What does your performance say about you?

While preparing for future practice, I've been evaluating several products and services. My intent is that following the July bar, I'll buy some of the products. However, three companies either refuse to deliver the demo, or forgot about my request altogether. I'm sadly disappointed that even the DVD and product information touted by that weird gasoline infomercial somewhere in the nether-regions of my satellite channels, has yet to arrive.

The failure of these companies to perform got me thinking about my own undertakings. In a very similar fashion, our performance (or lack thereof) speaks volumes about our commitment to ourselves and others, including clients. The shallow or empty promises lead others to believe that other things take precedent over them. I learned early that when dealing with my 3 year-old, firm promises, followed by quick actions to correct bad behavior or encourage good behavior, were the two keys to proper development.

At the least, your company's communication policies should affirm your desires for timely and prosperous performance. Incorporate that policy into your marketing plan, and customers, clients, colleagues and friends will recognize your commitment to performance.

Here are three keys to better performance:

1. Set realistic expectations and limits on your communication by developing standards for responding to email and telephone interruptions (my advice is to limit responses to emails/phone calls to 2 particular hours each day, i.e. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.);
2. Ensure that customers, clients and colleagues know and understand your standards, and make them follow those standards;
3. Set inter-office regulations for handling and/or following up on previous client inquiries using tracking software, Outlook reminders, or another reliable (do not simply write them on a sheet of paper) method.

Remember, you should be the "full-service" individual. The best way to achieve that status is to develop the simple reputation as someone who can accomplish and complete the task.

Thinking about satellite radio

I've looked into getting Sirius. I love my iPod, but sometimes I want an alternative.

Well, the DOJ has approved a Sirius/XM merger.

FCC, PLEASE MAKE MY YEAR AND END MY HATRED OF BROADCAST RADIO.

Here's the story: http://newsok.com/article/3220290/1206405379?

Innovation

According to the ABA Journal, NYU now offers its LLM in tax online. Could I be the next [insert your most admired tax attorney]?

A dangerous precedent

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an Order restricting access to the Oklahoma court records. I think this is a stupid decision, and very poorly thought out, and despite my deference to the Supreme Court's infinite wisdom, this decision is also poorly reasoned.

However, if you're like me and seeking to fight this injustice, get involved. Here's an article explaining what you can do, and giving a little run-down on the affair. Google also has your fill of information related to this court records fiasco.

One of the most beneficial sources I've found is this article on NewsOK.com. I'm sure like every grass-roots project, "The Man" will love haring from us. But then again, lawyers are self-absorbed (i.e.: we can't even get debt reduction legislation passed), so this fight will fall by the wayside.

Will more schools follow

We've seen a recent push toward encouraging law students to pursue the public good. We've also seen students running en-masse from public service because of their enormously burdensome student loan debts. This ABA Journal report shows Harvard, of all schools, is promoting the public service initiative.

Can I transfer?

My life is complete

FYI, Google Calendar can sync with Outlook. This was my one hold-up about moving completely online, and now it's solved. Here's the how-to.

Thanks to Jim Calloway for alerting me.

Could it work?

Timothy Ferriss is the epitome of the uber-riche. After reading his biography, you'd wish to have one second of his lifestyle. He's obviously a "silver-spoon" right? Wrong. His parents have never made more than $50k combined. His lifestyle is the result of calculated planning and dedication. He exposes the secrets in his New York Times bestseller, The 4-hour Workweek: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. This book gives the seemingly obscure secrets to the millionaire lifestyle and ability to free more time for yourself or your family.

Although I'm only 5 chapters into the book, I already see methods for changing my lifestyle to enjoy greater family and vacation time. Ferriss' argument is that by being more productive in less hours, you can actually see more capital. Therefore, your increased productivity/capital enables you to remove yourself from the office, and work where and when you want.

While I agree with many of the suggestions thus far, I question whether Ferriss' philosophy can work for a service-based industry (doctors, lawyers, etc). My initial conclusion is that it cannot. Without dumping your first profession (in lieu of another products-based business) the professional cannot extricate themself from the office to live anywhere. The reason being, the clients/patients visit you because of your special skills and expertise. Moreover, I appreciate that some aspects of certain professions (i.e. transactional attorneys) promote or enable more freedom, the majority of service professions are tied to the office.

However, I don't think that this fact should be discouraging. I think solo practice offers a closer actualization of this goal than most other areas. The solo-practictioner depends on the client, but by being more productive, setting more focused goals, and taking time to appreciate being out of the office, the solo can more easily (and radically) change his or her self.

One of Ferris' biggest suggestions is to appreciate (stop) that useless time you're "working." His suggestion is that if you're "working" to be at work or feel productive, you're just wasting time. You can probably spend time elsewhere, doing more meaningful things. I've seen the reality of this by looking around my office, and in my own work habits. If I were to be totally honest with myself, the number of hours I've been "at work" and "working" is probably fewer than 20 per month. I think it's pretty common for most people to sluff off (surf the internet) because there really isn't that much to do, or we're procrastinating those things that actually need to get done. Ferris would say some like, "get your butt up, do what you have to do, and enjoy the free time you have because you completed your duty."

Overall, Ferriss offers some good advice, which, if heeded, can significantly improve your productivity, focus, and overall bottom-line; and everyone knows that a higher bottom-line equates to more family and personal time.

Side note: Ferriss takes off 1 month for every 2 months he works, and still makes $40,000/month.

Are we 20 years behind, or what?

For the most part, my family loves living in Oklahoma. We have friends we love like family, and we've carved out our little niche.

However, there are somethings that always make me laugh and say, "Only in Oklahoma." This story touches on one of those.

I laugh at the uproar over the environmental regulations. I grew up in California. Oklahoma was the first state I've been to that didn't requie an emissions or safety inspection prior to registering a car. While I typically disfavor additional costs or expenses (taxes), I do favor environmental protection, so I think that this is the right move.

Get with the times Oklahoma, start recycling, conserving and stop pollution.

The best advice

Doesn't it seem as though sometimes a great number of people always seem to offer their advice? Whether it's about a book they're reading, the latest movie, or unsolicited criticism regarding the best way to improve an already unimproveable literary disaster, someone is always willing to dispense their tiny insight. I think it's human nature to give an unprovoked critique.

An old, but agile, undergraduate professor understood and appreciated this dynamic. He'd avoid dispensing meaningless syllogisms, in favor of more a hearty review of morality.

At the end of our final class, this professor posited that he despised unsolicited advice, but felt a captive audience of young entrepreneurs would be more willing to accommodate his "tirade."

It was during this drawn out monologue, where I received a jewel of wisdom: "Find something to do, and love, that is more important than money."

I've tried to take this statement to heart. We saw today the demise of Gov. Spitzer, most likely because he couldn't find something to give him more satisfaction than his current life. FoxNews posted this article highlighting one of the major problems faced by people without a center of focus. I think the potent statement in the article is that "people with power are . . . more likely to pursue their own personal needs for satisfaction." I can't help but think about the wise professor's statement.

Comparison shopping

Are you looking to implement Office Live or Google Docs into your business model?

I've touted the benefits of both, and some of the limitations. I found a couple articles that do a really good job at summarizing the programs.

In this one, Google Docs wins. For some of the same reasons, I agree.

This second article gives a features comparison, that may or may not influence your decision.

Overall, I recommend if you're looking to collaborate with others, you'll be wise to get Google. Again, I recommend Office Live if you're using it for a business website. In the end,do the smart thing, and registered for both. You'll make yourself more effective and efficient.