HOW TO GUESS RIGHT
December 27, 2012
Prognostication is a game for which the prize for getting it right is at least bragging rights, at best successful planning. Statistically, it seems, there are few winners ' but that seems to stop no one from doing it. Gambling is OK for sport, I guess, but ' except for calculated business risk ' not so hot as a planning or management tool.
Pricing Legal Services
December 27, 2012
Beyond the "value-added" components of their efforts, expectations have risen in law firms for the marketing team to contribute directly to top-line growth. While their roles typically fall short of direct selling to new clients, in recent years marketing executives have been integrally involved in ongoing account management, prospecting, and expansion. They are juxtaposed with the rainmakers ' practically joined at the hip in supporting partners as they embark into the legal market battlefield.
Client-Driven Growth
December 27, 2012
This article reviews a number of ideas for converting a law firm's key clients, the 20-plus largest, into an engine of revenue growth, via a Key Client Program.
Profiting from the Learning Curve
December 27, 2012
A recent study published by Altman Weil listed the ways in which chief legal officers would like to see their outside counsel embrace service improvements and innovation. The top four responses were greater cost reduction, non-hourly pricing, more efficient project management and improved budget forecasting. To anyone paying even cursory attention to the legal marketplace in the last half decade, these should not come as a surprise.
Leave As a Reasonable Accommodation
December 27, 2012
The time has come for the minority of circuits to join the majority, and explicitly hold that non-indefinite unpaid leave is a reasonable accommodation under the ADAAA. Cases prosecuted by women with difficult pregnancies would be particularly compelling impact cases to push the remaining circuits to explicitly accept non-indefinite leave as a reasonable accommodation.
Why Every Lawyer Needs to Lead
December 27, 2012
In a law firm environment, great leaders are necessary to provide client service, build client relationships, develop more junior lawyers, and generally ensure the profitable use of firm resources. This requires everyone's best thinking. How does a leader harness the group's best thinking? The most effective leaders use coaching skills. In other words, all they do is ask the right questions.
Protect Your Firm!
December 27, 2012
Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) programs, which allow employees to use their personally owned smartphones, tablets and laptops in and out of the work environment, are significantly changing information technology (IT). Law firms around the country are embracing BYOD as it lets executives and employees use the mobile devices, service providers and operating platforms of their choice.
A Lessee's Guide
December 20, 2012
At this time of year, CFOs are scrutinizing the available forms of funding to determine the most efficient way to satisfy their space, equipment and technology needs, and keep their organizations performing at their competitive best financially and operationally.