October 17, 2014 nº 1,556 - Vol. 12
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back."
Eugene O'Neill
In today's Law Firm Marketing, How to prove your capabilities without sounding like an "expert"
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UN launches urgent Ebola aid appeal
UN chief Ban Ki-moon launches an urgent appeal for funds to help fight Ebola after a drive for donations falls short of its target. The UN chief said a $1bn trust fund he launched in September has received just $100,000 so far. He joins a growing chorus of world leaders criticizing the global effort to tackle the Ebola outbreak.
Panel votes to keep strong warning on smoking-cessation drug
A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel rejected an effort by Pfizer Inc. to remove boxed warnings of neuropsychiatric dangers on the label for Chantix, the company's smoking-cessation drug. The committee vote was 11 in favor of retaining existing warnings, with six suggesting modifications and one in favor of removal. Several panel members suggested adding sleep disturbances to the warnings. The FDA generally follows such recommendations, but doesn't have to do so. In this case, the panel said the issue could be reassessed following a study by Pfizer expected to be completed in 2015.
FBI chief warns against phone encryption
The head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation urged Silicon Valley Thursday to reverse course on encrypting phone data, suggesting the pendulum on privacy issues "has swung too far'' against the government. He called on Congress to update federal laws on how the government can intercept and monitor communication, a law he said has failed to keep pace with technological advances. Some communications services—such as apps or texts—aren't bound by the same laws that apply to older forms of communication and require companies to provide intercept capabilities to law enforcement. Federal law-enforcement officials grew alarmed last month when Apple announced it would use encryption on its phones that wouldn't allow the company to help police with a warrant examine data on the device. Soon after the announcement, Google said new versions of its phone operating system would come with a similar encryption feature. Technology companies have begun changing security features in response to the public backlash against government surveillance.
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1 - WPP takes UK government to court over contract - click here.
2 - Converse Sues Dozens for Selling Knockoffs of Chuck Taylor All Stars - click here.
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Alibaba finance arm follows Jack Ma in overseas expansion
The payment-processing affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) is expanding in the US and Russia as billionaire founder Jack Ma pushes the Chinese e-commerce giant beyond its home market.
Telecoms firm seeks to go global
Huawei is the first Chinese firm to break into the ranks of the top 100 best world brands. It is the world's biggest telecommunications company and one of the most innovative.
China warns against 'immoral' art
Chinese President Xi Jinping tells artists, authors and actors that their work should present socialist values and not carry the "stench of money".
How to prove your capabilities without sounding like an "expert"
By Tom Trush
How often do see words such as "expert," "skilled," "professional," or "knowledgeable" used in marketing materials?
Especially among service providers, these terms show up everywhere -- and understandably so. They give a glimpse into your capabilities.
But using these words creates a problem. Prospects see them so often that the language loses its effect. Being an "expert" or "professional" turns into just another common claim shared by others in your industry.
So how can you prove your skill and deepen desire for your product or service without sounding like everyone else?
Well, I suggest applying what I call The Kid Creation Effect. Let me share a short story to explain how it works ...
Last Saturday morning I walked into the kitchen to find my 5-year-old son making breakfast. This sight isn't unusual for the want-to-be chef -- Alex loves coming up with new kitchen creations.
This time he had frozen waffles, a loaf of a bread and syrup. First, he toasted two waffles and tossed them on his plate. Then he grabbed a slice of untoasted bread and placed it between the waffles. The stack was then slathered with syrup.
Alex sat at the table and devoured his breakfast with barely a breath.
No doubt, this situation would have been different if I presented him with the same meal.
"Why did you put bread between my waffles?" he would have asked while giving a confused look at his plate.
You see, kids have difficulty finding fault with just about anything they create or discover alone. And, not so surprisingly, adults often share this characteristic.
So, instead of forcing an idea/thought/fact on your prospects, gain an advantage by helping them come to conclusions on their own.
Self-tests work well for these situations. You simply walk prospects through questions that prove your knowledge, present a problem and help identify solutions related to your product or service.
Here's a self-test Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons used to demonstrate selective attention and promote their book: https://youtu.be/vJG698U2Mvo.
Here's one from Dr. Mehmet Oz (an excellent marketer) to help you determine if you have food allergies and should visit a doctor: https://www.doctoroz.com/videos/food-allergy-symptom-checker.
And here's Orabrush promoting a product while explaining how to tell when your breath stinks: https://youtu.be/nFeb6YBftHE (notice the free offer).
Remember, a conclusion can make your marketing message memorable, but a claim only makes it the same.
Tom Trush’s website is at https://www.writewaysolutions.com
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© Trey Ryder
FREE LAWYER MARKETING ALERT: If you'd like to receive Trey Ryder's weekly Lawyer Marketing Alert, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Write "Subscribe LMA" in the subject line and write your name and e-mail address in the body of the message.
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Energía
La empresa multinacional italiana Enel Green Power inicia la construcción de la planta fotovoltaica Lalackama II en la región norte de Chile, la cuarta de la compañía en el país sudamericano. La instalación tendrá una capacidad de 19 megavatios (MW) y un coste de US$32 mlls.
Acuerdo
El gobierno de Venezuela suscribió un acuerdo de cooperación con la empresa estatal china Dongfang Electric Machinery, para la modernización integral del sistema eléctrico nacional. Los recursos para la ejecución de las obras provienen de un préstamo del BID de US$ 700 mlls. y de otro de la Corporación Andina de Fomento de US$380 mlls. Además, se suma el aporte de la Corporación Eléctrica Nacional (Corpoelec) de US$ 230 mlls, lo que da un total de US$1.310 mlls.
Fraude
La fiscalía general de México investigará a una subsidiaria del grupo Banamex, filial del estadounidense Citigroup por presunto fraude y uso de información de comunicaciones interceptadas.
(Presione aquí)
Harvard Law professors say new sexual assault policy is one-sided
A group of 28 law professors has written an open letter criticizing the university's new sexual assault policy, citing due process concerns and saying it gives victims more rights than the accused.
Colombia farmers sue BP over environmental damage
More than 100 Colombian farmers on Wednesday filed a lawsuit with the UK high court against British company Equion Energia, previously known as BP Exploration Colombia (BPXC), for alleged negligence when it built the Ocensa oil pipeline. The farmers are seeking around USD $29 million in compensation for environmental damage caused by the pipeline, including severe soil erosion, reduced vegetation coverage and damaged water resources. The farmers' lawyers said that the farmers did not understand the agreements they signed with BPXC and said that they were not provided full and fair compensation for environmental damage caused by the pipeline. The trial is BP's first in Britain for its overseas business and is expected to last for four months.
French law targets binge drinkers
The French government has drafted a law aimed at tackling the growing problem of youth binge drinking. Anyone found guilty of inciting minors to drink excessive levels of alcohol could be sentenced to a year in prison or fined €15,000 ($18,000). France's health minister also said she wanted to take aim at T-shirts and mobile phone covers which glorify drunkenness. Increasing numbers of young French admit to binge drinking. Last year the culture ministry even approved a new phrase "beuverie express" to describe the binge-drinking phenomenon.
Third company owned by fallen businessman Batista files for bankruptcy
The filing on Thursday by the mining company MMX specifically applies to its iron mines in the state of Minas Gerais.
Fears that Pimco and other big firms could be unable to unload risky bonds
Financial experts warn that a small group of giant asset managers that have amassed high-risk, high-yield bonds could find themselves unable to raise enough cash during a sell-off. With banks being pressured to take fewer risks, they no longer trade or hold these securities in significant amounts. Wall Street executives worry about how the markets will react if funds start to sell off their concentrated positions.
Chiquita rejects banana buyout
US firm Chiquita rejects an offer from Brazilian billionaires Joseph Safra and José Luís Cutrale that would have valued the firm at $1.3bn, saying the offer was 'inadequate'.
Women can freeze their eggs for the future, but at a cost
Until recently, freezing a woman's eggs was reserved mainly for young women facing infertility as a result of cancer treatments like chemotherapy. But recent advances in technology have made freezing eggs easier and more successful, and likely have a lot to do with the recent decisions by Facebook and Apple to offer female employees a health benefit worth up to $20,000 to freeze their eggs. The benefit is intended for women who don't need to freeze eggs for medical reasons, but rather as a choice. This would likely appeal to women who want to focus on their careers instead of child rearing, as well as women who just haven't yet met "Mr. Right."
Oklahoma sued over 'botched' execution
The brother of Clayton Lockett, whose prolonged execution last April caused Oklahoma to suspend its death penalty to review procedures, filed a lawsuit against the state of Oklahoma Monday. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, contends that the execution, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, was a violation of Lockett's Eighth Amendment rights
Australia lawmakers urge government to scale back antiterror law
A committee of lawmakers Friday urged the government to amend a planned law aimed at preventing Australians from joining Islamic State as fighters, calling for more legislative oversight of the law ahead of consideration by Parliament next week. Apart from designating some countries as "no-go zones," returning citizens would need to prove they hadn't been engaged in terrorist activity or else face prison terms under the new law.
An appalling case for affirmative-consent laws
Extreme problems require extreme solutions. When wrongdoers are going unpunished, intrusive countermeasures are justified, even if they create new victims. Innocent-until-proven-guilty is nice in theory, but untenable in practice. The state should strike fear into innocents if it leads to fewer victims of violent crime. Ugly problems don't always have pretty solutions. These are the sorts of value judgments one expects from supporters of Stop and Frisk, "three strikes" laws, the prison at Gitmo, and racial profiling to stop illegal immigration. They're also the value judgments that Ezra Klein invokes in his endorsement of a California law requiring affirmative consent for sex on the state's college campuses. As he puts it, "Ugly problems don't always have pretty solutions." For now, let's set aside the hotly contested question of whether affirmative-consent laws are illiberal measures that will have extreme, negative consequences for everyone under their authority, or modest yet vital reforms that do not offend civil liberties. The truth of the matter isn't germane to the present discussion.
Airbnb, New York State spar over legality of rentals
Airbnb has a problem. The website for short-term room rentals is growing quickly. But in many cities, these rentals are illegal. Now, New York's attorney general has documented the extent of the illegal activity, by delving into the company's business records. Almost three-quarters of New York City bookings appear to break the law, he says. Thousands of these bookings happen every day in buildings all over New York. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says he's concerned about a whole host of issues connected with Airbnb rentals. Using his power of subpoena, Schneiderman gained access to more than four years of Airbnb's business records in New York City: the locations, the number of bookings and the price paid for each night's stay. This year alone, Airbnb will do about $280 million of business in the Big Apple. If it were a hotel, it would be the biggest in the city. But Airbnb is not a hotel, Schneiderman says, and that's important. Schneiderman argues the market is actually dominated by a small number of people renting out a large number of beds. These people start to distort the housing market, Schneiderman says, by turning residential apartments into illegal hotels.
Venezuela wins seat on U.N. Security Council
The last time Venezuela tried for a seat in 2006, the United States successfully lobbied against it. The US expressed disappointment about Venezuela's inclusion.
Disabled-access lawsuits soar
Small-business owners face a growing number of disabled-access lawsuits in the wake of a recent appeals court ruling giving rise to disabled "testers."
For more millennials, it's kids first, marriage maybe
Millennials, particularly those with less education, are upending the traditional order of love, marriage, baby carriage. Many say they don't feel financially secure enough to tie the knot.
Ukraine enacts anti-corruption laws to promote government accountability
The Ukrainian government on Tuesday passed five anti-corruption laws in an effort to cure past issues and work towards developing more transparency in government affairs. The anti-corruption law package addresses issues with Bureau corruption, creates principles of anti-corruption policy and prevents citizens from laundering money to fund terrorists or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated in regards to the new laws, "[t]he whole package submitted by the President and the Government, developed by international experts and the main thing—Ukraine expects this package: fair and transparent state authority, fair prosecutors and judges. And in order to make them fair, they should be all brought to light." The main goals illustrated by the Ukrainian government is to provide better oversight for officials, judges and other state authorities. The effort will provide more transparency to the public and encourage accountability.
Former Google lawyer Lee nominated to run Patent Office
Former Google Inc. lawyer Michelle K. Lee is being nominated to run the US Patent and Trademark Office, filling a seat in the Obama administration that has been vacant for almost two years.
Thailand official: martial law is good for tourists
Thailand's lure for tourists is powerful. The "land of smiles." The beaches. The temples. The mountains. Amazingly friendly people. But Thailand also has had a military government since a coup in May that ousted a democratically elected government, and now Thai tourism is in the dumps. Tourism arrivals are down about 20 percent compared with last year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is now fighting back with a new message, though perhaps it failed to run it by a focus group: "Martial law tourism." The Tourism Authority "is preparing a campaign called '24 Hours Enjoy Thailand' to attract foreign tourists to visit under martial law. Martial law is actually good for tourism because it ensures foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day.”
US steps up strikes on ISIL in Syria's Kobane
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Latest Updates / UN: Ebola death toll rising to 4,500 this week
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
UN launches urgent Ebola aid appeal
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Foo Fighters get Letterman choked up
CNN International, London, England
What a bunch of prize plonkers: This year's Apprentice hopefuls are the most self-deluded, narcissistic, sexist oafs yet. And that's just the women, says a former contestant
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Voting for Ukip will hand keys of No10 to Ed Miliband, poll finds
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Hong Kong protest site raided
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
All eyes on Putin as Asia-Europe summit opens
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
'No police state on way,' Turkish government says in bill's defense
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Postcard from... Paris
Independent The, London, England
Major Ukrainian TV provider drops Russian channels
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia
'I love you guys' says Ebola-stricken nurse Nina Pham from hospital bed
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Prodigal son: Jamie, Marquess of Blandford, in pictures
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Ting Hsin leaving Taiwan oil market
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Defectors Mustn't Stoke Groundless Hysteria
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
US Indian engineer gets 18 months in prison for stealing trade secrets
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India
4 persons booked in connection with gang rape case in Muzaffarnagar
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Obuchi is grilled over political funds abuse
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Ebola fears prompt big responses around globe
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Ukraine President cancels trip over protests in eastern Ukraine
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
'She's in the middle of it'
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Indonesia's president elect meets rival
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel have 'serious differences' over Ukraine: Kremlin
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
More Canadian help coming on Ebola, Harper tells Obama
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Stranded trekkers rescued in Nepal as avalanche, blizzard deaths rise to 29, more expected
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Liberty Reserve Brought Down By 'Joe Bogus': How The Feds Arrested Arthur Budovsky
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
High-Tech, High Yields: Caribbean Farmers Reap Benefits of ICT
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Goldman curbs bankers' compensation even as revenue surges
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
Obama open to appointing Ebola 'czar,' opposes travel ban
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Susan Fennell's support slipping as Linda Jeffrey holds steady in new Forum poll
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
UN launches urgent Ebola aid appeal
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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