1. How did you start working in the legal industry? As a founder and partner of DecisionQuest, a nationwide jury research firm, I spent 20 years closing business directly with outside counsel and law firms. My responsibilities also included directing marketing, communications, public relations, advertising, social media, etc.
2. How do you describe your job to people outside of the legal industry? We provide outsource marketing resources to law firms and professional services firms including Business Development Growth Coaching, Rapid Assessment and Actions Plan, Keynotes and seminars, etc.
3. What’s the best part of your work, and why? Our firm spent 18 months with a 500 attorney law firm, assisting them to refine and build a powerful marketing/business development structure. And then receiving a recent email from the firm’s Executive Director stating, “ We are 90% completed with implementing the recommendations, and almost everyone is happy with the results!!”
4. How do you deal with impossible situations? There was a recent Marketing Group LinkedIn question asking how do you deal with an impossible client? My answer is, first review the original assignment details and values with the client. If she/he still remains impossible, fire them.
5. If you were to build the perfect legal marketer, what skills would they most need? Begin at the end – that is identify what the end product of a marketers actions are and work backwards to determine the needed skills. The end is assisting you clients, firm attorneys, to develop more business. You need skills in pitching, selling, classic marketing, social media, and communications.
6. If you could have any other job than what you currently do, what would that be? Although I’m having more fun and seeing more results in my current work with clients, I would like to be a rodeo cowboy. (my high school mascot)
7. What are your passions outside of work? For the past 3 years, we have been rebuilding our house on Lake Tahoe. P.S. we provide a LMA discount to any member wanting to ski or sun! We are on the West Shore, 10 minutes from skiing and a 5 minute walk to the beach.
8. What’s your favorite guilty pleasure? Chilling out on our Tahoe deck, with coffee as the sun comes up and a vodka martini to greet the sunset. The peace and quiet is overwhelming.
9. Why did you join LMA and is it the same reason you are still a member? It was and remains learning and sharing. We provide chapter presentations throughout the U.S. on a pro bono basis. The learning-factor has become more prevalent. One specific is taking our own advice on client surveys. I’ve spent the last several months reviewing our firm’s services with marketing professionals throughout U.S. It was this very perceptive group that suggested we have been performing Outsource Marketing Services without identifying them as such. We are now embarking on a major re-positioning to make sure all of you are aware of our work on clients’ behalf.
10. What is your best LMA memory? Twinkies at last fall’s CME.
Contact information:
Allan Colman
The Closers Group
215355 Hawthorne Blvd. #310
Torrance, CA 90503
310-225-3904
www.closersgroup.com
YOUR OUTSOURCE MARKETING PARTNER