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Episode 17: Special Guest Hetal Kushwaha, Partner and Canadian Patent Agent at Marks & Clerk (Ottawa, CA) – Business Development in Post COVID World
In this podcast, I am joined by a special guest, Hetal Kushwaha of Marks & Clerk. Hetal is a Partner and Canadian Patent Agent based at Marks & Clerk’s Ottawa, Ontario office. Hetal has over 18 years of IP experience and focuses on drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the mechanical, electrical, and computer-related arts. Hetal, like me, has in-house experience to help serve clients with a business perspective. She also enjoys business development and networking which is the subject of this podcast. More about Hetal can be found at: www.marks-clerk.com/our-people/kushwaha-hetal/
Business development and networking is an important part of the legal practice, but unfortunately it is not typically taught in law school. Not everyone is an extrovert and feels comfortable approaching others to learn more about them and what they do. For most of us, it takes time and a bit of courage to reach out and connect with business people and others who may need our help with IP questions and issues. Often many people have IP questions but don’t know where to look for answers, are uncomfortable asking, or don’t realize they have them in the first place!
In this podcast, Hetal and I discuss various approaches to reaching out and asking questions – using LinkedIn®, networking events, conferences, generating IP-related content, and others. That is the most important part of networking and business development – caring about others and being genuinely curious about what they do and who they are. Only by asking questions can we learn if they have any IP issues or concerns and if we may be able to help. In any event, asking questions and connecting with others is the most important part of business development and pays dividends now and in the future.
We discussed:
- How building a network is key for IP professionals, especially those starting out
- How COVID has changed networking, and how to evolve with those changes
- Being flexible about contacting clients and new connections – match and mirror
- Using video conferencing like Zoom® to your advantage
- Digital marketing and personal branding – becoming a thought leader
- Genuinely caring about your clients and others you connect with
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