The PM Forum is a 5,000 strong regionally-based members' association, formed in 1996, dedicated to raising the standards of professional services marketing and to enhancing the credibility of marketers working in professional service firms worldwide.

The PM Forum held its first annual conference in London last month discussing the topic of helping fee earners develop and retain business. Carolyn Bointon and Tamsin Edwards report.

pm October 1996, Carolyn Bointon (Freeth Cartwright LLP), Tamsin Edwards

A full house consisting mainly of marketing managers, at which this event was directed, turned up to hear Tim Dixon-Phillip share his secrets to selling professional services successfully with the Forum in Leeds.

pm December 2003, Simon Kingsnorth (Words & Pictures Ltd)

If you have ever made a presentation that was an unmitigated disaster or worked on a pitch that lacked a certain 'je ne sais quoi', then hopefully you were able to attend the Annual Forum dinner at The Ivy Restaurant in London.

pm July 2008, Carly Tresadern (Memery Crystal LLP)

Before we discuss the differences, it is worth understanding why the differences matter. Isn’t ‘business development’ just another word for ‘marketing’ which lawyers are more likely to tolerate and spend money on?

pm September 2003, Fiona Spiers (Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP)

Bringing in new work is always important, but it has never been more so than in the current economic environment.

pm July 2009, Sharon Kaufman (Marks Paneth & Shron LLP), Kim Dreyer (Marks Paneth & Shron LLP)

Gavin Duffy, of media coaching company, Media Training, and most recently one of the Dragons on the Irish series of television programme Dragon’s Den, gave the Dublin Forum meeting tips on putting your best foot forward when tendering and pitching.

pm July 2009, Julie Weinmann (Matheson Ormsby Prentice)

What is 'flair' and how can we inject it into pitches and proposals to gain a competitive edge? john de Forte gave his thoughts to members in London.

pm December 2009, Dominic Graham (Deloitte)

Professional services marketing has truly come into its own.

pm May 2004, Jean Caragher (Capstone Marketing Inc.)

Steven Pearce gave an informative and throught-provoking presentation tothe Forum in Bristol on pitching techniques.

pm March 2010, Alison Woodhead

In an environment of tremendous pressure and considerable change any professional services firm will agree that business development is fundamental to survival and growth. Selling is at the core of business issues.

pm October 2004, Robert Halton (DLA Piper LLP)