“Focus on our teams and make sure they have the right guidance, support, encouragement, and resources to flourish.” Ben Paul and The BD Ladder include my thoughts in their 2026 video forecast for professional services marketing and business development

Thank you, Ben Paul and The BD Ladder, for including my thoughts in this video, and for compiling these great insights from others. Honored to be included alongside these wonderful voices! And I stand by my answer that one of the best things we can do as marketing and business development leaders is to focus on our teams and make sure they have the right guidance, support, encouragement, and resources to flourish.

Ben writes …

What is the one BD or marketing trend professional services firms should focus on this year?

I asked a group of BD and marketing leaders from around the world to answer just that one question.

Simon Munro, Duncan Cotterill; Naomi Lynn, BDO in Australia; Zach Shaw, Halim Hong & Quek, a member firm of Andersen Global; and Roy Sexton, Vedder, recorded short responses, and I’ve stitched their insights into a single video.

The result is a collection of perspectives from across the global professional services community on where firms should focus their business development and marketing efforts in 2026.

Watch the video here.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed their insights.

I’d also be interested to hear your view.

If firms focus on just one BD or marketing trend this year, what should it be?

“Create a footprint for who you are, what you like, and what you enjoy” … yours truly interviewed by Deborah Farone for her upcoming book through Practising Law Institute (PLI) – “Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices,” to be released January 2026

Truly honored to have been interviewed by my dear pal Deborah Farone for her upcoming book through Practising Law Institute (PLI) – Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices, to be released January 2026.

(The quote in the graphic – taken from the book – references my, er, obsession with social media. 😅)

The book can be pre-ordered here with a 20% discount: https://www.pli.edu/catalog/publications/treatise/breaking-ground-how-successful-women-lawyers-build-thriving-practices/440257 … so proud of you, Deb, and thank you for the kindness you always show me and so many others!

About the book: “Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices is based on more than 60 in-depth interviews with leading women rainmaking lawyers, law firm chairs, business development experts, and academics from across the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. The book explores how women at the top of their profession cultivate client relationships, develop new business, and build sustainable practices—while navigating the particular challenges of the legal world. Through personal stories, candid advice, and actionable strategies, the book offers a roadmap for lawyers at every stage of their careers who want to grow their practices and build trusted relationships with clients.”

Webinar video replays a-go-go! DraftnCraft’s The New Age Law Firm: Lean Teams & Flexible Spaces and ExpertPress’ Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partner’s Legal Experience for Business Development Success … both with yours truly #lmamkt #lma24

The New Age Law Firm: Lean Teams & Flexible Spaces

From Draft n Craft: “Big shoutout to these amazing legal and marketing experts for making this session a fun and enlightening experience! Let’s keep the good vibes going and continue rocking the legal world!” 

View recording here.

Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partner’s Legal Experience for Business Development Success

And from ExpertPress: “Learn how to harness your legal expertise and thought leadership to drive business development success. Listen to this webinar hosted by The Expert Press’ Andrew Polzl as he talks with Roy Sexton and Laura Galeano, Esq.. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn key tips and suggestions from the experts.” 

View recording here.

Discover how to:

Turn expert news articles into engines for business development.

Raise attorney profiles without sacrificing billable hours.

Create impactful content that captivates target audiences and helps convert new business.

Stay ahead of the ever-evolving media landscape by diving into new techniques and adapting for maximum impact.

Of scouts and leaders, lawyers and tape measures … Legal Marketing Coffee Talk with guest Mark Beese, president of Leadership for Lawyers

VIDEO LINKS … Facebook: https://fb.watch/e736QkZrLg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kates-media_lmct-legalmarketing-lmamkt-activity-6950571168760299520-sX8i?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=ios_app

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tKUrJq2o7L4

Rob Kates and I had a marvelous time chatting with fab Mark Beese, president of Leadership for Lawyers, about the core principles of inclusive, collaborative #leadership, particularly as related to transformational change in #lawfirms. We discuss core change style indicators by leader type (conserver, pragmatist, originator) and how to create greater team balance. Mark also shares with us lessons learned on his recent #scoutjamboree trip to Korea and how #scouting has informed his consulting practice.

Other assorted topics include #dogs, #birthdays, #collecting, #tapemeasures, #tripods, #Cats, #lawyers, #givingback, #millennials, and #compassion.

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk, Thursday, July 7, with fab guest Mark Beese, president of Leadership for Lawyers … #lmamkt

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is back this Thursday with host, Roy Sexton, and his guest, Mark Beese, president of Leadership for Lawyers.

Facebook: https://fb.watch/e736QkZrLg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kates-media_lmct-legalmarketing-lmamkt-activity-6950571168760299520-sX8i?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=ios_app

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tKUrJq2o7L4

Mark helps lawyers and other professionals become more effective leaders, innovators and business developers. As a consultant, he provides insight, direction, training, coaching and support to leaders of law firms, legal departments and professional service firms. Mark’s clients range from small, one-office firms to global Amlaw 100 firms. He is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and a recipient of the Legal Marketing Association Hall of Fame.

Roy and Mark promise to have a robust and wide-ranging conversation on the state of the legal industry, where things are headed, and opportunities for legal marketers and business developers within that paradigm. You won’t want to miss this one!

Join us Thursday, July 7th, at 3 PM ET!

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is brought to you by: By Aries and Kates Media: Video Production