Comments on: Could you be unemployable? It’s up to you. http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/02/could-you-be-unemployable-its-up-to-you/ Attorney development coaching for associates and partners Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Julie Fleming-Brown http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/02/could-you-be-unemployable-its-up-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-3246 Julie Fleming-Brown Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:59:51 +0000 http://www.lifeatthebar.com/blog/?p=433#comment-3246 The #1 thing I'd suggest for you on business development is to change your attitude about what activities can bring in clients. Yes, golf and fancy dinners and cocktail parties are "traditional" routes, but they are by no means the only ones! And you don't have to be a schmoozer to get clients. I'm an introvert as well, and I've found a bunch of ways to get clients -- including writing, networking, bar association involvement, community involvement, and so on. Some may work well for you, others may not work at all, depending on your interests and your practice area. To get started, I'd recommend that you read some rainmaking books. I recommend Jim Hassett's Legal Business Development: A Step by Step Guide. You'll get a lot of good ideas there, and I would guess that you'll get ideas of rainmaking activities that would be a better fit for you. You might also visit click on the Client Development category (in the far righthand column) to see past suggestions I've made. The #1 thing I’d suggest for you on business development is to change your attitude about what activities can bring in clients. Yes, golf and fancy dinners and cocktail parties are “traditional” routes, but they are by no means the only ones! And you don’t have to be a schmoozer to get clients. I’m an introvert as well, and I’ve found a bunch of ways to get clients — including writing, networking, bar association involvement, community involvement, and so on. Some may work well for you, others may not work at all, depending on your interests and your practice area.

To get started, I’d recommend that you read some rainmaking books. I recommend Jim Hassett’s Legal Business Development: A Step by Step Guide. You’ll get a lot of good ideas there, and I would guess that you’ll get ideas of rainmaking activities that would be a better fit for you. You might also visit click on the Client Development category (in the far righthand column) to see past suggestions I’ve made.

]]> By: Cato http://lifeatthebar.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/02/could-you-be-unemployable-its-up-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-3245 Cato Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:24:21 +0000 http://www.lifeatthebar.com/blog/?p=433#comment-3245 So what does a smart, hard-working, pleasant, socially awkward, shy, 5th year associate do when he is getting hammered for not making rain? I am never going to be good at bringing in business because I am not a "schmoozer"--i don't like golf, fancy dinners, and abhor cocktail parties. So what does a smart, hard-working, pleasant, socially awkward, shy, 5th year associate do when he is getting hammered for not making rain? I am never going to be good at bringing in business because I am not a “schmoozer”–i don’t like golf, fancy dinners, and abhor cocktail parties.

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