What Every Company Needs on Their Website
27/09/10 20:50
What Every Company
Needs on Their Website
By James McRoy (c) 2010
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Even the best-run business is guilty of starving the media of good usable content for use by the press. When you have a small team with enormous time constraints, the problem is even worse. Just how do you let the world know how good you are?
PR is an absolute boon for small businesses; it is much more effective than pure advertising and the big bonus is - it's free! Free in terms of cost, but not in effort.
Developing a PR strategy takes time, effort, clarity of purpose, and an amount of doggedness on the part of the company, but for the majority of companies, time is a really precious commodity that is 'best devoted to churning out the finished product, project or service.'
Most companies have newsworthy events, things that they could really bang the drum about - if only they had the time and the resources. Lately there has been a solution to this appearing on really well thought-out websites; the virtual Press Office.
What is a Virtual Press Office? The Virtual Press Office is a dedicated page or pages on your website, where you can place information about your organization or industry for use by journalists who may want to create stories, articles or features for their publications. These are also referred to as online media or press centers. In these dedicated areas you will find a host of useful background information about the company, including archived releases, fact sheets, case studies, contact details for the company spokesman, hi-resolution image downloads - in fact, anything that will make life easier for the journalist researching either your company or your industry in general.
While your website might already carry the information in its various pages, why not make life easier for the journalists or researchers by holding specific, relevant information on dedicated media pages?
How useful this actually might be was brought home to us when one of our clients, Drilcorp, a Specialist Drilling Contractor in the UK, suddenly found news articles appearing in one of their industry international journals.
It was obvious from the content that these articles had been lifted directly from their news pages and as their web development and marketing team we realized the potential of having a dedicated area where the media could access and download relevant releases and high quality imagery relating to the news story of the day.
Plus, having a company spokesman's details on the site also has the potential for additional expansion on the stories. In addition, lifting pictures from a website and then using them in print media produces really poor quality final images, so the benefit of having high-resolution images to accompany the articles is a much higher quality printed article; better for both the journalist and the source company.
To ensure that the news stories hit the right desks, we are also setting up an RSS feed for journos to subscribe to so that when we upload the news, it is pinged right to their RSS feeds.
If you are unfamiliar with RSS feeds, here is a brief overview of how they work: RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication.' It is a system that automatically 'pulls' web pages from a website and displays them on the RSS subscriber's PC (or Mac!) desktop. It is like subscribing to receive information directly from a website - except, unlike a website which you have to visit, the information from the web page is delivered direct to you. And unlike emails, the recipient decides if they want to receive this information.
How to Develop an Effective Virtual Press Office
The key here is the acronym KISS. (Keep It Simple Stupid) - Put your most relevant and important content in this area, but don't overload it with everything you have.
– Update it frequently and encourage further contact from the press.
– Always have a spokesman ready with a prepared statement that reflects company policy.
– Make sure that the spokesman is well briefed on what not to say as well as what to comment on.
– Put case studies and photography in here - you would be surprised at how much the press really love unique content, and on this note ensure that the photography is at or at least near to professional standard.
– If you find that you are answering the same question time and time again, compile these questions and answers into a FAQ section or even create a mini 'White Papers' for use as reference documents by the press.
This will establish your reputation as the authority for the industry and your articles and opinions will be highly sought after.
– Request notification of any articles that may be published by the participating media; it is cheaper than using a 'clipping service' - a paid for service that searches for and collects media mentions about your organization and sends them to you.
As your website is often the first point of contact for your organization, it is worth investing the time to keep it as fresh as possible and as useful as possible. It will repay you many times over and really create a great relationship with the media.
About The Author
James McRoy is an ebusiness consultant with the Images Group www.theimagesgroup.co.uk. The Images Group specialize in website optimization and profit extraction systems.
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Students lectured on the power of the law
03/07/10 11:57
A former Foreign Minister will be taking to the podium at the upcoming law student event of the year.
The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) has announced that the Honourable Gareth Evans AO QC will be the keynote speaker for the opening dinner at the ALSA Conference 2010, to be held in Adelaide this month.
The event will bring together about 500 law students legal professionals. The legal gathering allows students to attend the law competitions circuit, attend Legal Education Forums, contribute at ALSA Council and network.
Evans himself, who had a 21 year political career, most notably as Foreign Minister (1988-96), will base his speech on the power of the law in protecting those at risk.
Evans had a long-running involvement in this issue. He was co-chair of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, co-chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, and president emeritus of the International Crisis Group. This background led to him being the recipient of the 2010 Four Freedoms Award for Freedom from Fear.
Meanwhile, the acting International co-prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), William Smith, will be the key note speaker at the Closing Gala Dinner.
For over a decade, Smith worked as a trial attorney, legal officer and analyst at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. He was also the International Deputy Co-Prosecutor of the ECCC for three years before taking up his current position.
The ALSA Conference 2010 will be held in Adelaide from 12-18 July this year.
The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) has announced that the Honourable Gareth Evans AO QC will be the keynote speaker for the opening dinner at the ALSA Conference 2010, to be held in Adelaide this month.
The event will bring together about 500 law students legal professionals. The legal gathering allows students to attend the law competitions circuit, attend Legal Education Forums, contribute at ALSA Council and network.
Evans himself, who had a 21 year political career, most notably as Foreign Minister (1988-96), will base his speech on the power of the law in protecting those at risk.
Evans had a long-running involvement in this issue. He was co-chair of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, co-chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, and president emeritus of the International Crisis Group. This background led to him being the recipient of the 2010 Four Freedoms Award for Freedom from Fear.
Meanwhile, the acting International co-prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), William Smith, will be the key note speaker at the Closing Gala Dinner.
For over a decade, Smith worked as a trial attorney, legal officer and analyst at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. He was also the International Deputy Co-Prosecutor of the ECCC for three years before taking up his current position.
The ALSA Conference 2010 will be held in Adelaide from 12-18 July this year.
Mallesons appoints 31 year old partner
03/07/10 11:56
JUST nine years after he joined Mallesons Stephen Jaques as a law clerk, Paul Lingard has been made a partner at the firm.
Mallesons has appointed the 31-year-old Lingard as a partner in its Perth office, reflecting his track record as an emerging market leader.
Part of the M&A team, Lingard has experience in energy and resources, major projects, electricity and gas and acts for Australia's largest resources and energy companies including BHP Billiton, Synergy and TRUenergy.
The firm said today that Lingard has led a number of high profile transactions including Synergy’s wholesale energy procurement programs, the establishment of the Western Australian Electricity Market, preparing documentation for large commercial projects and acting on the sale of a number of major national infrastructure assets.
Partner in Charge of the firm's Perth office, Beau Deleuil, said: “[Lingard’s] appointment as a partner reflects the outstanding contribution he has made to Mallesons’ energy & resources practice and the regard in which he is held by clients.
Lingard makes an impact with clients, said Deleuil.
Lingard said of his recent promotion: "I am very grateful for this opportunity. Mallesons' commitment to M&A and the energy and resources sectors and to our clients in those sectors is crucial to the firm's ongoing success and I am very pleased to be a part of this focus".
Paul Lingard’s promotion is effective from today.
Mallesons has appointed the 31-year-old Lingard as a partner in its Perth office, reflecting his track record as an emerging market leader.
Part of the M&A team, Lingard has experience in energy and resources, major projects, electricity and gas and acts for Australia's largest resources and energy companies including BHP Billiton, Synergy and TRUenergy.
The firm said today that Lingard has led a number of high profile transactions including Synergy’s wholesale energy procurement programs, the establishment of the Western Australian Electricity Market, preparing documentation for large commercial projects and acting on the sale of a number of major national infrastructure assets.
Partner in Charge of the firm's Perth office, Beau Deleuil, said: “[Lingard’s] appointment as a partner reflects the outstanding contribution he has made to Mallesons’ energy & resources practice and the regard in which he is held by clients.
Lingard makes an impact with clients, said Deleuil.
Lingard said of his recent promotion: "I am very grateful for this opportunity. Mallesons' commitment to M&A and the energy and resources sectors and to our clients in those sectors is crucial to the firm's ongoing success and I am very pleased to be a part of this focus".
Paul Lingard’s promotion is effective from today.
Brisbane firm makes round of promotions
03/07/10 11:56
BRISBANE law firm HopgoodGanim Lawyers has announced the promotion of nine of its lawyers.
The promotions include the advancement of resources specialist Dr Jonathan Fulcher, a leading native title lawyers as ranked by Chambers Global for the past four consecutive years, to the firm’s partnership.
Managing partner Bruce Humphrys said the promotions demonstrate the firm’s commitment to providing strong career development and progression opportunities for staff.
“HopgoodGanim is committed to providing a clear career path for our employees.”
As part of the promotions, Alison Ross has been appointed a special counsel in the firm’s family law practice.
New associates include Aaron Alcock in litigation and dispute resolution, Hayden Delaney in intellectual property and technology, Janelle Kenzler in commercial property, Jessica Paten in industrial and employment law, Sam Kingston in litigation and dispute resolution, Susan Malone in planning and development and Tim Scanlan in business services and structuring.
The promotions include the advancement of resources specialist Dr Jonathan Fulcher, a leading native title lawyers as ranked by Chambers Global for the past four consecutive years, to the firm’s partnership.
Managing partner Bruce Humphrys said the promotions demonstrate the firm’s commitment to providing strong career development and progression opportunities for staff.
“HopgoodGanim is committed to providing a clear career path for our employees.”
As part of the promotions, Alison Ross has been appointed a special counsel in the firm’s family law practice.
New associates include Aaron Alcock in litigation and dispute resolution, Hayden Delaney in intellectual property and technology, Janelle Kenzler in commercial property, Jessica Paten in industrial and employment law, Sam Kingston in litigation and dispute resolution, Susan Malone in planning and development and Tim Scanlan in business services and structuring.
Partners claim the prize after mass redundancies
03/07/10 11:55
PARTNER profits have skyrocketed as firms chipped away at staff numbers in the past year.
At Allen & Overy LLP, one of London’s top-grossing law firms, partner profits rose 10 per cent after massive lawyer cuts.
Allen & Overy is the first UK firm to post profits from the 2009-10 financial year.
Revenue fell 4 per cent to £1.05 billion ($1.88bn) for the year ending 30 April, the firm has said in a statement. Profits per partner, the standard method for measuring law firm results, rose to £1.1 million ($1.96 million) on average – up from £1m ($1.79m) last year.
The firm also confirmed that staff costs fell 11 per cent to £384m ($687m), which had about 450 partners globally. In February 2009. The firm fired 250 lawyers and 200 staff in a £46m ($82m) restructuring.
“We have made strategic choices to secure future growth, and in doing so have built resilience into our business, enhances our global reach and diversified out practice area mix,” Wim Dejonghe, managing partner of the firm, said.
Equity partners received individual profits ranging from 661,000 pounds ($1.18 million) to £1.65m ($2.9m). This was combined with the fact that as overall firm profit fell less than 1 per cent to £428.8m ($768.8m), the average number of partners declined by 39.
At Allen & Overy, other income was derived from sub-letting space in the firm’s London headquarters, which generated £2m. Finance director Ian Dinwiddie said the firm had been “particularly successful in [letting] spare space to American law firms”.
The firm occupies around 550,000 sq ft of the 700,000 sq ft building at One Bishops’ Square on the fringes of the City. Paul Hastings, Proskauer Rose and Akin Gump occupy most of the rest of the space.
The results come as Allen & Overy announced it would open in Indonesia through an association with Daniel Ginting Law Firm. The one-partner office will target Islamic finance, capital markets and project finance opportunities. A&O joins a handful of international firms, including Baker & McKenzie, Herbert Smith and Norton Rose, that have a presence in Jakarta through local associations.
At Allen & Overy LLP, one of London’s top-grossing law firms, partner profits rose 10 per cent after massive lawyer cuts.
Allen & Overy is the first UK firm to post profits from the 2009-10 financial year.
Revenue fell 4 per cent to £1.05 billion ($1.88bn) for the year ending 30 April, the firm has said in a statement. Profits per partner, the standard method for measuring law firm results, rose to £1.1 million ($1.96 million) on average – up from £1m ($1.79m) last year.
The firm also confirmed that staff costs fell 11 per cent to £384m ($687m), which had about 450 partners globally. In February 2009. The firm fired 250 lawyers and 200 staff in a £46m ($82m) restructuring.
“We have made strategic choices to secure future growth, and in doing so have built resilience into our business, enhances our global reach and diversified out practice area mix,” Wim Dejonghe, managing partner of the firm, said.
Equity partners received individual profits ranging from 661,000 pounds ($1.18 million) to £1.65m ($2.9m). This was combined with the fact that as overall firm profit fell less than 1 per cent to £428.8m ($768.8m), the average number of partners declined by 39.
At Allen & Overy, other income was derived from sub-letting space in the firm’s London headquarters, which generated £2m. Finance director Ian Dinwiddie said the firm had been “particularly successful in [letting] spare space to American law firms”.
The firm occupies around 550,000 sq ft of the 700,000 sq ft building at One Bishops’ Square on the fringes of the City. Paul Hastings, Proskauer Rose and Akin Gump occupy most of the rest of the space.
The results come as Allen & Overy announced it would open in Indonesia through an association with Daniel Ginting Law Firm. The one-partner office will target Islamic finance, capital markets and project finance opportunities. A&O joins a handful of international firms, including Baker & McKenzie, Herbert Smith and Norton Rose, that have a presence in Jakarta through local associations.
