For “LEADING” Rainmaker Insights Follow Cordell Parvin’s Blog
I know that changing a frame of reference, moving a team past an entrenched mindset or pushing through a stale comfort zone are keys to growing your business. One example: all lawyers are trained in the art of practicing law but only some lawyers are trained in the art of developing business.
Making a conscious choice to get better at effective networking is not easy but that’s one key for controlling your destiny. If you’re “leading” as a managing partner or CMO in a law firm, I encourage you follow Cordell Parvin’s blog. He’s my client. He’s also a rainmaker’s who built a national construction law practice. Since retiring from practice, Cordell has coached over 1,000 lawyers–many have developed multi-million dollar practices. Cordell has a knack for getting lawyers moving in the right direction. He transforms. His steady influence is changing the lives of the lawyers he coaches.
Need proof? Cordell coached another client of mine. His name is Dave Donoghue. Dave is a partner at Holland & Knight. He authors Chicago IP Litigation Blog and Retail Patent Litigation. Dave rubbed elbows with Cordell in a past life.
I wanted to learn firsthand about Dave’s experience with Cordell so I emailed Dave a few questions:
“What’s your biggest takeaway from your time with Cordell? How did he make a difference in your law practice? How did he influence you?”
Dave’s 2/1/12 reply:
“Cordell is phenomenal. Cordell has the significant benefit of having built his own practice and he combines that with a genuine love and appreciation for basically everyone he meets. So, he quickly develops an interest in everyone he coaches and can offer real insight. This alone would be nice, but not all that powerful if he were teaching how to do it the way he did it 40 years ago.Instead, Cordell has adapted amazingly to the new realities of legal practice and has phenomenal insights into it. The other thing that struck me about him early on (as an associate being coached by him at Jenkens) was his extreme honesty…(omitted)…Bottom line, Cordell is excellent at adapting himself to business realities and to individual personalities. His “formula” is universal and exceptionally effective.”
Developing business absent a strategic plan is a dangerous slog up a glacier without the proper equipment. Cordell equips you with what you need to succeed. Here’s how he thinks: Practical Success: Preparing A Business Development Plan. Thanks, Dave, for helping me memorialize Cordell’s good work.
Images: Cordell & Nancy at Bent Tree CC & Mt. Rainier Climb (Copyright © 2012, Kevin P. McKeown. All Rights Reserved.)