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Your Legal Resource Newsletter
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January,
2008
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Happy New
Year!  Now is the time to reflect on the accomplishments and
learning opportunities of 2007, and forge ahead with new goals to make 2008 your
best year ever!
What stood
out for you as
a highlight
last year? What insights did you glean? What lessons did you
learn that you are hoping not to repeat this year?
For me,
learning to stay in the moment and enjoy the process was a valuable mind
shift. I'm very results-oriented and can sometimes lose sight of
the value the process provides. I'm grateful that my clients remind
me of the difference I make to them, even in the little things.
Afterall, it's the little things that sometimes mean the most. What
little things can you do to make a difference to others this year in your
business and personal lives?
I thought
I'd share a few of the kudos I received this past year.
"Lori is one of those
people that you rarely see in business today. Not only does she follow
through, have integrity, but does it all with a great attitude. Her
networking skills are by far some of the best I've seen. She constantly
thinks of people needs and tries to fill them with the right people. It
is a pleasure to work with her and promote her business on
MetroAlive.com." Alicia
Roberts, Marketing Director for Metro Alive
"Lori is probably the
fastest worker I've ever met. There is no time between assigning her work
and getting results. She is resourceful, well connected and even takes
the initiative to contribute new ideas to help solve your
problem." Brian
Surowiec, Co-Owner of Essential IT, LLC
"Lori is a first class networker and an excellent
resource person. In a world where "who you know" is valuable,
Lori - and her professional introductions -- are worth their weight in
gold!" Richard
Bruder, Attorney and Managing Member of Enterprise Law Partners, PLLC
"It takes courage to step away from what we know in
order to be more of who we really are. Lori Williams took that leap when
she stepped away from the practice of law and began instead to practice
the art of connecting those who need legal help with those who provide
it. I've come to know her as a gifted "connector" of people in
general, and a woman of great integrity and sincerity. It is an honor to
be her friend and colleague." Linda Anger, Owner & Principal
Writer of The Write Concept, Inc.
"Lori is a detail oriented woman that 'gets things
done'. She is passionate about connecting people together for mutually
beneficial business arrangements. I have been delighted with the
resources she has connected me with. Thanks Lori!"
Alita Marlowe, Owner of Marlowe & Associates, Inc.
Thank you to all of you who support me and my
business, and for encouraging me to continue using my gift of
connecting others. It truly is a joy for me to help you in this
way.
I encourage you to take the time to appreciate others in
your life who have made a difference and let them know how you
feel. No one is too busy to receive a compliment!
Make 2008 your best year yet!
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What Are You Resisting?
by: Lori T.
Williams, JD, Your Legal Resource
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In our last issue of the YLR newsletter, I confessed that
I resisted writing a newsletter for over three years. I observed
that often the thing I'm resisting is the very thing I should be
doing. Resisting something doesn't make it go away. In fact,
"what
you resist, persists!"
I polled our readers and found out they too were resisting
something in their business. I know you're shocked! I
promised to keep their comments annonymous, but thought we could all
learn from one another by sharing these insights. Perhaps it will
inspire and empower each of us to take action and stop resisting. 
So what are you resisting in your personal life or your
business? The same problems can show up in multiple places.
Here's what our readers said:
1. I too have resisted writing a newsletter, and now
I must!
2. Joining discussions on
Motorcityconnect.com. For over a year people kept telling me to log
on, and I finally did.
3. Creating boundaries around reading/replying to
email. It's midnight and here I am still at my computer so lost in reading
and following one of the book suggestions that I completely lost track of
time (Editors
note: I rather like that one. Maybe I'm biased. Does
anyone else see a problem with reading my newsletter at midnight?
Ha, Ha!)
4. I
wish I was a better reader and found more time to do so. There have
been so many interesting books referenced that I would like to
read.
(Editors
note: Men, I hear this from you all the time. All I can say
is "Leaders are Readers!" Just 15 minutes a day and you
can usually finish a book in a month. 12 books a year could change
your life. So could one book. Just start with one.)
5. Hiring a Virtual Assistant. I see the
value in it, because I could give up the admin work that I don't do
that efficiently anyway. Yet I keep doing everything myself. (Editors note: This
one hits home with me too!)
6. Learning new and more productive work habits -
the hardest thing in the world is changing old habits and beliefs. (Editor's Note: I
know a resource for this. See Jeff Kaplan and take his Mission
Control one day workshop. He can help you change habits and coach
you if/when you "fall off the wagon" and resort to old
habits.)
7. Writing
a book. (Editors
note: Me too! I even have a title, but it's the rest
that's got me stopped. I am seriously considering an ebook and have
a resource where I can learn how to do it. This is on my goal list
for 2008).
8. The dreaded "cold call." I don't want
to be hung up on, put into a voice mail quagmire, or otherwise treated as
if I was a leper. I am a fanatic about networking so that I can get
those warm introductions instead of the cold shoulder.
9. Networking! For the first five years of my
business I resisted networking because it seemed intimidating to meet
a room full of strangers. I've gotten comfortable with it now that
I've been doing it for awhile. I also used it view it as a waste of
time, because it didn't immediately lead to business. Now I see it
as a relationship building tool, and I enjoy getting to know someone to
make a contact and possibly a friend.
10. Getting my advisory board together to problem
solve, brainstorm and plan. I see each of them one on one, but I
don't take the time to bring my banker, lawyer, CPA, and insurance agent
together to discuss my business. If I did, I believe the ideas
would be more impactful on my business because they'd all be on the same
page.
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FAVORITE READS OF OUR READERS
(Editor's note: Thank you to all who contributed these
powerful statements about your favorite books.)
1.
Creating a
World That Works for All, by Sharif Abdullah
-Have you ever
considered that we're depleting the world's resources with such velocity
that it's ENTIRELY possible we'll have none left WITHIN OUR CHILDREN'S
LIFETIME?� Abdullah makes a
powerful argument that the entire existence of our world depends not on
more band-aids (emission control, renewable energy, etc), but in shifting
our relationship to love, compassion, generosity from absence to
abundance.� This has been the most
IMPORTANT book I've ever read.
2.
Season of
Life, by Jeffery Marx
- Athletic ability,
sexual conquest and material success - these are the top
three measures men use to value themselves and their world.� By using those measures, how many men
truly become fulfilled human beings?�
How many people and relationships do they kill off along the
way?� Marx shares his own story of
his renewed relationship with former Baltimore Colts linebacker Joe
Ehrmann who now devotes his life to teaching young men a whole new
definition of masculinity: creating powerful relationships driven by
love, leading courageously and being of service to others.� This is a must read for every man.
3.
Getting
Real, by Susan Campbell
- This is one of the "top 10" lists we DON'T see
enough of.� We all value open and
honest communication, but do we really practice it?� No.�
And it's not because we're manipulative, controlling jerks (most
of the time) but it's likely we just don't know how.� Campbell offers 10 powerful suggestions
for creating powerful communication through ideas like: how to be wrong,
to be transparent, to notice intent, to welcome feedback, to revise
previous statements and to embrace the silence of not knowing.� This is what I call the definition of
Responsible Communication and will open your eyes to new and powerful relationships.
4.
The Secret,
by Rhonda Byrne
- Lots of media buzz around the movie and this book.� If you've not heard of it before now,
don't worry and don't beat yourself up.�
You'll just be attracting more anxiety and abuse.� Here's the bottom line:
"Everything that's coming into your life you are attracting into
your life.� And it's attracted to
you by the virtue of the images you're holding in your mind - it's what
you're thinking", [Bob Proctor].�
In other words, you are and you have exactly what you think you
are and you have. �Nothing more,
nothing less.� "Thoughts
become things", [Mike Dooley].�
Think about it. "-)
5. Why Your Life Sucks,
by Alan Cohen
- This gets my #1 vote for best title.� This book is one of the most awakening
peeks into our own mirrors.� We all
have it that our life "sucks" at some point.� So, how come?� In another powerful top 10 list book,
Cohen offers the top 10 reasons we feel our lives suck and offers ways to
have them be "suck-less".�
When we - give our power away, expect life to suck, get fooled by
appearances, waste time on things that truly suck, and say
"yes" when we mean "no" - no wonder we struggle
getting out of bed each morning.�
If you're ready to turn that belief system on its head, this book
is a must read.
6.
The Last
Word on Power, by Tracy Goss
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The most powerful leadership book on the market today.� For anyone in business (or life) who
desires to accomplish an impossible future, this book invites you to take
an intense look at the following idea - the power that got you to where
you are today (the power of your current success) is now preventing you
from achieving anything you consider impossible.� In other words, without shifting your
awareness and actions to an entirely new paradigm, you will forever achieve
ONLY what's predictable.� Goss
takes you on a fascinating, at times horrifying, and ultimately
enlightening journey on discovering your true power to create the
impossible.
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Have You Seen What's New
at the Smart Women's Cafe?
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Do
You Have Or Want Global Clients?�
Newsletters Might
Help You Bridge The Gap
By: Jinny
Bromberg, President of Bromberg & Associates Translation Agency
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Google the word
"newsletter' and you'll get a return count of over 233 million
searches. That should immediately tell you the importance newsletters
have in communications and Internet marketing for your company or
organization.
If
you narrow your search to "Chinese newsletters" you'll find
32.5 million hits as well as 21 million newsletters in French. Google the
term "Spanish newsletters" and you'll get 9.77 million results
back along with the German figure of 6.25 million.
How Much Could Your
Company Grow By Translating Its Newsletter into Other Languages?
Newsletters
are a convenient way for busy people to receive news and a cost-effective
way for companies to send them. Additionally, a well-designed newsletter
can improve a company's image. What if your newsletters were to be
translated into these languages? You could expand your customer base and
embark on building a global brand just by having your newsletters
translated into another language. According to the industry studies
people are 4 times more likely to obtain the services if the offer is
presented in their language.
The
first step is to determine which other countries are good targets for
your products or services.
The
top languages currently used in newsletter translations are Spanish,
Portuguese, Chinese, and Russian. Therefore it may benefit your company
to look into these markets also.
An
experienced firm should always handle newsletter translations, so that
your finished piece will be an asset to your company. Your newsletter
will not only be translated correctly but also will show cultural
sensitivity. A word for word translation is never appropriate.
Select
materials that your target country's readers or local ethnic communities
may easily relate to. Avoid using content that can only be understood by
the American reader, i.e. do not use American football jargon in an
article aimed at a soccer playing country, such as Brazil.
By following the above-mentioned guidelines your company is
sure to bridge the linguistic and cultural gap. Whether you already have
or want to have global clients a newsletter is a sure fit. A large array
of clients is waiting to establish a working relationship with you.
So, what are you waiting for?
______________________________________________________________________
Jinny
Bromberg is the founder of Bromberg & Associates Translation Agency,
headquartered in Hamtramck, Michigan.�
The company's services include translation; interpretation
(consecutive and simultaneous); web site translation and localization;
multilingual desktop publishing and video production; language training;
cultural training; interpreter training and performance evaluation.
Bromberg & Associates� works with
over 40 languages locally, and 500 translators worldwide with aptitude in
90 languages and dialects.� For
more information, visit:� www.brombergtranslations.com.
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HOW TO HIRE A CPA
by: Ursula C. Scroggs, CPA/Managing Director, Derderian,
Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC
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Hiring a CPA firm is much like hiring an employee. There are
several steps that are involved in both processes.� First, you need to narrow the possible
choices.� Ask your banker,
attorney, and other business associates what CPA firms they use or recommend.� You may want to check business
directories for firms in your area, such as Trade Associations
or various Chamber of Commerce��� directories.
Once you've narrowed
the field somewhat, the next step is to meet���� and interview eachprospective firm,������������������ just as you would interview a prospective
employee.� Some questions for your
prospective CPA might be:
Do they have experience and knowledge in your specific
industry?
What types of services can the CPA/firm provide?
*Tax preparation;
*Financial statement preparation;
*Bookkeeping assistance;
*Computer consultation;
*Tax and financial planning;
*Management advice.
How long has the firm been in business?
What type of records will you need to provide them?
What will the CPA provide to you?
How does the firm keep Clients informed of new tax laws,
etc.?
Can the firm continue to service you as you and your company
grow?
What is the firm's fee structure and billing practice?
Who will be
responsible for servicing your account?
How often will your CPA be in contact with you during the
year?
Can they provide you with references from other clients that
you can call?
The CPA should also
be asking you relevant questions about your business during your
conversation. In weighing your needs for accounting services, consider
the five� basic benefits any
accounting firm, regardless of size, should provide:
1) competent tax assistance;
2) better cost control;
� 3) order in your accounting system;
� 4) credibility in your financial statements; and
5) compliance with the law.
Those are the basic
payoffs that should govern not only your choice of services but the
determination of their value.
You've now
interviewed potential firms. What guidelines should you
use to make your selection?
Small����������������� business executives
and public accountants agree that the three most important criteria are:
1) personal
attention, 2) reputation,
and 3) experience.�������������������
Personal attention includes commitment, compatibility and respon�siveness. Will the principal
of the ac�counting firm be directly involved in your business? Will you
and your staff be comfortable with the individuals who will actually be
doing the accounting work? Will your accountant be there if needed?
Reputation has little to do
with prestige. It's a matter of how bankers,
attorneys andother businesses in your
community regard the accounting firm. Also, try to check on how the
accountant stands within his/her own profession.
Experience counts! What does the accountant know about your industry,
and specifically, small business in your industry? A current client list
will help answer that ques�tion, but it is also one that should be
addressed personally by those who will be working with your
company. Assume that the professional is fluent in accounting and
finance; the important question is whether or not he or she can 'speaks
the language' of your
business.
Simply put, your
accountant should be someone you can trust,
someone who understands how your business operates,and someone who
is willing to listen and respond with ideas. When you find a CPA who fits
that description, chances are you've found
your best professional advisor.
_______________________________________________________
Ursula Scroggs began her career with the Troy based
accounting firm of Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, P.C. as a
high school co-op student and continued working for the firm while she
attended college full time. By the time she graduated from Wayne State
University, she had the requisite experience required to obtain her
Certified Public Accounting license in 1979. She was made a partner in
the firm in 1985 and in 1999 was elevated to the position of President
and Managing Director. She has extensive experience in consulting to
small and closely-held businesses and organizations in all areas of planning,
financial management, tax consulting and operational advice.
Ursula serves as the Partner-in-Charge
of many of the firm's key accounts. She has particular expertise in manufacturing (tool and die,
prototype, auto-related businesses), distribution (retail, wholesale and
warehousing), professional services (medical, legal, engineering, etc.),
construction (developers, trade contractors, commercial and residential)
and not-for-profit organizations. For more information, visit the
firm's website at: www.dksspc.com.
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Need a
legal tune-up? It's a New Year and now might be the perfect time to
finally prepare that Will and Trust you've been putting off, or have it
updated from the 80's!
Or perhaps
your business needs a tune-up and you should put some vendor contracts in
place, update your operating agreements or partnership agreements, create
an LLC, or protect that intellectual property you've been talking
about.
In my
former divorce practice I found that January and its new beginnings also
brought about the ending of relationships that no longer
worked.
If you or
someone you know is in need of a legal tuneup for their personal or
business matters, we'd love to help. Just give us a call for a
FREE consultation. Use the coupon below or pass it on to someone
else.
All my
best,
Lori
President
of Lori T. Williams, PC
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