One of my all time favorite quotes about justice, especially since coming here to Round Table Group, where we get to work with passionate, dedicated experts and clients every day. It takes hard work to see justice.


"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals."
Martin Luther King, Jr


Safe Holidays to All!

Working from home is a growing trend, according to Caroline Tice, in her blog posting about "small business owners running viable businesses from their homes." or Homepreneurs. Anecdotal evidence has lead me to believe most expert witnesses also work from home-based office. If you are one of the over 13 million homepreneurs in America, you probably already know what I will be be suggesting, but for everyone else, especially new experts, just starting up in the field, here are some things every expert witness needs for working at home. Undoubtedly, this list will grow.

Get up to speed on  web conferencing and internet presentation skills, such as Webex. I tried the trial version of Webex and was pleasantly surprised on how easy it was to install, understand, and use! Its an easy way to show your clients that it does not matter where you work from. Get up to speed on video conferencing, and offer your clients the opportunity to see you, even if they don't have the ability to reciprocate. Most new laptops and monitors have small cameras built into them already, but you might also want to consider investing 30-80 bucks or so into a good web cam, which can mount on your monitor or rest on a desk or shelf. Tip: place it so that the background behind you reflects the type of image you want to present.
 
Make sure you have regularly scheduled professional face time with colleagues, at conferences, association meetings, continuing education, etc. One of the hazards of working from home, as opposed to a large office or university department, is isolation from your colleagues, and from potential clients! Professional conferences are an excellent way to keep up with the newest developments and ideas and people in your field.

My own personal necessity is a good a lock on the refrigerator, buts that's another story.

I's like to hear from other homepreneurs on what they think of this post!

Twice in my years here at Round Table Group an expert has withdrawn from a case. This most recent time was back in 2008. When we finally got the wayward expert witness on the phone, he refused to say why he withdrew, only that it wasn't worth his while. Speculation around the virtual water cooler was that nefarious corporate pressure had forced the expert's withdrawal.But all speculation aside, there are some fairly serious consequences to abandoning a client mid-case as Edward Hoffman writes in his posting.

True Story: There was a second example, but it turns out the expert had actually died mid-case. Fortunately for the left-in-the-lurch client, she was using a professional expert witness referral firm that was able to draw on the vast network of Round Table Group expert witnesses and professional staff to find a replacement in a timely manner.

Many expert witnesses are new to the industry. Its logical, of course, as they have been spending the last few (or few dozen) years actually becoming an expert. So how can experts get their name and reputation into the awareness of those who need them? Round Table Group can help! Here are four ways to market your expertise.

Develop a powerful and compelling web presence, by creating a professional web site that includes your CV, publications, conferences, awards, previous expert witness work, and of course your contact information. Link this to your professional blog, if you have the time to put into one. Web sites are getting easier for the layman to create, or invest in having a professional web developer build one for you. If you go this route, be certain to get a firm price quote before you start.

Use your social networks, both the personal 'hand shake' type of network of colleagues and associates, as well as professional internet social networking services, such as LinkedIn. Let your colleagues know that you are actively seeking expert witness opportunities. Many will already be in the industry, and may have opportunities, or at least some advice to share with you.

Join an expert witness referral service. We can do much of your marketing for you. There are some key things to look for in a good expert witness referral service, such as reputation, service, geographic and area of expertise scope, and of course, client base.

Consider consulting with a reputable marketing firm, particularly if they specialize in working with expert witnesses. Like your area of expertise, marketing is a highly specialized field, with its own experts. 

Go to pertinent conferences where potential clients will gather in large numbers. These are great places to meet people, learn about the current litigation trends, and of course, pick up some great swag. 

Round Table Group has a whole team of expert services coordinators who are ready to assist you in building your expert witness business.
 

 

Many of us work from home offices. Its a smart business model, for some. I have been sending Carol Tice's posting about Homepreneurism to quite a few of our new experts lately. You might enjoy it too. 

Building your business means planning ahead. Plan ahead for 2010. Here are three links that every expert witness should check out for 2010

The INTA Conference, in Boston: Every expert should go to some upcoming conferences. Its a great way to build networks and insight. And if you possibly can, you should go to the International Trademark Association conference. Its well worth your time. There are so many people to meet, experts, entrepreneurs, lawyers, firms of all sizes, vendors, terrific guest speakers. I got to INTA this last year, 2009, in Seattle. It was a a really good conference, well manged, well attended. We met some terrific folks from West-law, and of course Bob and Shelly at Applied Marketing Science, and hundreds of experts and independent consultants who stopped by to say hi to us. This next year its in Boston, May 22 through the 26. Round Table Group will be there!

Learn Business Develop Ideas. I really like this Blog that Meredith writes for Expert Communications, an expert witness training and marketing firm. She writes better and more clearly than most  Every expert should learn how to promote themselves, and their business, and there are some good resources for experts in her postings. Check out her Blog posting on retainers, as well.

Hire the Best Expert: I just had my end-of-year sit down with my 'tax guy', who along with many other fine qualities, recognized early on my near total ignorance about taxes in general. It is always an hour well spent. Many experts work from home offices, or have a small business, and the tax implications of both are significant.When i went looking for a good tax professional a few years back, i wanted to see certifications, and industry standards (like the NATP or ACPA), academic degrees, evidence of continuing education, and specifically, i needed expertise in new home ownership, and work from home small businesses. What expertise do you need from a tax professional? Finding the right tax professional is a smart business development move.
Toby