Now that we've made it into the second half of 2010 (it started almost a week ago!), forward-thinking investors will start to plan ahead for 2011. We've already started working on projects that involve board nominations and shareholder proposals for early next year, with our filing deadlines coming up as soon as September 29, 2010.

It's worth considering the subject of whether to retain a proxy solicitor to assist with these efforts.

Most investors encounter proxy solicitors when they receive those odd, complicated multi-colored proxy cards from portfolio companies. A few investors I've talked to think that the company actually sends out these cards, and handles the replies. Not true.

A proxy solicitor sends out these cards, along with other materials for annual and special shareholder meetings, and receives and compiles the completed cards from investors. They do other things, too, some of them quite essential to an activist effort, others which you could easily handle on your own.

An investor that needs to become an activist usually hears they should retain a proxy solicitor - and, most investors have never done that before. So, questions arise:

Thoughtful investors looking to 2011 will consider these needs sooner rather than later.

Consult our discussion of proxy solicitors, a list of the most prominent ones, and a checklist for activist investors that need to decide whether and whom to retain.

See the TAI website for similar checklists, discussions, and other useful resources for investors that want to know more about activist strategies and tactics.