As I reflect upon the close of the 2009 calendar year and the recent memories of family yuletide, it reminds me of the feelings I had a year ago just three months after the crash in September, 2008. It's nice to put 2009 behind us and being December was our best month of the year, gives me hope for 2010. The full reality is it's a new year and we start at zero. What will we be doing this year to take ourselves to a new level? Over the past several weeks, I have found myself reevaluating employees' strength and identifying where they are best-suited. I find myself too quickly trying to "blame them" for struggles they currently have. Upon reflection, I realize the struggles employees have stem from a lack of them working within their skill set or a failure of expectations. We evaluated each employee over the last several weeks of 2009 and repositioned people into their skill set so they can work more naturally without having to feel like they're failing on a daily basis. The three elements to look at with employees are attitudes, skills, and knowledge. If they have a great attitude but are still struggling then look for their skill set. See if it is a skill set necessary for the job they are asked to perform. If they have the skills set but just are not doing it properly, then it is likely a knowledge issue. Focus on getting them the knowledge they need to do their job properly. If their attitude is poor, work with them to improve it, or, and if not corrected, consider replacing them since a poor attitude was the greatest loss of the skill sets and has the greatest impact on your firm's success.
The second preparation for the New Year was ensuring that I had budgets in place. Running a law practice without budgets is like getting up in the morning and not knowing what you're doing. It is critical in these early weeks of January we take the time to identify your revenue goals for the year and your expense goals. Profit is made by either increasing revenues or decreasing expenses. I recommend you use your 2009 numbers plus 20 percent for revenue budgets. Your expense numbers, examine them. If they are more than your revenue numbers, you must reduce them. Let me restate that. You MUST reduce them! This must be the year you get off the “hamster wheel” and start putting yourself first. It's just like the oxygen mask on an airplane, you must put your own on first. You're not good to your employees, or your family, if you're not financially well yourself. I wish all of you a prosperous, focused and happy 2010. I look forward to growing with you.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tool of the Month
The MPS Member Website is the tool of the month to start off the New Year, because if you understand this tool, and the resources it provides 2010 can and will be your best year ever..
I have been blown away by the comments after giving tours of the website, both of what members are not ware is available for them, and the impact that understanding this tool has had on the practices that understand what is available. This tool is one of the most important tools we offer, because it provides so many keys to properly implement MPS, and create your profit center.
What will you find on the MPS member website?
•24- Previously recorded Teleconferences/Webinars showing everything from how to use tools, how to create successful referral relationships, how to manage cash flow to the resolution of the MPS Private Letter Ruling! If you’re looking for Legal technical learn the how to use iPug™ protection planning, VA, and hear the answers to the top 12 most frequently asked questions. Learn Basic to advanced marketing strategies, and learn how to make your practice a successful business for your future.
•The Program- You can view as though you were sitting in the room any portion of the Profit Practice Program™, learn something new you might have missed the first time, learn how to use a new tool developed since you came through you program, or just make yourself more confident in any area of the program, whether it be legal technical, marketing, or practice efficiency.
•MPS-CCS™ training- Are you getting the most out of the new MPS-CCS™ software? There is a 90 minute training webinar available, as well as the new design templates that client’s love, and allow you to confidently delegate drafting.
• All the forms, tools, and documents. There are no more CD’s annual updates, the website has it all. When we create or enhance tools, you will get them right away after they have been successfully tested in the lab. You only get the materials that are tested and proven.
If you are not sure you are getting the most from the MPS website, attend the January MPS Monthly webinar, as Molly Hall and Phillip Miner will walk you through how to navigate the MPS member website, and show you everything that you have available to make 2010 Your Best Year Ever!
To access the member website go to: www.mpssuccess.com, and click the “My MPS Login” box on the left side of your screen. We look forward to hearing from you on January 19th.
Earn What You’re Worth
I have been blown away by the comments after giving tours of the website, both of what members are not ware is available for them, and the impact that understanding this tool has had on the practices that understand what is available. This tool is one of the most important tools we offer, because it provides so many keys to properly implement MPS, and create your profit center.
What will you find on the MPS member website?
•24- Previously recorded Teleconferences/Webinars showing everything from how to use tools, how to create successful referral relationships, how to manage cash flow to the resolution of the MPS Private Letter Ruling! If you’re looking for Legal technical learn the how to use iPug™ protection planning, VA, and hear the answers to the top 12 most frequently asked questions. Learn Basic to advanced marketing strategies, and learn how to make your practice a successful business for your future.
•The Program- You can view as though you were sitting in the room any portion of the Profit Practice Program™, learn something new you might have missed the first time, learn how to use a new tool developed since you came through you program, or just make yourself more confident in any area of the program, whether it be legal technical, marketing, or practice efficiency.
•MPS-CCS™ training- Are you getting the most out of the new MPS-CCS™ software? There is a 90 minute training webinar available, as well as the new design templates that client’s love, and allow you to confidently delegate drafting.
• All the forms, tools, and documents. There are no more CD’s annual updates, the website has it all. When we create or enhance tools, you will get them right away after they have been successfully tested in the lab. You only get the materials that are tested and proven.
If you are not sure you are getting the most from the MPS website, attend the January MPS Monthly webinar, as Molly Hall and Phillip Miner will walk you through how to navigate the MPS member website, and show you everything that you have available to make 2010 Your Best Year Ever!
To access the member website go to: www.mpssuccess.com, and click the “My MPS Login” box on the left side of your screen. We look forward to hearing from you on January 19th.
Earn What You’re Worth
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Webinar Update
Don't forget to register for our February 15th Webinar at 3:00 PM EST! "Profiting by Operating Efficiently Using the MPS 5 Key Factors." Learn more at www.mpssuccess.com!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A Letter From an MPS MIT and Medicaid Case Worker
Friends,
I got word of an application approval today! It came in an odd way. The decision maker at our state Medicaid office called to tell me that the property in my client's MIT was available for her care.
He went on to quote from the MIT. "The trust says that the income of the trust shall be paid for the benefit of the income beneficiaries and the lifetime principal of the trust shall be paid for the benefit of the lifetime principal beneficiaries."
He then went on to say that the trust names “Jane” as the lifetime beneficiary.
While I tried to get my computer (which was acting up) to bring up the document, he re-read the relevant sections out loud twice. On the second rereading he dropped his voice and said, "oh', I see what you are saying. You are right."
He had been stonewalling me for 12 months. He would not answer my phone calls, nor respond to questions. My cynical suspicion is that he was waiting for our penalty period and Medicaid annuity to run out so he could spring the bad news on me when I no longer had time to react to the problem.
Once again, the MPS process wins in the end.
~ Very Happy MPS Attorney
PS. Hey new members... this stuff really does work.
PPS. I was gracious in victory.
I got word of an application approval today! It came in an odd way. The decision maker at our state Medicaid office called to tell me that the property in my client's MIT was available for her care.
He went on to quote from the MIT. "The trust says that the income of the trust shall be paid for the benefit of the income beneficiaries and the lifetime principal of the trust shall be paid for the benefit of the lifetime principal beneficiaries."
He then went on to say that the trust names “Jane” as the lifetime beneficiary.
While I tried to get my computer (which was acting up) to bring up the document, he re-read the relevant sections out loud twice. On the second rereading he dropped his voice and said, "oh', I see what you are saying. You are right."
He had been stonewalling me for 12 months. He would not answer my phone calls, nor respond to questions. My cynical suspicion is that he was waiting for our penalty period and Medicaid annuity to run out so he could spring the bad news on me when I no longer had time to react to the problem.
Once again, the MPS process wins in the end.
~ Very Happy MPS Attorney
PS. Hey new members... this stuff really does work.
PPS. I was gracious in victory.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Transition from Attorney to Entrepreneur
Take Control in 2010- The Cheese Has Moved
The cataclysmic change in the American economy over the last year has changed everything! The way we must operate as attorneys, the thought process clients use to purchase our services and the value we are able to show them, is all different. In 2010, you must be prepared to lead, follow or get out of the way.
In my experience over this past year, it has become clear that this new economy is all about being responsive. People are not waiting for you to return calls. You must be prepared when the calls come in, no whining or you will be left behind.
To be a leader, you must proceed with confidence in the face of uncertainty! Today’s economy demands a high attention to customer satisfaction and service, not from your perspective, but from theirs! So how do you maintain confidence and lead in 2010? Let MPS™ be your guide. The best way to maintain your confidence is to associate with other who have it. The MPS™ members have created an organization of the highest integrity with tremendous abundance to support their fellow members. I encourage you to continue to utilize the list serve and MPS™ tools and support your friends in the MPS™ community. Second and most importantly, follow the process. Don’t reinvent it, don’t twitch it. As Dan Sullivan said, be stupid! Just do it. I have tested and tried these processes in my active practice every day and they are working. Throughout 2010 we will be bringing you new ideas that we are currently trying and having success with. Stay connected and follow the process.
In all change, there is a winner and a loser. You determine what side you’re on. Stay focused, stay committed, stay confident and stay on process and your success will result. If you always do what you’ve always done, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. In 2010 make a choice to hear. Remember the E-Myth by Michael Gerber, “For a successful small business, you must be an entrepreneur, manager and technician.” To ensure you’re doing this properly in 2010, I encourage you to calendar days of the week that you will be acting in each of those roles and stick to it. Ensure you have at least 2 ½ days a week where you are acting as entrepreneur (seeking out new business); 2 days a week to do work; and one day a week to manage yourself by planning and managing your company. Take Control of 2010! Lead, Follow or Get Out Of the Way!
The cataclysmic change in the American economy over the last year has changed everything! The way we must operate as attorneys, the thought process clients use to purchase our services and the value we are able to show them, is all different. In 2010, you must be prepared to lead, follow or get out of the way.
In my experience over this past year, it has become clear that this new economy is all about being responsive. People are not waiting for you to return calls. You must be prepared when the calls come in, no whining or you will be left behind.
To be a leader, you must proceed with confidence in the face of uncertainty! Today’s economy demands a high attention to customer satisfaction and service, not from your perspective, but from theirs! So how do you maintain confidence and lead in 2010? Let MPS™ be your guide. The best way to maintain your confidence is to associate with other who have it. The MPS™ members have created an organization of the highest integrity with tremendous abundance to support their fellow members. I encourage you to continue to utilize the list serve and MPS™ tools and support your friends in the MPS™ community. Second and most importantly, follow the process. Don’t reinvent it, don’t twitch it. As Dan Sullivan said, be stupid! Just do it. I have tested and tried these processes in my active practice every day and they are working. Throughout 2010 we will be bringing you new ideas that we are currently trying and having success with. Stay connected and follow the process.
In all change, there is a winner and a loser. You determine what side you’re on. Stay focused, stay committed, stay confident and stay on process and your success will result. If you always do what you’ve always done, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. In 2010 make a choice to hear. Remember the E-Myth by Michael Gerber, “For a successful small business, you must be an entrepreneur, manager and technician.” To ensure you’re doing this properly in 2010, I encourage you to calendar days of the week that you will be acting in each of those roles and stick to it. Ensure you have at least 2 ½ days a week where you are acting as entrepreneur (seeking out new business); 2 days a week to do work; and one day a week to manage yourself by planning and managing your company. Take Control of 2010! Lead, Follow or Get Out Of the Way!
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