SPECIAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

STRATEGIC FOCUS AND CREATIVE DECISION-MAKING

Trendwatching, market research and creative ways of thinking about professional services are coming to be recognized as necessary for a firm to thrive. However, getting "highly educated skeptics" to think creatively (not about their client matters - they do that) about future directions, client needs and marketing, is a real challenge in most firms.

Practice Development Counsel uses creative thinking methods in working with firm groups and practice area task forces to:

"FIRM CITIZENSHIP"/EXPECTATIONS POLICY

In the now very mobile professions, firms are more concerned than ever about keeping their valuable talent happy and, at the same time, getting the most productive client service and marketing efforts from their partners and associates. Few firms have clearly articulated policies regarding expectations from and for their professional personnel.

Practice Development Counsel helps firms to identify the rights and responsibilities of "firm citizenship" and implement a policy of expectations. This includes managing work expectations as well as all other contributions to the operations and viability of the firm.

DIVERSIFICATION (ANCILLARY BUSINESS ACTIVITIES)

Practice Development Counsel has researched and worked with firms on diversification and ancillary business activities since 1985. We have a database on these activities by firm, geographic location and nature of the business for firms identified to have separate non-law business entities. There are many firms with ancillary activities within the firm partnership structure as well.

In addition we have written a comprehensive examination of the status, pros and cons, ethical and business considerations regarding non-law business ventures. A number of publications are available, including a handbook, VENTURESOME QUESTIONS: The Law Firm Guide for Developing a New Business Venture.

We have served as consultants to firms on considering, planning and operating ancillary business activities to assess their viability, marketing strategies, and potential staffing and management problems and opportunities.

SERVICE QUALITY PROGRAMS

Service quality has been a hot item in the corporate world, with serious programs being adopted by not only manufacturing companies, but also companies in service industries. Corporate departments in many companies are joining in the company program with their own quality improvement and performance measurement procedures. Their consciousness raising means they are looking harder at their outside counsel's level of service delivery. Smart firms will take the initiative in finding out how their service quality is measured and instituting their own quality programs.

Practice Development Counsel helps firms to define "service quality" as perceived by clients, identify the firm's strength and weaknesses, survey/interview clients, and set up a program for quality improvement regarding personal service issues, efficiency and work product.

We can structure this as a "retreat" program, a series of in-house workshops, or a consulting assignment.