Whether stocks are trending up or down, take a deep breath, and realize that the long-term fact is: Canada will continue. Regardless of any temporary outlook you have, or of the temporary situation you live in, we can all agree that those less fortunate are always in need. 2014 was my first real chance to help in a charitable way. My small and growing company was able to direct financial support towards…
Did you know that certain national and international law firms allow their associate lawyers and partners to invest in clients? Many local and regional law firms do too. Being allowed to invest in your clients means being allowed to invest in businesses that you already know inside and out. From top people, to current and future liabilities, to a strong business plan and cash flow. Different law firms offer different opportunities, and it is important that y0ur law…
DO YOU OFFER ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE? THEN CONSIDER THIS: One direction for your LinkedIn Profile is to use it as an extension of your brand. Like others, you probably know that your LinkedIn profile is a great way for employers to find you, and for you to find your next employer or that next job. What you may not know is that LinkedIn is an effective way for new…
I recently had a one-on-one conversation with a senior managing partner of a national law firm. He and his paralegal teamed up 29 years ago! He is not the only one. I have three mentors in the legal field that started working with their paralegal more than 20 years ago. These lawyer/paralegal teams are built on cooperation, trust and mutual respect. No lawyer is perfect, and everyone knows that a…
On your next vacation you can relax, take a deep breath and recharge. We all get caught up working our files, giving clients our best service, and closing the deal. However, as people say, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy (or Jill a dull girl). Recently, I had the opportunity to fly to Halifax, N.S. for a law school friend’s wedding. Since I was going to…
How do you know if you fit in your firm? People often throw the buzzword “fit” around when making employment decisions. When considering your next job, having the right experience and a strong résumé always helps. With that in mind, you must consider the people at the firm. I was recently reminded of this when helping an extremely talented young lawyer relocate to Alberta. The earliest sense of your fit…
Some people get excited when they hear the “ding” or feel the “buzz” of a new email coming through on their work smart phone. Others bemoan working outside of regular business hours. However, always keep this in mind: What if the emails stop? These days, professionals need to stay connected. Most companies or law firms provide smart phones to their professional employees so they are never far from work. On…
You walk into the boardroom and look across the table. They are already waiting for your interview to start. You take a breath and introduce yourself. You quickly notice that you are not the only person in the room who seems a little bit nervous. In a minute, the room seems to relax and you take a sip of water. Some smiles come out and a few jokes are heard. …
In your opinion, how important is mentorship? I know from working in finance, law firms, a recruitment agency and now with my own small start-up, that great mentors are an important part of any career, company and business. Take a moment to think about your career, and you may come to the same conclusion. Most people will say that effective mentorship can give you advice and support when you need…
It really does not matter what you do, as long as you enjoy doing it. An ex-colleague of mine at an old job I once had told me that he hated it when people said stuff like that. However, between you and I, he hated his job. We all hear passionate people say that you need to stop doing what you don’t like to do and start doing what you…
