Aficionados of medical dramas (like me) will recognize this as the adage of the surgeon. It’s their learning curve. See a procedure. Do the procedure. Teach the procedure. They believe that this is the strongest way to learn a new skill in their profession. I think this method would work for lawyers as well, but [...]
I recently heard about this theory from the tech world, but I think it has relevance in the legal environment, as well. When a business first starts, it aims to produce a product or service that its members can feel good about. They want to be proud of what they have created, and the service [...]
Years ago, when I served as the President of the Legal Marketing Association, I would get antsy if I looked around the table during board meetings, and all 12 of us were completely on-side with a new idea or project. I knew it probably meant that we weren’t being critical enough. So, I would stop [...]
When I give presentations, I’m often asked “what is the biggest contributor to a law firm’s business success?” There are so many possible answers to that question, but I know those who know me would guess I would say “planning”. Yes, I do heavily endorse personal and business planning. But that wouldn’t be my answer. [...]
(This article first appeared in SLAW). The other day, an international client of mine thinking about re-entering the Canadian marketplace asked me why there was so little loyalty in Canadian law firms these days. He was referring to the amount of lawyer churn in most law firms. I don’t believe this issue is limited to [...]
Typically, lawyers work from 40 – 80 hours per week. If they are able to bill out 2/3rds of that time, they are lucky (or organized). But it could be better. The difference between billed work and the rest of that time is often wasted or at least under-utilized time. That’s because most lawyers don’t [...]
This post is for law firm leaders as well as for senior managers. My last submission to SLAW focussed on ensuring you don’t alienate your law firm with your decision process. This one focusses on another barrier to firm success: bullies. Cutting my teeth as a law firm marketer, I was very aware of law [...]
I’m concerned that some people might not truly understand the ultimate impact of the Roe vs. Wade reversal by the US Supreme Court – regardless of where you live. Like the potential alienation of 51% of the population who – let’s face it – only became “persons” within the past century and are now already [...]
The other day, I was listening to a Freakanomics podcast featuring an interview with Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella. Like or hate Microsoft, they are a heck of an enduring business success. So, when their CEO of the past nine years shares his beliefs about running a business, I listen. The bulk of the interview was [...]
(This post first appeared in SLAW). I provide a wide range of services to law firms, so I can always tell what’s happening in the industry by the run on certain types of services. Sometimes I seem to do nothing but coaching; lawyers wanting to improve their personal skills in a range of business areas. [...]