Research shows that professional services firms can improve their approaches to attract, retain and develop their clients. However, even those firms that have invested in marketing and business development are now facing the challenges of integration of these functions along with sophisticated digital and global communications. Clients now have opportunities to research potential suppliers through a variety of channels including social media. Many of the large and medium-sized firms have global clients seeking local servicing. This book covers both strategic and tactical perspectives and processes for all involved in seeking, keeping, developing and servicing clients. The text is supported by the annual Marketing Benchmark carried out by Meridian West and the Managing Partner's Forum combined with a new, 2015, BD Benchmark of professional service practitioners. The findings, complemented with interviews with practitioners, fee-earners and clients, will underpin the practical advice and professional service examples provided by the authors. Effective Marketing and Business Development in Professional Services offers a new model of integration between marketing, business development, firm's culture and buyer behaviour. In doing so, it addresses the issues that are at the heart of professional service firms' struggle to survive and thrive in a fast-changing world market.
