ALA Regions 1 & 3 Conference & Expo – Cleveland – 2013.

ALA Regions 1 & 3 Conference & Expo – Cleveland – 2013

TELL ME SOMETHING

I DON’T KNOW !!!


FMImplement a “client minding” in your firm. We know it is important that we do good legal work for our clients – but it is also important that we have strong non-legal relationships. Of course clients expect good legal work for any firm, but a personal bond can cement the relationship. Creating a tracking system for this “non-legal” contact assures that you have a strong bond with your clients.


FMLaw firms have focused on trimming expenses for years, and most of the “easy” cuts have been made. The next step needs to be looking at your service delivery model. Your firm should review who does the work, and how it is done to ensure that it is done most efficiently.


FMStudy your market rates and rate arrangements, so you fully understand what pricing methodologies are in playin your market.


FMUnderstand your cost rate structure to know what business you will accept and how profitable it will be for your firm.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENTHUMAN RESOURCES


FMHas your firm ever turned down work for a client? Have you done the analysis to know what business to keep or not.

You need to.


FMKnow your rates. Know your costs. Leverage the expertise of your financial management staff or business partners to implement a profitability analysis that identifies the:• Profitability of your product• Profitability of your clients• Profitability of your practice groups• Profitability of your attorneys


HRSuccession planning for both attorneys and staff is essential to the longstanding success of your firm. No matter what size and needs to start sooner than you think.

Have you created your firm’s plan?


HRIt is important for all of us as current leaders and for the future leaders of our firms to keep up with the emerging trends, regulatory rules and the dynamics of today’s work force to lead change and transformation across all aspects of the firm.

Utilize ALA and Business Partners as helpful resources. You are not alone!

HUMAN RESOURCES


HRDemand for skilled talent continues to increase and job seekers are getting multiple offers.

When hiring, move quickly and pay competitively to attract and retain top talent. The cost of turnover can be 150% of the salary.

Hire well and make your firm attractive.


HROnce hired the way to keep people productive and happy. Develop your attorneys through mentoring and coaching. There are many ways to do this but it is important to start. Check out ALA’s website or talk to other ALA members to see what they are doing.


HRStay on top of the ever-changing role of the Legal Administrative Assistant.

We need to make these individuals productive and responsive to the rapidly changing requirements that are occurring due to technology and different expectations from the younger generations of attorneys.


HRHire for and promote EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE in your organization.

It is the #1 reason people fail in their jobs, careers and personal lives.

HUMAN RESOURCES


HRHR needs to be an “agent of change” in your firm so you can take part in your firm’s strategic vision.


HRInvest in your employees as often as possible, which can, but doesn’t always, mean compensation.


HRTo strengthen your interviewing skills, use several behavioral and hypothetical questions during your interview process.


HRFor those of you that manage your firm’s benefits plan in the U.S., make sure the 90-day waiting period, your Summary of Benefits & Coverage, the new PCOR fees and Marketplace Notice are on your to-do list for 2014 because of the changes due to the Affordable Care Act.

HUMAN RESOURCE & LEGAL INDUSTRY


HRThis has been a hot topic for the last few years. How many of your have adopted an “anti-bullying” policy and culture in your workplace.

Ask yourself the question if you think bullying is actually occurring in your firm: “What would the reasonable person in the community think?”


HRHelp your people avoid the mental impairments that are so common today.

Educate them in “Brain Health” and “How Bullying Harms the Brain”.


LIWe should all create a positive emotional atmosphere in which our employees and attorneys can flourish. Lines of communication remain open and trust is fostered.


LIYou hear about the emotional aspects of our jobs, but we all have to remember the importance of data in evaluating problems and proposing solutions.Start with data, analyze it, interpret it, and make decisions using it.Your CEO and/or executive team wants to hear decisions and recommendations based on data.

LEGAL INDUSTRY


LINo administrator should be an island. Part of ALA’s mission is networking. Involve the Business Partners in discussions about issues facing your firm. They can provide information about relevant products and services that may help solve the problem. And, of course, another great resource is fellow administrators.


LIThis one doesn’t come easy – for many of us…challenge the status quo!

As a leader in your firm be committed to looking for ways to improve how your firm does business, even it is means shaking up how we’ve done things.


LIAsk your Business Partners to join you at chapter events.

Your members will get to know and appreciate them as they work with us to provide solutions to our toughest challenges.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT


OMStatistics show that more than 50% of businesses do not return to business from a major business interruption such as major storms or floods because they did not have a plan in place. Your firm needs to be ready for even less major events such as power outages or internet failures.

1 of 2


OMIt is important that your firm’s Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans are updated periodically and stress tested.

Consider leveraging the cloud as part of your plan and avoid the headache of buying, maintaining, and updating IT hardware and software.

2 of 2


OMConsider Data Breach insurance! We are seeing data breach claims with no coverage in place.

The Legal Professional Liability Insurance market is getting tricky.

Clients are requiring firms to have unusual coverage not seen before.


OMConsider this implication of having a mobile workforce.

Worker’s Compensation coverage is not limited to your office building. Your Firm should carefully evaluate how home office arrangements affect coverage and the firm’s responsibilities


OMErgonomics is a preventative discipline that can benefit everyone, not just those who are injured.

You need to understand and think about the importance of Ergonomics before an injury. Training is an integral part. Staff needs to be properly trained – space, equipment, facilities….

Know that ergonomics is a benefit and a strategy – not a burden.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT


OMDo you want to reduce attorney document production by half?

Allow 24/7 access?

Ability to maximize utilization of staff?

Consider the use Digital Dictation!


OMMark your calendars - April 8, 2014 – Microsoft ends support for Windows XP and Office 2003.

Perhaps this is a good time to inventory all software in your office to be sure you are on top of any support issues.

Develop a migration plan NOW!


OMSecurity is inversely proportionateto convenience.

In order to keep your client and employee information secure understand that a little inconvenience is necessary.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT


OMConsider cultivating a relationship with a hotel sales manager.

They can assist you with: firm events and out of town travel for attorneys and clients.


OMWorking remotely is becoming more desirable and we need to help those in our firm work as seamlessly as possible. Where appropriate, encourage your attorneys to use mobile apps so they can work as efficiently and productively as in the office.


OMSecurity breaches are everywhere and protecting private data is important.

Due diligence is critical when selecting business partners.


OMIt’s NOT just about the right technology.

It’s about how you use technology effectively.

Leverage your business partners.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT


OMTechnology training is important, but it’s imperative to train your staff on privacy and security issues.

Protect your firm, your employees and yourself by being on top of security.


OMBYOA – Bring Your Own App.

We all use apps in different ways. So it is important to be flexible with apps and remember to have policies in place covering their use.


OMMobile Time Entry.

Learn it. Do it. Record time. Capture fees. Manage productivity.


OMSometimes the simplest way to find out which (if any) of your digital marketing efforts have been effective is to ask your clients and recruits

DIVERSITY


DIVERSITY

Living authentically can be a challenge.

Self Reflect on inclusion and take a moment to be willing living authentically.


DIVERSITY

Diversity is important for many reasons. As a nation we are becoming more diverse, in fact by 2050 we will be a majority minority nation. That means our workforce and our clients will be more diverse. We need to start now to embrace diversity to reap the benefits.


LIA lot of information has been passed on in this session and over the past two days. We encourage you to go back to your office and identify three things you will do differently. Reach out to fellow ALA colleagues and business partners for assistance. Question the status quo. Try something new!


FROM THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:

Technology, products, planning, and questioning the status quo are all important. But, to keep yourself sane and strong, a sense of humor will go a long way to get you and your team through the day.

Keep smiling folks! Good luck!

CLEVELAND ROCKS !!!

Thanks For Coming - We Hope You Enjoyed

Every Minute!


ALA Regions 1 & 3 Conference & Expo – Cleveland – 2013.

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Transcript of ALA Regions 1 & 3 Conference & Expo – Cleveland – 2013.