Lawyer Business Advantage

In this episode, Alay and Sirena (of Marsh McClennan Agency) discuss:   Keys to clear communication in a multi-generational law firm.  Flexibility for better engagement. Adapting communication styles for specific situations. The different traits of each generation.   Key Takeaways:   There are currently four generations working in the workplace: Boomers, Gen-X, Millennials, and Gen-Z.  The wa...

In this episode, Alay and Melanie discuss:   The power of having a published book. What goes into a reputation-building book. Integrating book marketing into your law firm marketing.    Key Takeaways:   You can put the amazing cases you’ve won in a book. A book is tangible, and winning a case is an event.  What you do every day can be fascinating to someone who isn’t in the field. You aren’t...

In this episode, Alay and Jennifer discuss:   Why influence matters and what it means. The skill of influence. Three reasons lawyers should make influence a priority. Why connecting with others can be difficult.     Key Takeaways:   Influence is a muscle that can be built and cultivated, no matter your personality type. As a lawyer, you are an advocate and a leader. Get out of your head and f...

In this episode, Alay and Phillip discuss:   Taking action on opportunities.  Proactive communication.  Creative solutions to legal issues. Setting policies and proper training.    Key Takeaways:   Ask questions and take chances. You don’t know what’s possible if you never try anything new. Communication is key. Clients want to know when a problem happens, not after the fact. Creative solutio...

In this episode, Alay and Jeremy discuss:   How to structure, value, and sell a law practice with a book of business. Transferring trust and transferring referral sources. Vetting potential law firms that want to grow by acquisition. Ensuring successful mergers through listening, adapting, and then growing.   Key Takeaways:   Trust can build via video calls over a short period of time. It doe...

In this episode, Alay and Julia discuss:   Why a virtual law firm administrator can help your firm. Limitations of virtual law firm staff and paralegals. When to add someone to your team.   Key Takeaways:   Law firm administrators can help with tasks that aren’t necessarily billable but are revenue-generating like case management, newsletters, marketing, billing, and more.  If your firm is re...

In this episode, Alay and Julia discuss:   Preparing the attorney to work with a virtual paralegal. Hiring someone who understands your practice area. Properly utilizing tools and technology. Mistakes made in delegation.   Key Takeaways:   There are many tools, such as Otter, Loom, or Office 365, that can help to improve employee training and management. If you run a bankruptcy firm, hiring a...

In this episode, Alay and Julia discuss:   The benefits of fractional and virtual paralegal services.  The value add of bringing on a paralegal. Having a vetting process in place during the hiring process.     Key Takeaways:   Paralegal duties can vary from law firm to law firm which makes it difficult to hire.  While there may be some need for a paralegal in the office on occasion, most work...

In this episode, Alay and Michelle discuss:   The benefits of using a flat fee vs. the billable hour. Tracking your time to understand your costs and capacity.  Utilizing AI and other technologies to better serve your clients.   Key Takeaways:   Not knowing if the law fee is going to be $1,000 or $10,000 is what often keeps people from calling a lawyer.  The fear of cost seems to override the...

In this episode, Alay and Eric discuss:   Smart, online marketing to capture the market in your niche and your geographical area.  Standing out and setting up a unique marketing campaign for your firm.  Creative ways to use social media and build a following.  No niche is too small.    Key Takeaways:   For the attorneys who don’t want to commit to doing social media themselves each week, you...

In this episode, Alay and Ryan discuss:   The four financial positions your firm needs as you grow. Adding on advisors as your firm grows and taking a tiered approach. Challenges your firm will face as you approach 7+ figures. Communication between your financial advisors.  Key Takeaways:   During your law firm’s growth, you must have a bookkeeper, a good tax preparer (for both personal and...

In this episode, Alay and Ryan discuss:   CFO versus accountant versus bookkeeper.  Trust fund collection procedures and utilization. The importance of regular meetings on your law firm’s financials.  Addressing new metrics and financial problems as you clear up the primary issues.  Key Takeaways:   When trying to figure out where you’re having a cash flow problem in your business, go through your...

In this episode, Alay and Ryan discuss:   How much do you pay new hires?  Profitable versus scalable when looking at new employee expenses and incomes. Properly building cost centers into your business.  Specific guidelines and benchmarks for hiring different positions in your organization.   Key Takeaways:   Look at what a competitive salary in your area for the position is as the base.  401...

In this episode, Alay and Gina discuss:   Differences between different types of assistants.  How the tech layoffs have affected the virtual assistant market.  US versus international virtual assistants.  Generational changes with remote working.     Key Takeaways:   The right-hand person who can do nearly anything is often the first hire of lawyers, even before they can bring on a full-time...

In this episode, Alay and Belle discuss:   Why client onboarding is key to law firm success.  Knowing when and why a conversation should happen with a prospective client.  Who should be doing the process mapping.  Understanding the right questions to ask as you build a process map for your client onboarding.  Key Takeaways:   Every law firm has to onboard clients if they want to succeed, but it is...

In this episode, Alay and Belle discuss:   Benefits of having a process map for onboarding staff.  How to document your processes and procedures.  The knowledge and expertise that is hidden in underdeveloped documentation.  Different ways of brainstorming for process maps with your team.    Key Takeaways:   Simple checklists are helpful for experienced staff. They are not the end-all-be-all f...

In this episode, Alay and Belle discuss:   How process mapping can help a law firm’s operations. Many processes that now don’t make sense or should be obsolete often started because of valid and important reasons. Visualizing the information flow to see how the processes happen.    Key Takeaways:   Being proactive will allow you to prevent problems before they can occur and cause a big mess i...

In this episode, Alay and Saja discuss:   The benefits of public speaking.  Best audiences to speak at for introverts.  Choosing the topic to speak on.  Key Takeaways:   Don’t get lost in the details, focus on the results. When you speak about what you do, you will be remembered. It is an investment of your time and effort. Use your time in the car to practice your speeches and pitches. Record you...

In this episode, Alay and Saja discuss:   Leveraging LinkedIn for success as an introvert.  Garnering interest and engagement with your LinkedIn posts.  How to understand if your LinkedIn post is doing well.  What to post.   Key Takeaways: LinkedIn gives you a business-focused connection with other attorneys, coaches, and advisors in a way other social platforms do not.  Be honest, be authent...

In this episode, Alay and Saja discuss:   Networking as an introvert and with visible things that make you feel different. Networking for client resources, not just for yourself.  Managing your energy as an introvert at networking events.  Comparing and contrasting networking, speaking, and writing/social media as business development options.     Key Takeaways:   Having one-on-one conversati...

In this episode, Alay and Dominic discuss:   Job hiring through LinkedIn.  Building your dream team. Leveraging your network and your current employees. Standing out from the competition to grab the attention of your candidates.   What to do from interview to onboarding. Key Takeaways:   Make sure you’re on LinkedIn and post – it’s free! If you can add a visual, people are more likely to loo...

In this episode, Alay and Dominic discuss:   Attracting the right talent when you can’t afford to pay them top salaries.  Advantages of a smaller law firm. Separating yourself from the competition in the war for talent.    Key Takeaways:   Finding talent is similar to finding clients – people will come to your firm because of what you do and what you represent.  Smaller firms could offe...

In this episode, Alay and Dominic discuss:   Problems most law firms have to overcome.  Why hiring is a bigger problem than client acquisition for many small firms.  Consider hiring part-time, not just full-time for what you need.  Rehiring framing from being an expense to an investment.  Key Takeaways:   For many small law firms, the ability to find the right staff is one of the biggest challenge...

In this episode, Alay and Belal discuss:   Overcoming stress and challenges to grow.  Taking advantage of the opportunities life offers you.  Maintaining a successful culture of a remote law firm.  Managing results, not people, to build trust within your law firm.     Key Takeaways:   COVID changed the landscape of work – learn from what did work and leverage technology to help your tea...

In this episode, Alay and Gary discuss:   Why you should be the CPO of your firm – the Chief Pain Officer. Understanding the potential client’s goal and expectations.  Consulting with confidence and having a great intake system.  Key Takeaways:   Getting to the pain point of the client will help to better identify how to best serve the client.  Ask how the pain is impacting the potential cli...