Most law firms are contradictory when it comes to retreat philosophies. They want to ensure that a retreat isn’t a colossal waste of time and money; but they want everyone to have fun. They want to get substantial work done; but they want to focus on team building and the social aspect. They want attendees [...]
My friends and colleagues know me as someone who can get a tremendous amount done in a typical day, week, month or year. My secret is that I’m an efficiency nut. Over the years, I’ve developed a series of strategies that have helped me to remain as productive and organized as possible. I’ve shared these [...]
If you were to go on a holiday, would you just jump in your car and start driving? Of course you wouldn’t. You’d determine your destination. You’d figure out the best time to go. You’d book accommodations and make travel arrangements. You’d consider the costs involved, and you’d pack according to the weather and your [...]
Ideally, 2017 planning would be well underway but for those just starting, there’s still time to plan well for 2017. Here's how... Critique 2016. As each year’s plan is intended to get you one year closer to your final destination (the goals in your strategic plan, five or ten years out), you [...]
There are three trends I learned last week that should fundamentally reshape your marketing strategy right now. Last week I attended Social Media Camp, the national Social Media conference held in Victoria, B.C. each year. There, Social Media (or “social” as the in-crowd calls it) gurus from around the world gathered to discuss the latest [...]
I help professionals change behaviors to accomplish their business goals. These are very smart, accomplished individuals. So why do they need me? The answer might help you to coach yourself! It’s still early enough in the year to reference that bane of February, the New Year’s resolution. Many of us make them – stats say [...]
In my last post, I discussed the value of planning. In this post I’ll describe how to create a simple business plan for your firm. Step one: To quote Stephen Covey, it begins with the end in mind by considering what you want your firm to look like in ten years. Will it be the [...]
“Planning” is not a dirty word. In fact it’s liberating, hopeful, positive and action-oriented. If your firm doesn’t have a carefully considered, documented plan for 2016, you need to read this post. My purpose is to help professional services firms do better. So you’d think that occasionally, my job would entail improving their existing business [...]
Professionals might not think that high school debaters could teach them anything, but parents know that often, some of our greatest lessons can come from those much younger than us. This past weekend I served as a judge for the Provincial High School Debating Championship, called the Law Foundation Cup. Stakes were high as the [...]
Firms are filled with people so passionate about their profession that their sense of self is founded in their careers. So the last thing they want to think about is leaving their profession. Yet unless they give their eventual departure some strategic thought, they could be orchestrating a disastrous crescendo to their own career. Many [...]