Bylined Pieces

As appeared on LinkedIn on March 15, 2023.   The author Seth Godin said, "Every interaction, in any form, is branding." I agree. What is a personal brand, and what is a corporate brand? Brand lies somewhere in the asphalt intersection of those messages we disseminate to the world, what we want our customers, clients and friends to believe, and,…

As appeared on LinkedIn on March 13, 2023.  What I wish I could tell each brand-new professional is this. Your future is next to you...right now. Each year I meet with newly-minted law firm partners with whom I find myself thinking, I wish I had met you ten years earlier. I would have loved to be able to share these…

At a time when legal services can often be seen as interchangeable, whether choosing between two law firms or deciding between a law firm and an alternative legal service provider, the quality of client service can be a significant distinguishing factor.   On February 16th, I joined Ilene Marquardt of Wells Fargo and Elena Antonetti of Travelers for a special…

From the February 13, 2023 edition of The American Lawyer.  In-house consultant Susan Hackett and legal marketing consultant Deborah Farone offer examples of what happens when the industry focuses on small tweaks, collaboration with colleagues and clients, and adds in a dash of empathy. A recent Law.com piece, “Rising Client Expectations Escalate Pressures on Law Firms” by Jessie Yount and Hugo Guzman,…

As featured on LinkedIn, January 4, 2023.  We've seen this story before: A firm decides it's time for a change. "It's a new year." "We have a shiny new strategic plan." "We've elected a new chairperson or marketing committee." I am often called into these firms to look at their marketing departments and the effectiveness of the CMO. Yet, before…

As featured on LinkedIn, November 22, 2022. If I knew then what I know now. It was great to have the chance to speak to a group of terrific young women undergrads at Cornell University as part of the Forte Foundation program. Thank you, Tatum Shearer (a junior, graduating in 2024), for the lovely invitation. The topics ranged from careers,…

As featured in PM Magazine, July/August, 2022. Talented people, check.  Great technology, check. Partners love them, check. It sounds like your firm’s marketing and business development department is buzzing away. Yet, just like any organisation, it’s essential to take a good look at the indicators of  your operation’s health to ensure its wellbeing for the future. There are seven factors…

As featured on LinkedIn, June 6, 2022. Why are so many executives asking questions about the craft of personal branding? Does this require posting on Instagram 4 times a day, or launching a dedicated You Tube channel? Does it involve a personal shopper? Personal branding is an outgrowth of professional services marketing.  While most of us in the field started off…

As featured on LinkedIn, June 1, 2022. What is it that holds women back from developing new business? A glass ceiling? No, a wood office door. During the last few decades, generally those in heels were not the first ones invited to a new business pitch. Men were in the majority when it came to dealing with clients and choosing teams…