New Location for the Perimeter NNB

We are changing the location of the Perimeter NNB to the Panera Bread at 4531 Olde Perimeter Way, Atlanta, GA, 30346, across from the Perimeter Mall near the large Target complex.  We look forward to seeing you there on July 8, 2009, at 7:45 am.

New Ideas for the Perimeter NNB

We had a great discussion on what we would like to see our NNB accomplish during the next year.  This next year we will include discussions on specific topics plus time for socializing and working together on a community service project.   Below is the complete list of ideas, if you have any other suggestions let me know.

1.   Topics for discussion:  marketing; internet social networking/marketing; how to get and give referrals; business management; mentoring; break into small groups for discussions or networking.

2.   After work social.

3.   Continue to draw business cards for individual meetings to develop stronger relationships.

4.   Support of the GAWL Foundation through the GAWL Ball or other activity.

5.   Local community service project – possibly with another NNB.

We will continue to meet throughout the summer, so I look forward to seeing you soon.

Kathy

Perimeter NNB First Anniversary!

Congratulations!   We have finished our first year as the Perimeter NNB. Let’s take a look at what we have accomplished and what we would like to see in the coming year.

Come prepared to share TWO things you would like to take away from our breakfast this next year and we’ll see if we can make it happen. Maybe you are looking for more networking tips or you are new to the area and want to know what attorneys do for fun. Whatever is on your wish list, we’ll talk about ways we can meet your needs.  

And if you know of another attorney who lives in, works in or drives through the Perimeter area, please invite her to join us!

Alon’s is directly across from the Perimeter Mall in the Park Place Shopping Center at 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, 30346.  Each participant pays for her own breakfast.  RSVP’s not necessary,but appreciated. 

Hope to see you Wednesday,

Kathy

The Art of Negotiation – Join Us!

How do you negotiate for your clients?  For yourself?  What skills do you bring to the table?  Join us at the next Neighborhood Networking Breakfast to learn some new tips on the Art of Negotiation.  Come prepared to share a negotiating tip or success.  To build on last month’s topic,remember that a negotiating success should become a part of your brag list and be woven into an appropriate bragologue.

 

Please join us at Alon’s Bakery at 7:45 am on Wednesday, April 8, 2009.  Alon’s is directly across from the Perimeter Mall in the Park Place Shopping Center 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, 30346.  Each participant pays for her own breakfast.  RSVP’s not necessary,but appreciated.  at

 

 

Not a GAWL member?  Come and see what we are all about or go to GAWL for more information.

Perimeter not convenient for you?  GAWL has several NNBs and there is sure to be one near you.  See  GAWL Neighborhood Network Breakfasts for more information.

 

Upcoming Events:

You are cordially invited to the GAWL Annual Dinner and Meeting, Tuesday, May 6, 6:00 pm at Maggiano’s in Buckhead. Click here for more information and to register!

March NNB Meeting Topic: Bragging!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone knew how great we are at what we do without having to say a word?  But the truth is, even your best friend doesn’t know how well you handle your business unless you “brag” on yourself.  Yes, that four letter word that makes you cringe and brings images of unpleasant, pushy people to mind.  Peggy Klaus’ book “Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It” encourages the use of a “bragologue” – a short, enthusiastic, story of your strengths and accomplishments.

 

The fact is, in today’s market, remaining quiet about yourself or downplaying your successes, handicaps your ability to network for new business or snag that new job.  This month we will talk about bragging myths, bragging in a tasteful way, and how to develop a bragologue that can be used as an elevator introduction.

 

I hope you can join us at Alon’s Bakery at 7:45 am on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.  Alon’s is directly across from the Perimeter Mall in the Park Place Shopping Center 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, 30346.  Each participant pays for her own breakfast.  RSVP’s not necessary, but appreciated.

 

Not a GAWL member?  Come and see what we are all about or go to GAWL for more information.  Perimeter not convenient for you?  GAWL has several NNBs and there is sure to be one near you.  See  GAWL Neighborhood Network Breakfasts for more information.

 

Upcoming Events:

GAWL Foundation Art Auction, Saturday, March 7.  The doors open at 7 p.m., and the live auction begins at 8 p.m. If you register in advance at www.gawl.org, $50 buys your admission to a great auction with unlimited food and beverage (it will be $60 at the door).

 

I hope to see you there!

Kathy

Perimeter Network Meeting – Wednesday, February 11

Have you realized that in a “sluggish” economy (or is it officially a “recession” now) networking is an inexpensive way to market yourself to others within GAWL?  If yes, you are in luck! 

Join us for the next Perimeter Neighborhood Network breakfast where the topic for discussion will be:  Your 2009 goals and resolutions (business or personal) and how we can help each other meet them.  Remember to bring two business cards. 

 

We meet at Alon’s Bakery at 7:45 am on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.  Alon’s is directly across from the Perimeter Mall in the Park Place Shopping Center at 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, 30346.  Each participant pays for her own breakfast and please RSVP to me so that we have enough seats.  
 

Not a GAWL member?  Come and see what we are all about or go to GAWL for more information.

Perimeter not convenient for you?  GAWL has several NNBs and there is sure to be one near you.  See  GAWL Neighborhood Network Breakfasts for more information. 

 

Upcoming Events: 

NAWL:  GAWL proudly sponsors the Mid-Year Meeting of the National Association of Women Lawyers! Join us on February 5^th (8:15 am – 7:30 pm) at Twelve at Atlantic Station for an exciting program that includes CLE topics on leadership, career paths, and the economy as well as a luncheon and an evening reception.

GAWL Mentoring Circles:  The Mentoring Committee of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers will complete registration for Mentoring Circles on February 28, 2009.  Each circle will consist of approximately 10 members of different practice areas and practice levels who meet informally once a month to share experiences in a confidential environment and provide mutual support in professional and personal development.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Cheryl Legare at cblegare@buckleyklein.com.

Hope to see you there!  And please feel free to pass this invitation along to other GAWL members who might be interested.

 

Kathy

 

Managing Your Internet Presence-Meeting Notes

After intros, Cordelia Blake did a presentation on How To Manage Your Internet Presence For Attorneys. You can download a copy of the handout as a .pdf file or read the content here:

Internet Presence is the Art Of Marketing You!

• It is what people learn when they research you online
• Clients and referral sources Google you before meetings
• It’s what makes you different, special, interesting, competent, fun, friendly, successful, altruistic, and/or philanthropic that improves your professional reputation
• People want to know your name, achievements, hobbies, groups, family accomplishments and relevant opinions
• Legal marketing tends to be firm oriented and client centered
• Referrals can be a huge source of revenue for attorneys
• Your firm website can be the anchor of your Internet presence only if you have any control over it and like it
• SEO-Stands for “Search Engine Optimization” and is the art of getting your website listed in the top section of the first page of search engine results
• YourName.com: is a valuable asset, owning it is like insurance
• Amazon.com – book reviews rank very well
• LinkedIn.com – Can be as simple as an online “black book” or an important source of information and referrals. It has tremendous ranking-even for common names.
• Google Local Business Center – this free service allows you to be listed on the Google map when someone searches for your business type and location
• Facebook & MySpace – can be valuable but can also be extremely time consuming.
• Blogs, Podcasts, & Twitter can be incredibly time consuming. Only start them if you enjoy the process and have the time.
  If you like the blogosphere you can enter by leaving insightful comments on others blogs and include a link to your website or linked in profile in the signature.

Where In The Internet Are YOU?

• Firm Website
• Google
• Paid listing sites
• Professional Organization Sites
• LinkedIn*
• Amazon.com*
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Google local business*
• Twitter
• Blog & Blog comments
• Podcasts
• Eletter

* Top 3 FREE Online Tools To Manage Your Internet Presence!

“Marketing is not an event, but a PROCESS… It has a beginning, a middle, but never an end, for it is a process. You improve it, perfect it, change it, even pause it. But you never stop it completely.
-Jay Conrad Levinson, author, Gorilla Marketing

“You can be the driver of your reputation or the passive recipient-which do you choose?”
-Cordelia Blake

Jan 14th Meeting

The next GAWL Perimeter Neighborhood Networking Breakfast at Alon’s Bakery on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:45 a.m.   Alon’s is directly across from the Perimeter Mall in the Park Place Shopping Center.  The address is 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, 30346.  If you have not rsvp’d, please do so to ksimcoe@commanderpound.com  (not required but greatly appreciated!)

In addition to our usual agenda, Cordelia Blake will present “Managing Your Internet Presence” which will include simple and practical techniques to create, boost and influence your firm’s internet presence.  This will be a mini-version of the seminar she is leading for the Atlanta Bar on “Law Office Technology.”  Please come prepared to share one way that you make use of the internet to network or market your business.”  Remember to bring two business cards.

Not a GAWL member?  Come and see what we are all about or go to GAWL for more information.
Perimeter not convenient for you?  GAWL has several NNBs and there is sure to be one near you.  See  GAWL Neighborhood Network Breakfasts for more information.

Time Management Tips

At our December 10, 2008 meeting, we shared our tips for completing work, tracking appointments and managing our personal lives.  We would like to thank Leslie Walden, Certified Professional Organizer, for her input at our meeting.  You can find out more information about Leslie at Its Time To Get Organized  .   

• Color code your calendar:  With one glance you will know what must be done.
  • For home - use different colors for each family member.
  • For tasks - use colors to identify different types of tasks based on priority.
  • Use the brightest color for yourself so you build time in for you, including exercise and other personal time.
• Schedule time for family and put it on the calendar.
• Schedule blocks of time for work and put it on your calendar – turn off the email, phone, etc.
• Use a timer to enforce your blocks of scheduled work time.
• Keep a task list with assigned priority based on A,B, and C with C being least important.
• Keep a running list that you add to throughout the day.
• Each afternoon, look at the next day and prioritize your activities you will avoid surprises.
• Once a week on Thursday or Friday, “stop and assess” your to do list.  Reevaluate and reorganize for the coming week.
• Use your email program to filter and sort your email so that you get to the important emails quickly.
• Train your clients to understand that you reply to email at a certain time each day unless they have put “Urgent” in the subject box.
• Turn off the email alert and download email manually to avoid the temptation to stop your work and read/answer the email.
• Once a week update your contact list.
• Differentiate between “important” and “urgent.”  For example, although the client may have an urgent request, it may be more important that you respond first to a request from your boss.
• Take a global view rather than a task oriented view.  You will see the big picture and it will help you determine what is most important.

Join us at the next Perimeter NNB

 Hello everyone –

You are invited to the next GAWL Perimeter Neighborhood Networking Breakfast at Alon’s Bakery on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:45 a.m.   If you can’t make this one, we would love to see you at the next one -we meet the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

The topic for discussion this busy month is:  Time Management Tips.  Be prepared to share your best strategy for time management in the office or home.  Remember to bring two business cards. 

 

Alon’s is directly across from the Perimeter Mall in the Park Place Shopping Center.  The address is 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, 30346.  When you arrive go ahead and purchase whatever you would like to have for breakfast and pay for it at the coffee bar.  If you have not rsvp’d, please do so to ksimcoe@commanderpound.com  (not required but greatly appreciated!)  If you would like to be removed from this list, please email me.

 

Save the date for “The Leader Within“ program on January 13, 2009, 8:00-1:00 at the State Bar offices.  This is an intensive half day leadership training seminar geared toward attorneys interested in developing leadership skills. 

 

Not a GAWL member?  Come and see what we are all about or go to GAWL for more information.

Perimeter not convenient for you?  GAWL has several NNBs and there is sure to be one near you.  See  GAWL Neighborhood Network Breakfasts for more information. 

We hope to see you there!