An Idea for BIG Client Problems

There is no reason a law firm (or other professional services business) can't adopt this idea for a great client with a big problem:

A group of Lodge members gathers at some predetermined time and place, usually with computers in tow. After everyone gets set up, the group comes up with a basic game idea. This process is usually limited to a fixed amount of time. The group then sets out to create said game as fast as possible. This can involve code, sound, art, map design, game design, even limited tools development, depending on the makeup of the participants. It requires a fair amount of expertise on the part of each individual, a lot of caffeine, and a huge effort towards teamwork, coordination, and communication.

After a predetermined amount of time has passed (8 hours, 24 hours, even 48 hours) and a large amount of Chinese food has been consumed, game production finally comes to a stop and the group steps back to see what it is they've created -- or failed to create, in some cases.

Think about how amazing it would be to tell your client, “We are going to bring the entire resources of this firm to bear upon your issue for one day.”  Since lawyers are in Saturdays a lot anyway, how about setting aside one Saturday per month for this kind of focused problem-solving?  I’ll bet your client would appreciate it — and be willing to pay you extra as well.

Comments

[Enrico Schaefer]

Another great idea Matt. I was just thinking today how billable hours preclude us from doing so many important things. I spent one hour of time this evening, at no charge to the client, showing them all the front end otherwise invisible strategic work we did in preparing the complaint and motion. A waste of time? How else would the client know what a great job you did for them? Yet, billing them for that time would be inappropriate.

[Sean]

Good idea.

Just to let you know. I've moved the blog to http://www.5000bc.com/blog

Still work in progress.