the [non]billable hour

Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 30

I’ve written about this before:

Is you work area comfortable?  Is your assistant’s?  Read this study, then take a look here for some tips to make it better. 

 

Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 29

Find a way to Googlize Your Firm.

Resolutions for Lawyers, Day 28

Keep track of the nice things people say about you, and of the people who are exceptionally happy with your work.  When you are having a hard time at the office (or want to use some testimonials in your marketing materials) you have a list handy for a quick pick-me-up. 

And in case you think it is a bit conceited to keep track of the people who love you, remember that you will build a far more successful business by marketing to your happiest customers than your unhappy ones.

Thanks to my friend, Steve Nipper, for the tip.

And the Envelolpe Please

My friend Dennis Kennedy has given out his 2004 Legal Blogging Awards (nicknamed “Blawggies”) and I am pleased to accept the award for Best New Legal Blogger.  I’m a bit under the weather today, or you’d be getting a really long speech here (lucky for you).  Suffice it to say that I am thankful to everyone who has made 2004 my best year ever.  Thank you!  

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 25

Take a few days off and spend time with your family.

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! 

Fun Stuff 2004

I didn’t know what to get everyone for the holidays, but Mark Hurst did.  He is the author of the Good Experience Blog, and for a special Christmas treat, has compiled all of his “Fun Stuff” entries from his newsletter here. 

Each entry is guaranteed to generate a smile. 

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!