Happy new year one and all!

Like many, I find the new year is an ideal time to do some reflecting and reassess your professional – and personal – life and milestones.

For me, 2018 was an immensely satisfying year professionally as my business KHS People took off. I had the privilege to work with some wonderful and insightful clients and market leaders. And, my network never ceases to amaze me. Every candidate I work with allows me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. And for that, I thank you.

Secondly – and on a more personal note - in 2018 my husband and I welcomed our healthy, happy and beautiful baby girl. She is a true joy to be around and inspires us each day. As with every new parent, figuring out a healthy balance with work and home life is a challenge. But it’s a challenge we are pursuing and are up for.

For those of you who know me well, you know that I’m an eternal optimist. And in that spirit, I’ve developed a short check list to help you kick start your new year.

Take yourself out for a coffee, read these bullets, and think and reflect. Similarly, I’m happy to discuss any of these with you over a coffee or a call.

Professional services marketing checklist for January 2019:     
        

• What did you learn in 2018 and how are you going to leverage that in 2019? If you’re not learning you’re unlikely to be growing and developing. Marketers must be constantly growing.
• Does the size and composition of your team adequately match the level and type of work that is being produced? Think about your team and who is doing what work and why.
• What skills gaps do you have that you want to dedicate some time to this year? Be honest with yourself and address what you need to. Its not a failing, it’s simply a development point.
• Is the vision of your team being fulfilled? Now is a great time to re-evaluate leadership’s vision and put that into action. Remind your team of that vision and where they are headed.
• Update your resume. This is for both internal and external use. You never know when you will need it, and you don’t want to forget all the good things you’ve achieved and accomplished.
• What professional relationships need nurturing? What team members or partners do you need to work a bit harder – or differently - with? Put in the time to work on these relationships.
• What projects allowed you to be successful last year? Figure out a way to continue to seek out those types of projects to keep showcasing your expertise. 
• What personal activities make you happy? Ensure you incorporate them into your busy work weeks. Both professional and personal projects and goals are equally as important to each other.

Make 2019 a different year. Strive for something you didn’t think possible. Set those goals and take all the satisfaction in the world when you achieve them. And remember to have fun. May 2019 be a truly fulfilling year for you, your teams, your firms, and your families.

On June 28, 2018 I had the pleasure of discussing professional development for business developers and marketers as part of the Legal Marketing Association's regular Podcast. This Podcast was done in conjunction with the May/June 2018 issue of the LMA's Strategies magazine.

In this Podcast, I discuss everything from what firms want from their business developers and marketers to today's current trends and unique challenges legal marketers face with this task. I also contrast this to professional services business developers and marketers in both the accounting and A/E/C sector.

​To listen: http://blog.legalmarketing.org/podcast-episode-32