Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 27
I read a lot of non-legal books — mostly business books — to help me generate ideas on improving my legal practice and to get ideas for posts in this blog. I usually buy the books I read, and fold down the corner of each page that has something I want to come back to. However, what tends to happen is that I end up with a bunch of books on my bookshelf with beat-up pages that I’ve not looked at since I read them in the first place.
This brings me to my resolution for the day (and a simple Knowledge Management tip):
Whenever you finish a book, copy each page you “marked” while reading it. Put the copies in an idea file that you review regularly — or at least when you are stuck and need to think creatively.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 26
Now that the holiday season is over, think about the one present you saw (on television, while shopping, under the tree) that made you say to yourself, “Boy, if I were a kid again …,” and go buy it for yourself. Whenever you are having a tough day at the office, or really need to do some creative thinking, pull it out and play with it. Here is the “present” I bought myself while shopping for my daughter’s Christmas presents — a Lego Ferrari F1 Racer. I can’t wait to put it together.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 24
Here is one on my personal “to do” list next year:
Identify the most successful businesses in your community and find out who is second and third in charge there. Ask those people to lunch. Learn everything you can about their business. Don’t “sell” your practice or your services, but offer to help them in any way you can. Follow up with a personal thank-you note after the lunch.
You will start to see business from these people and their businesses before next year is out!
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 23
Find employees who want to work second and third shifts and experiment with one or two days a month where the firm never closes. Advertise these days, and find out how many people who've never had time to meet with a lawyer come calling!
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 22
Every week, pick one of your "standard" forms (like retainer agreement) and give it to a sixth grader. Ask them if they understand it. Then rewrite it from scratch.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 21
Find the biggest problem in your community and have a competition to solve it. Involve the schools and retirement homes. Give a prize for the best solution. Make sure everyone knows your firm sponsored the competition. Set aside another part of the prize money to go towards funding the solution.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 20
Create a Firm Master To-Do List -- This list isn't for client matters, but for firm matters. Make marketing and firm development high priorities. Make sure everyone has access to the list and place at least one item on the calendar each week to make sure it gets done.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 19
Look for space in your office where you can have a comfortable conversation with a client, partner, or staff member. Having a white board or other brainstorming tool would be a big plus. Make it a fun place to think.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 18
Prepare a list of client commitments and stick to them. Include returning phone calls within a specified period of time. Send the commitments to clients with every bill. Offer discounts if you don't live up to any of your commitments. Give clients a small discount if they send back a "Report Card" with their payment. Make it look like the ones kids got in the fifties. Follow up with them on any grade they give below an "A."
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 17
I spent all day yesterday shooting a commercial for HP and Intel. I was interviewed about my mobile computing habits, the benefits of WiFi for mobile lawyers, and my use of the Tablet PC. I got to use one of HP's Tablets during the shoot instead of my Toshiba M200 (not better, not worse, just different).
During the shoot I showed my Tablet (as well as the HP) to the sound guy. He had just bought an Apple iBook, but said he would have rethought that purchase had he gotten to use a Tablet first. I can think of no other Microsoft-based product that elicits a similar envious reaction from Apple users. Can you?
That leads into my resolution for the day:
Before you buy your next computer, try a Tablet PC. Use it for fifteen minutes or so. Once you experience the "magic" of using ink on your computer, you will have a difficult time with that boring old Dell or Thinkpad.
Trust me on this one.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 15
I know, I’m getting behind on my resolutions. Once you see the big announcement later today, I hope you’ll understand. Anyway, here is the first in a flurry of resolutions between now and Christmas:
Pick the three computer programs you use the most (or should use the most), and learn how to use them better. Set aside an hour per week to spend reading the manuals and playing around with the software. Better yet, get a “Dummies” book and read it through. You will be amazed at the amount of time you can save just learning the in’s and out’s of most computer programs. You would also be wise to make the rest of your office (especially staff) do the same thing.
For me, the three programs I vow to spend more time with this year are Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft OneNote, and MindManager. Oh, and I will learn to use ActiveWords to get better at each.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 14
This is another favorite.
Think of your best client. Now, go print out the MacKay 66. How many of these questions can you answer?
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 13
As I get caught up on my resolution series, here is a great post from one of my favorite new blogs, Marketing eYe. Read the entire post about how Alexander became “the Great.” The resolution I took away is this:
The best and the quickest way to become more successful is to focus on your one main problem. Focus on your "Darius." When your main problem is solved, you will find that the other minor problems you had took care of themselves or are not a problem anymore!
My main problem is procrastination. What is yours? What are we going to do about it?
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 12
Look around your work and your life: Is there a promise you made that you can "over-deliver" on? Go for it, and let's hear it for the "little bit of extra" that goes a long, long way. (From Jason Womack).
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 11
If you are interested at all in learning about how other businesses have mastered the art of client service, read Secret Service by John R. DiJulius. DiJulius runs a string of spas in Ohio and details many practical yet ingenious ways he uses to deliver an unforgettable (and profitable) customer experience. I came away with literally hundreds of great ideas from reading this book. One of the three best books I’ve read this year.
Resolutions for Lawyers
Three closings (in three different counties), two emergency hearings, and one article due have kept me from posting the last few days. I’ll be back Friday morning with six more resolutions (to get back on track), and some really big news.
Until then, take a look later today at the first Savvy Blogger Panel postings at Adam Smith Esq.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 10
Keep Sunday, April 3, 2005 open on your calendar. More details to follow...
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 9
This one is easy, and should be on all of our "to do" lists everyday. Think about that one person who helps you the most to do what you do (for me, it is my secretary Janelle). Go to that person today and thank them.
Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 8
One of my favorite ideas I've found since I've been blogging is the one I blogged about here called "Stop, Start, Continue." Divide your staff into three groups and identify a single problem or question you need to address in your practice (or your life).
Ask the first group to brainstorm and answer the question, "In order to _______, we need to stop doing _______." The second group does the same with the question, "In order to _______, we need to start doing _______." Finally the third group answers, "In order to _______, we need to continue doing _______."
After all three groups have come up with a number of answers to their question, have everyone rotate and repeat the process two more times. Get everyone together, review the answers, and then devise a plan to put the ideas into action.