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April 2008 Newsletter

Welcome to the Firm Beliefs newsletter. This edition covers a range of topics from the cultural implications of Globalisation, Firm Elite events and a spotlight on Kehrela Hodkinson from Hodkinson Law Group.

In this issue

Cultural implications of globalisation

Firm Beliefs - career coaching

Increasingly, we see clients expanding their businesses abroad - and not necessarily always for proactive reasons. The realisation that non-UK businesses are investing in the UK by setting up offices here or investing in UK businesses, and thus providing competition for similar services, leads to the defensive mechanism of looking abroad for countries where there is less competition for the provision of those services

Travelling with clients to other countries and jurisdictions, having prepared them for the cultural, political and economic issues which impact upon the potential clients and colleagues in those countries, reminds us that, despite globalisation and its apparent message that 'we are one world', in fact differences remain and do continue to drive the way merger discussions, client discussions or management discussions develop. Read more on Sara's blog posting.

Our Firm Elite dinner in February saw this theme further continued. Kehrela Hodkinson sparked a hearty and spirited discussion amongst those there (Firm Beliefs, Withy King, Rooks Rider, Ann Paul, Norton Rose, Seddons, Killik and Co, Hodkinson Law Group, MPac llp) regarding the nature of doing business abroad, regardless of industry and profession. A number of you asked asked for details of Kehrela's chat - a brief outline of her speech can be found on the blog, and the full version can be found on the resources page of the website. The extract can be found at Kehrela's blog posting.

Please contact us if you would like more information about how we enable our clients to achieve effective and valuable working relationships with those who come from different cultural backgrounds or are based in non-UK locations.

February Firm Elite dinner

21st February 2008. Royal Overseas League.

This was one of our most engaging evenings. Although the principal purpose of our dinners is for like-minded people (those who are passionate about being in business) to get together to discuss and debate current issues and to exchange views and ideas and experiences, this event rapidly led to a number of valuable connections, leading to long term associations for the benefit of the businesses. For a full run-down on the range of discussion, see Sara's blog posting.

Forthcoming events:

Firm Elite dinner Thursday 17th April 2008 - guest speaker: James Knight

An, award-winning practice, doing business in a traditional profession in a non-traditional way, James will regale us with why Lawyers-Direct has operated in the way that it has, what the benefits for clients have been, what the benefits for the business has been. He will also discuss the rebrand of the business to Keystone Law and how the process itself of rebranding has driven the business forward. If you would like to attend please go to the website for further details. Contact Sally to reserve your place.

Win business, achieve what you want in negotiations, make the most of what you have! 14th May 2008

The National Theatre runs a Personal Impact Course (which Sara has road-tested: see her blog posting) and of the many she has tried, this had had the longest lasting impact.

We have obtained a preferential rate for Firm Beliefs and we are offering that to individuals who would like to take advantage of that. You may be on the Business Excellence programme, or using the enhanced skills provided to you via the Firm Elite top-up skills sessions, or may just have attended one of our Firm Elite dinners or be interested in doing so.

Firm Beliefs - career coaching

Whatever your connection with Firm Beliefs, you are welcome to join others who, like you, realise that you cannot take for granted that skills you developed some years ago are still as effective as they were then! The programme aims to give participants: an insight into what makes people interesting to listen to; an improved use of voice and breathing; active listening skills and techniques for concentration and relaxation; an understanding of physical presence and body language; increased confidence in communicating to an audience; and the ability to harness your own personality, presence and purpose to affect a group. More Details available on the website. Please contact Sally if you would like to book a place. Names by 14th April 2008.

Spotlight on: Hodkinson Law Group

The lawyers at Hodkinson Law represent both companies and individuals who have US immigration and visa issues. Their client base ranges across geographical boundaries, across industry and professional boundaries and they provide support to law firms who do not have expertise in this area.

Set up by Kehrela Hodkinson, the firm contains lawyers who are passionate about serving clients, reflecting Kehrela's belief in working with those who enjoy the practice of law as well as the practice of providing the best service possible. Kehrela is also very interested in ensuring that those who enter the legal profession are supported and developed so that they add value both to the profession and to clients:

The process of obtaining a view to the United States can be a bureaucratic re-tape process. At best, it is extremely confusing. When clients are moving countries, they are going through a major life change and often suffer all the stress that such a life change entails. We try to explain the process at the outset so that clients' expectations are managed. We discuss the process, timing and fees so that they know exactly what is involved in the process. We take the attitude that if a company is asking an employee to re-locate, the company does not want to be bogged down in the minutiae of the process. Firm Beliefs - spotlight on Neale Turk Rochfort They want us to handle the immigration process. We try to get all of the detailed information at the beginning of the process so that we do not need to keep asking for additional information. We also are cognizant that the employees have separate concerns and we do our utmost to make ourselves available to the employees to respond to their queries. Often we are asked questions unrelated to their visa process, such as questions regarding schooling, re-location of pets and cultural differences. We do our best to refer them to appropriate experts when required and spend quite a bit of time responding to their questions regarding life in America.

How do you see the business of being in business developing in the current globalised world?

I think that, in order to remain competitive, current businesses need to differentiate themselves within their given market. There is a tremendous amount of competition and consumers who, for example are looking on the internet, must be able to perceive the difference among those offering the same product or service. Businesses may choose to differentiate themselves based on size, area of expertise, fees, service, or a number of other factors. It is critical to make sure that the consumer understands those differences.

In the global business world, business happens more rapidly. People expect an instantaneous response. It is important to manage expectations so that if your policy for example is to respond to emails within 24 hours, clients must be advised at the outset of the relationship that that is your commitment.

If your staff were a 'brand', how would you describe them and why?

(Top) service with a smile!

What do you look for in your staff?

They are passionate about their work, understand the importance of client service; have a commitment to the firm and its beliefs, are willing to learn and be flexible. Our staff always look out for companies or individuals who express an interest in moving either to the U.S. or to any other country.

For more information about Hodkinson Law Group see their website at www.usvisalawgroup.com.

10 tips to prepare for that business trip abroad

  1. Prepare for there to be potential misunderstandings - think through where they could arise and put in place a mechanism to (1) not just avoid but also to (2) repair misunderstandings quickly!
  2. Be very clear in your own mind what the goal is of the visit/meeting and ensure that you know the goal of others who are party to the discussions. Keep an eye on the goal as it is likely to get lost if discussions are hijacked by unforeseen developments such as cultural misunderstandings. Ensure that you communicate that goal frequently in the most appropriate manner to the culture in which you are operating
  3. Then think about how other cultures tend to achieve goals - via direct or indirect (body language, cultural habits and behaviour) communication? What does that mean for your own communication of your goals?
  4. What if you are liaising with a collection of people with different cultures? Have you thought about potential conflict between them and what difference that will make to your own position, and the length of the negotiations/discussions?
  5. Ensure that you are up to speed with the attitudes, behaviours and social norms of others involved. Speak to those who are used to dealing with similar individuals or businesses from that culture. If you can, access specific training or preparatory programmes before you begin to do business with them
    6. Firm Beliefs - consultancy and training
  6. Ensure equally importantly that you are up to speed with your own cultural attitudes, behaviours and social norms! What does your own communication say to others about you?
  7. Be prepared for similarities as well as for differences. Look for the common goal, the common attitude, the common behaviour and major on those, particularly in the early stages
  8. Be prepared to make mistakes
  9. Be prepared to put time and effort into not making mistakes!
  10. Be prepared to learn as much as you can from your experience of doing business with those who are not like you. It may well inform your own ability to be successful.

You will have noticed a number of different features/layouts to the website. You will also notice a number of new people mentioned on the site. More in the next newsletter!