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    Archive for July, 2010
    Tip: Composing an E-Mail Without Leaving MS Word
    Friday, July 23rd, 2010

    ♫ You know its gonna make it that much better

    Wouldn’t it be nice …♫

    Music and Lyrics by: Brian Wilson, Tony Asher, Mike Love, recorded by The Beach Boys.

    Reba Nance

    Reba Nance

    This is a “Tip” from my colleague and friend, Reba Nance, who is a fellow PMA (Practice Management Advisor) for the Colorado Bar Association:

    How to compose and send an E-Mail Without Ever Leaving Microsoft Word from Word 2007, 2003 and 2000:

    Many of us spend much of our time in Word. Wouldn’t it be nice to easily compose and send an e-mail in Word rather than having to minimize Word, open Outlook to send the message, and then go back to Word? Here’s how to do it in Word 2003 and earlier versions: (more…)

    Posted in Make it Work!, Technology, Tips | Permalink | 3 Comments »
    Energizers and Sappers…
    Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

    ♫ Taking all of my energy, energy, energy
    Taking all of my energy…♫

    Lyrics and Music by: Louis Biancaniello, Rico Love, Sam Watters, Wayne Wilkins; recorded by: Keri Hilson.

    Energizer Bunny

    Energizer Bunny

    This guest post is courtesy of Beth Flynn of the Ohio State University Leadership Center and is one of her “Leadership Moments” emails. The OSU Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world.

    In theory, every person on your team is a source of energy for your organization. But in reality, some team members create energy while others sap or destroy energy. If you know your team well, you already know which team members are sappers and which ones are the energizers.

    High-energy performers test the limits and spur themselves and others on to even greater results. These are the people who will push you up and add energy to your reservoir. They spark others to perform. It’s fun to watch them in action. A team full of energized people is typically easy to motivate but challenging to manage because their high energy level requires constant direction and focus. (more…)

    Posted in Firm Governance, Leadership and Strategic Planning, personal focus and renewal, Trends | Permalink | 2 Comments »
    Can One be Too Frugal?
    Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

    ♬ Your a mean one, Mr. Grinch
    You really are a heel
    Your as cuddly as a cactus
    Your as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch…♬

    Lyrics by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, music by Albert Hague, performed by Thurl Ravenscroft.

    Mr. Grinch by Dr. Seuss

    Mr. Grinch by Dr. Seuss

    Anyone who runs a business knows that it is profitable only if you have funds left over after paying all the bills. This enforces a common-sense mentality in ensuring that your costs don’t get out of control. However, in some offices the principle of saving money is taken to such an extreme that their frugality is actually costing them money. Here are some examples (drawn from the collective experiences of my fellow Practice Management Advisors and myself): (more…)

    Posted in Budgeting, humour, Issues facing Law Firms, Law Firm Strategy, personal focus and renewal, Technology, Tips, Trends | Permalink | 1 Comment »
    HST Resources
    Friday, July 2nd, 2010

    ♫ Can’t pay tax
    Won’t pay tax..♫

    Lyrics, music and recorded by Chaos UK.

    HST Flowchart

    HST Flowchart

    Well the HST on legal services is now a reality in BC and in Ontario.

    The CRA’s  publication:

    Ontario and British Columbia:  Transition to the Harmonized Sales Tax – Services has the displayed flowchart in Appendix A – Transitional rules for services.

    A PDF version of this diagram can be downloaded here: HST Flowchart PDF

    This flowchart helps clarify the issue as to when HST or GST (and PST for those in BC) applies to legal services. The publication is: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gi/gi-056/gi-056-e.html (more…)

    Posted in Change Management, Firm Governance, Issues facing Law Firms, Tips, Trends | Permalink | No Comments »