Bob Lotich on the Church Marketing Sucks Blog writes a post outlining some of the reasons he's Run From Churches. In my original reading, I was thinking it explained why some clients run from their lawyers, but a second (and third) look at it made me realize he's outlined lots of the reasons why lawyers are running from their clients -- and the law practice all together.

His first point is that, in many churches, everything was mediocre:

Mediocrity has been too prevalent in the church today. Be it marketing, music, teaching, evangelism or anything else, it should be excellent. Just a few hundred years ago the greatest music, paintings, literature, etc. were glorifying God. It offends me that the word "Christian" is used as an adjective that is synonymous with mediocre by some non-Christians. It should not be.

Think about the legal profession for a bit. How mediocre have we become? To paraphrase Bob, mediocrity has been too prevalent in the practice of law today. Beit marketing, teaching, client service or anything else lawyers do, it should beexcellent. Just a few decades ago, lawyers were admired, honored andthe practice of law was a noble calling. It offends me that the word"Lawyer" is now too often the punch line to jokes by non-lawyers. Itshould not be.

So here's a challenge for you:

1. Make a list of the truly "excellent" things your firm does.
2. Now, compare that to a list of things you do like everyone else. That's your "mediocre" list.

Which list is longer? Can you think of a way to focus less on mediocrity and more on excellence? If you pick just one item from your mediocre list each week (or month) and make it better, your clients will notice.