling cards (no, not the 21st century kind that allow you to make long-distance phone calls).  I'm speaking of the 19th century kind that served as an imperative part of introductions, invitations and welcomed visits.

According to Crane & Company's website:

Calling cards are the perfect way to stylishly leave your contact information or email address with a friend or new acquaintance. When the moment calls for a card, but a business card is too businessy, you might want to have a set of personal calling cards.

In your community involvement activities, this might be an interesting way to differentiate yourself.  I am a board member of Girls, Inc. and the board is made up of other often well-connected professionals.  I can see the possibility of using these cards in this situation.

Any other suggestions of how these cards might be appropriate?   

(And for those of you interested in the customs of the 19th century and the etiquette regarding calling cards, see this link.  Thank heavens we're past this.)

Business Development Blog for Law Firm Associates Launched

Larry Bodine and Mike Cummings have launched a new blog called Associate Marketing Mentor.  As Larry states:

Marketing expert Mike Cummings and I created it in response to the survey results showing that partners, marketers and the associates themselves realize that business development is now an essential skill for law firm associates.

There is very little information to be found on BD for associates, so the blog is designed to fill the void, offer practical advice, and spotlight associates who succeed at generating new business.  We started by publishing the survey results on the blog and just added an 'Associate Marketing checklist.'

I visited the blog and read through the "Associate Marketing Checklist."  While the blog is aimed at associates in law firms, many of the items on the checklist can pertain to CPAs, business appraisers, engineers, and architects, among others. 

I'll add this site to my news aggregator and look forward to future posts.  Check it out. 

Marketers Using Skills to Help Katrina Victims

This is an interesting read from Marketing Sherpa:

Guerilla Marketing to Aid Katrina Victims

The article is summarized:

Have you ever wanted to use your marketing skills to help mankind (instead of just your employer's bottom line)?
Get inspired by this Case Study of six marketers who are currently putting in 40-hour weeks -- in addition to their regular day jobs -- to help Katrina victims find housing.
Includes notes on how blog mentions can turn into a wave of public interest.

Take a moment to read it.

Correspondence Cards: Ideas and Resources

Kudos to Tom Kane at the Legal Marketing Blog for reminding us of the importance of a handwritten note.  Tom says:

In building client relationships (the best way to keep and build your client base), it can’t be overstated how important and effective personal handwritten notes can be in setting you apart from the crowd. In today’s hectic world – what with billable hours, family commitments, just finding time to get through all the emails and other clutter that impacts our lives – there is little wonder why we overlook a forgotten method of communication that can truly make a difference. Think how you feel when you receive a handwritten note.

For years, I've used 4.25" x 5.5" notecard (or correspondence card) on premium ivory stationery with my name embossed across the top.  The envelopes match and have my return address on the flap.

I use them to say thank you or just thinking about you. 

I find the notecard works best for me because it is professional and a manageable size, i.e., while my notes are personal they can be short.  A larger card or piece of stationery would compel me to fill the page (but maybe that's just me).  However, it's not the length of the note but the thought and effort behind it that counts.

You can check with your local quick printer for options or order via the internet.  I've listed a few internet sources below that you might find useful. (Caveat:  These suggestions come with NO warranties whatsoever.  They are merely presented for your convenience.  I trust you will do the due diligence required before ordering.)

It's important to remember not to skimp on the paper stock.  Go for medium or heavy stock if you are ordering notecards.  Quality should be your goal.  And, for most of us, it's always best to choose either a white or ivory stock.

• Notecards from Finest Stationery
• Alden Grace Fine Stationery (WSJ Quality: Best Value pick)
• Crane & Co.

Order today and begin to watch the enhancement of your business relationships as you send these handwritten notes.

The Revised Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen Covey, move over. 

The Revised 7 Habits of Highly Successful People

Ain't it the truth!

Nod to The Non-Billable Hour for the link.

Email Makes You Stupid

There was an interesting tidbit on page 38 of the October 2005 issue of Fast Company.  My comments follow in parentheses:

If you're spending more than five minutes on an email, make it a phone call.  Then follow up with a tactical email.  (Nothing beats a human touch and email doesn't qualify.)

A recent study shows that constantly checking email, voice mail, and so on temporarily lowers your IQ more than smoking marijuana does.  "Email makes you dumb," says Alan L. Nelson, a partner in the communication strategy consultancy CRA Inc.  (What recent study?  Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if this is true.  However, I would argue that most of us constantly check voice mail and email to (1) make us appear busier (and more important) than we are, and (2) as a procrastination device.  Turn off the automatic email reminder and check voice mail only twice a day at pre-determined times.)

If you want to be productive, it helps to eliminate constant distractions. (Duh!)

Bottom line: use your time wisely and don't be seduced by the technology surrounding you that is there to supposedly make your life simpler and more productive.  And while you're at it, turn off the TV and laptop at night and read a book.  You'll be a much more interesting person.

Quoted in Blogging Article

Chris Mercer, my CEO and writer of Mercer on Value, and I were quoted in an article entitled "To Blog or Not to Blog" in the Summer 2005 issue of The ASA Professional, a quarterly magazine published by the American Society of Appraisers.

In our profession, business appraisal, Chris is leading the blogging charge.  His blog is a strategic piece of Mercer Capital's marketing plan.  It is our attempt to reach a broader audience with a broader message and so far has been successful for us and that success is growing.  We were interviewed about Chris' blog and our blogging strategy.

For those professionals interested, I reproduce "Mercer Capital's 5 P's of Blogging":

1. Platform - Find a platform that is easy to use and that also suits your needs.  Since Mercer on Value needed to complement our visual brand identity, we hired a designer.  We also wanted to get a quick start right out of the gate, so we hired a blogging consultant.  Both were good decisions.
2. Purpose - Understand your purpose.  Chris recommends that anyone considering starting a blog should talk to 20 people and articulate it 20 times so that you define the purpose of your blog.
3. People - Make sure you know your audience and who your blog will target.
4. Practice - Before you engage in the expense and fanfare of announcing your blog, actually write 10 posts.  This gives you content when your blog is launched and gives you some practice writing and an understanding of what it takes to provide consistent content.
5. Patience - Commit to at least one year of blogging.  Know that a blog is not a short-term fix to anyone's marketing program.

For those in the American Society of Appraisers, you can find the article on pages 29-31.