Think real BIG: Building an Innovative Law Firm.

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Get outside the box and... Copyright 2007 Matthew W. Homann. All Rights Reserved.

description

My presentation to the American Immigration Lawyers Association on ways to build an innovative law practice.

Transcript of Think real BIG: Building an Innovative Law Firm.

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Get outside the box and...Copyright 2007 Matthew W. Homann. All Rights Reserved.

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Think REAL Big!

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Ten Ways to Build a Better Firm.

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by Matthew Homann.

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It seemed like a good idea at the time...

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...but being a lawyer is hard.

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You worry about things you can’t control.

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Under great pressure to _______ results.

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Expected to know everything.

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Your clients expect you to always _______.

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so you bite off more than you can chew...

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... and juggle too many balls.

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It is easy to slip up.

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Lawyers get sh*t upon by everyone.

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Lawyers get sh*t upon by everyone.

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Too often feel isolated and alone.

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Hard to know where to go...

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... when the directions aren’t always clear.

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Step One: Get off the fence!

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Step Two: Ignore precedent.

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Step Three: Acknowledge fear.

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Step Four: Embrace ignorance.

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Step Five: Accept failure.

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Step Six: Don’t play by yourself...

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... find a peer mentor first to ...

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... double your knowledge ...

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... and cut your mistakes in half.

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Step Seven: Pollinate.

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You never know what will happen.

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Step Eight: Focus on what’s important...

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... not on what isn’t.

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Step Nine: Turn when necessary.

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Step Ten: Pause to reflect.

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Be true to yourself...

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...even if you are a little crazy.

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Want some nuts and bolts?

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Get your ducks in a row.

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Remember, your business comes first.

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You must fix what needs fixing.

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Clean up your waiting room.

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Look around you and...

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...identify the clients you’d love to serve.

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Because clients are like air.

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Make them feel welcome.

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Ask them, “How can I find more like you?”

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Always be ready to catch them...

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...because they could be anywhere.

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Know who influences your ideal clients...

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...and get to know them.

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Know what you sell clients (it isn’t time)...

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... and make it easy for them to buy.

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Don’t sell them what they don’t need.

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Raise your standards.Have prices for “standard” items...

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...but price “custom” work accordingly.

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“Advertise” to your best clients.

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Give them something meaningful.

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Allow them to share it with others.

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Ask your clients to help you improve...

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... and then make them give you a grade.

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Seek testimonials for work well done.

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Separate the wheat from the chaff.

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Identify your worst clients...

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...and give them the boot.

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REFUSE to take any more bad ones.

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Don’t ignore future customers.

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And certainly don’t ignore current ones.

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Brainstorm for your community.

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Make an “Unreasonable Request.”

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And just one more thing...

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Remember why you do what you do.

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Thank You ...

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... and Good Night.Copyright 2007 Matthew W. Homann. All Rights Reserved.