Recently in Job satisfaction Category

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "Many of you are like me in that you went to law school with the idea that as a lawyer you would be able to help people and make a difference in your community. Then you started your law practice with a firm and rarely have the feeling that you are actually helping people and making a difference in your community. So you look for non-billable ways to get involved..."

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Source: Law Consulting Blog, 2 September 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Penelope Trunk: "It is harder to know who you are than it is to be who you are. Everyone says, "The important thing is to be yourself!"  I say that when I give them career advice. People like you better when you are being authentic. Gay people do better in their careers when they are out of the closet. Women do better at work if they are feminine at work instead of trying to be like the guys.

But there is very little advice on HOW to be yourself.

1. Don't be boring...

2. Try a range of tools to express who you are...

3. Understand how people perceive what you put out there..."

Full text and active links are available by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Brazen Careerist, 30 August 2010. © 2009 Penelope Trunk, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Randall Ryder: "Litigation attorneys engage in contentious battles to get the best outcomes for their clients. Many times, however, lawyers can get so engaged in the case that they lose sight of their client's goals. Never forget that your job is help your client achieve their goals..."

Three gentle reminders can by found by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Lawyerist.com, 18 August 2010.  Lawyerist Media, LLC.  Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "Some time ago I did a mentoring program for  a group of  junior associates. During the program I was asked:

1. How can you attract the attention of a mentor without damaging your image within the firm by appearing that you are needy and desperate for career help?
2. How do you find a mentor when no one has a shingle outside their door that says "Mentor available"?
3. What is the best way to develop a meaningful mentoring relationship?

My Thoughts on Mentoring from Mentees' Perspective..."

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Source: Law Consulting Blog, 6 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

In the news: "Assignment management -- time management in law firm speak -- is probably the key to success for a junior associate, say Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis' Colleen P. France and Joseph J. Anclien. They discuss what you can do to stand out and help yourself get more work."

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Source: Law.Com's Daily Legal Newswire. 12 August 2010. Copyright 2009.  ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscribe <http://store.law.com/registration/register.asp?subscribeto=nw>.

This post was written by Susan Cartier Liebel: "This vintage post from Men with Pens addresses a very big issue solo practitioners face; too many things to do, not enough time.  The end result, lost time, brain drain and at a significant cost to your business and personal life:

Read "Seven Ways to Battle Productivity Brain Drain" by clicking on the author's name above.

Source: Build a Solo Practice, 9 August 2010. © SPU 2010 Susan Cartier Liebel, reproduced with permission. 

This post was written by Allison Shields: "Suddenly I've realized that it's almost August and the summer is rapidly slipping away. There were some things I wanted to accomplish this summer that just haven't gotten done yet. How about you? Did you have goals and aspirations for 2010? Have you made any progress on them? If not, why not?

Maybe your personal productivity is suffering..."

Continue reading this interesting post for two good sources of answers by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Legal Ease Blog, 29 July 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "I still know a number of you who are not setting goals. I am hopeful that if you read what scientists have written, it might give you an idea of why setting goals is important and how to do it.

Edwin A. Locke and Gary P. Latham, both professors, have summarized 35 years of empirical research on goal-setting theory in a professional paper titled: Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation. Here is what they found:..."

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Source: Law Consulting Blog, 27 July 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Michelle Golden: "Received a forwarded article today from pal Rob Nance of AccountingWEB fame. So good, I thought I'd share it with you. 

It's from Amex Open Forum and it's entitled "6 Things to Think About on Your Summer Vacation" by Jane Applegate.

It is somewhat marketing related...

CLIENT SELECTION

#1 on Jane's list is "Stop working with anyone that gives you a headache or stomachache" 

My take: this applies to clients AND employees. Bummer customers suck you dry. Bummer employees suck everyone in your organization dry (one rotten apple spoils the barrel) AND they don't represent you well externally, either.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

#2 is "Admit that everything takes three times as long and costs twice as much."

My take: this pertains to the expectation setting you should do when committing to work, the pricing you give to your customer, and meeting delivery terms.

KNOW YOUR MARKETPLACE

#3 is "Don't operate your business in a vaccuum." 

My take: pay attention to what others (your competitors, yes, but also companies you aspire to emulate from a service and impression standpoint) say and do..."

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Source: Golden Practices Blog, 16 July 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

In the news: "Even for young lawyers, creating and maintaining a solid public reputation is as important as traditional lawyering skills, according to consultants Michelle Samuels and Shannon K. Stevens. They discuss several methods to help get attorneys started on the path to reputation management."

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Source: Law.Com's Daily Legal Newswire. 14 July 2010. Copyright 2009.  ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscribe <http://store.law.com/registration/register.asp?subscribeto=nw>.