According to the NPP, Taxpayers in Florida will pay $565.9 million for proposed ballistic missile defense in FY2010.

For that same money, Florida could have provided:

9,040 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year
OR 129,412 Scholarships for University Students for One Year
OR 101,968 Students receiving Pell Grants of $5550
OR 4,174 Affordable Housing Units
OR 312,781 Children with Health Care for One Year
OR 77,217 Head Start Places for Children for One Year
OR 9,649 Elementary School Teachers for One Year
OR 397,999 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year
OR 199,677 People with Health Care for One Year
OR 13,036 Public Safety Officers for One year

Now, Imagine if only 10% were retained by Florida for it’s citizens:
Florida would keep $56.59 million in FY2010.
For that same money, Florida could provide:
904 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year

OR 12,941 Scholarships for University Students for One Year

OR 10,197 Students receiving Pell Grants of $5550

OR 417 Affordable Housing Units

OR 31,278 Children with Health Care for One Year

OR 7,721 Head Start Places for Children for One Year

OR 965 Elementary School Teachers for One Year

OR 39,800 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year

OR 19,968 People with Health Care for One Year

OR 1,304 Public Safety Officers for One year

THAT IS A LOT OF NEW JOBS!

Find out about your State, Congressional District, or Community.  When you look at our tax money at use in this way, it sure does seem that a 10% cut in just one area could made a world of difference for ALL our communities!

Economic hardship has impacted every facet of life – and that is also true for law firms (yes, I know you find that hard to believe, but they are experiencing layoffs as well).  One law firm has stepped up, listened to their clients, and answered a need clients were complaining about.

I read an impressive story that will be published in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s latest edition. Foley and Lardner, LLP, raised the bar in client satisfaction, and erased the biggest fear of anyone who is thinking of hiring a lawyer.

That fear is about receiving a bill for more than they expected in legal fees.

Its a universal problem – people don’t hire lawyers even when they should, because they do not believe they can afford to.  It’s not just the initial retainer, it’s the fear that once the attorney is retained for a matter, the bill becomes an unknown quantity – a day to day worry that they may have a second legal issue to deal with when they can’t afford to pay their lawyer.

Foley and Lardner, LLP get an A+ in client care, because they LISTENED to their clients, and answered their concern.

In fact, they may create a World Wide Rave as defined by David Meerman Scott in his book of that title.  They gave up control to the client – Rule 3 of the Rave!!   When it comes to billing and budgeting of legal matters, they have successfully taken away the fear of  that big ulgy surprise when their clients open the envelope containing their legal bill every month.

In response to client concerns (this is a concern of ANYONE who hires a lawer for ANY legal matter),  they developed a proprietary software system, part of which allows clients of all 1000 of the lawyers in the firm to interactively share real-time billing information and keep their legal matter on a budget.  Clients can go online anytime and see trending in the billable hours by their lawyer,  and make contact to discuss options for their case BEFORE they go over budget and have yet another legal matter to deal with.

The full story was reported in the Wall Street Journal on Jan 5, 2010.

To be honest, this system does more than just allow the client to manage their legal bills and budget, and that is why it cost $1 Million to put in place.  However, this is a true investment in the firm.  It serves as a management tool, as a client communication tool and as a marketing tool to attract new business!

Smaller firms will say they can’t afford $1Million investment to do the same thing.  They don’t have to.  Small firms can do the same thing, very easily, using much simpler tools.  The real question has always been:  will they come out from behind the curtain on fees and allow the client control?  Will they allow the client to speak honestly and hold them to a budget the client can afford?  If they are smart, they surely will do that – and reap the rewards of (a) honest communications with their clients; and (b) growth of their law practices.

The bar has been raised – let’s see if a precedent in billing practices has now been set,  and which lawyers and law firms creatively  rise to the occasion!

On February 12, 2009, more than five hundred students came together at Full Sail University in an attempt to create a Guinness World Record.

Imagine the power this group could bring to solving a problem like hunger, rescue efforts in Haiti….Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has!  [Margaret Mead 1901-1978]

In an online article from Media Post,  Robert Half Technology conducted a recent study and found that in regard to social networks,  businesses complained that “time-sucking social networks hurt their productivity”.

“It takes away from primary responsibility,” Dave Knapp, regional vice president for Robert Half told the San Francisco Examiner. “When socializing on sites such as Facebook, we lose track of time.”

[Is he even SERIOUS? Makes you wonder what kind of people he thinks he employs!]

According to the study, other concerns of these companies included being worried about employees leaking sensitive information.  The survey indicates an amazing 54 percent of these businesses block social networking sites.

So, in 2010 will these Corporate Giants realize the VALUE social media offers to their bottom line and be more creative in using it – or will they continue with the same old rhetoric of productivity losses?

The key issue here is simple:  these companies lack the creativity to do what is best for their bottom line.  In corporate environments C-level executives have an “all-or-nothing” mentality.  Either ALL employees get access, or NONE get it.  Why?  They certainly have IT professionals on staff who can manage their server traffic.  Why not give it to their recruiters and marketing department?

Leaking sensitive information?  I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an excuse to me to continue the “norm”.  After all, how many employees that are not a C-level do you know that have access to sensitive corporate data?  My experience shows that answer to be “NONE”.  If it is the C-level Executives you are worried about leaking it, then WHY are they in those positions?  RHETORIC.

My Solution:  Attend our Feb 18th, 2010 Seminar given by David Meerman Scott, a true Thought Leader!

Don’t use ‘attendance’ as your excuse, either!

We will be providing a LIVE STREAM of the event – and you can experience the power of social networking while you attend because we will have a live chat, Facebook and Twitter feeds!  Our roving cameras will provide you with a front seat so it’s just like being there – and on breaks they will be talking to VIPs, Attendees and even our Presenter, David Meerman Scott!

C-level Executives!  I challenge you to come get creative and increase your bottom line for the New Year!

Source:  Media Post;   SanFrancisco Examiner