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16 September 2010 / Mike Jones
Issue: 7433 / Categories: Features , Profession , Marketing
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Improving performance

Activity, ability & focus: Mike Jones discusses the key steps to increasing market share

Lawyers do not like the term “sales”. In recent years they have accommodated—in some cases embraced—business development and marketing. But, please, don’t mention the “s” word. This prejudice towards sales has meant that firms and individuals have been slow to grasp the concept of sales, sales performance, and sales management. As a result much of the “prep” work done via business development and marketing is wasted.

A different art

Selling is not marketing. It is not “business development” either—this label simply adds to the confusion. The role of marketing in law firms is to create goodwill. The role of selling is to convert that goodwill into fees. The term “business development” is often used to avoid the dreaded “s” word, however it is also used to describe the entire sales and marketing continuum, and therein lies the confusion. This lack of clear definition leads to misunderstandings and misplaced strategies.

Most law firms focus time and money on just one

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Ogier—Martin Livingston

Ogier—Martin Livingston

Martin Livingston joins Ogier in Cayman to strengthen regulatory support

Blake Morgan—47 promotions

Blake Morgan—47 promotions

Blake Morgan announces 47 summer promotions across UK offices

NEWS
Consultant-led law firms should prepare for closer regulatory attention as oversight evolves
Artificial intelligence may draft workplace grievances, but employers cannot treat them any differently from conventional complaints
From dishonest claimants to judicial promotions and procedural skirmishes, the latest legal developments offer plenty for litigators to digest
Fresh guidance is set to influence how courts decide whether hearings take place online or in person
County Court judges remain divided over whether landlords can lawfully force entry to carry out essential safety inspections after tenants ignore access injunctions
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