From time to time, Yorkshire Law Society is approached by companies wishing to offer discounted rates to members taking up their products and services. Whilst YLS does not endorse or recommend these products and services, we do wish to offer members the opportunity to save money through such arrangements, with members forming their own judgements.  The information below has come directly from each organisation.

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Legal Education & Training - A Practical Guide for Law Firms

This Guide has just been published by LexisNexis Butterworths, which is offering a 20% discount to members of Yorkshire Law Society.  Written by Melissa Hardee of Hardee Consulting (former Training Principal at CMS Cameron McKenna and LPC Course Director at City University), the book is a practical guide for partners, managers, directors, fee earners and training professionals in law firms, large or small, on how to approach training and make the most of the firm's investment in training, whether or not the firm has an established training function.

The book explains what firms need to know about the regulatory framework for legal education and training in England, Wales and Scotland, and the regulatory responsibilities which the framework imposes on firms, as well as individuals within firms - in particular, training principals.  It also focuses on the importance of training as a way of achieving the firm's business strategy, covering the structure, ownership and management (including financial management, this chapter having been contributed by Robert Mowbray of Taylor Mowbray) of the training function within a firm, and the different types of training a firm should invest in to meet its needs.  It provides a guide for fee earners on designing and delivering effective training themselves, as well as covering issues such as how to go about sourcing external trainers, e-learning, and making the most of the flexibilities in the new Legal Practice course.  More information on the Guide is available at www.lexisnexis.co.uk/traininglegalservices.

T.M. LEWIN

Red Label Days Are Here!

This month sees the launch of our Red Label suit range with the new "Sackville Cut" for a slimmer fit.  To help celebrate this launch, Corporate customers can get a free shirt with any suit purchased (Men's or Women's), plus our 4 shirts for £90 offer means great savings on shop prices. 

You cannot get this offer unless you take the voucher with you, so don't forget to print it off and hand it in at the till. 

GEOTRUPES CONSULTING

Storm Clouds or Opportunities?  The Dynamics of the Legal Sector 

Practitioners could certainly be forgiven for seeing rain approaching.

Mirroring his 2007 prediction of 3000 firms disappearing, Stephen Mayson of the Legal Services Policy Institute, has recently reiterated his bleak outlook with lawyers' over-focus on autonomy cited as a primary cause.  Tony Williams, of the consultancy Jomati, has similarly referenced the sector's pending fundamental transformation whilst legal "futurist" Richard Susskind confidently predicts some services disappearing from view altogether.

The dynamics driving this forlorn outlook are well rehearsed.  "Generation Y'ers" viewing "geographic proximity" as to a PC rather than a High Street; the evolving "customer journey" dragging online and offline providers into hand to hand combat; IT facilitating "white label" services and Legal Process Outsourcing; the rise of legal "factories" for standardised offerings... and, of course, a certain supermarket...

But is the outlook really so bleak and the legal sector's current position to unique?  For those willing to act, the answer is "no".

First some reality.  What is happening is called competition and if this is competition, there is opportunity.  "But this is different" I hear.  Really?  Change is endemic - just as Polariod, the corner shops, the "national carrier" airlines, employees of town centre travel agencies...

Secondly, the services provided by lawyers, save at the most standardised end, have much greater scope for personalisation than many supermarket offerings.  The reality too is that mass providers cannot do everything and typically struggle to mass produce products, lacking a fast turnover.  Don't believe me?  Well buy some steak from your supermarket then from your local butcher and then decide.

Thirdly, are the market's dynamics really flowing only against current participants?  That sounds similar to computers heralding the entry of the paperless office (they didn't!).  What about outsourcing IT platforms so avoiding capital outlays and reinforcing relationships and brand promotion through IT-enabled virtual networks?  What of automated cross-selling and tailored delivery of personalised services for (increasingly well-informed) customers' personal affairs?  If they look like opportunities and smell like opportunities...

Finally, time is still, just about, on your side.  As the strategy specialist Markides notes in "Fast Second", and proven dramatically by Apple and Amazon, second really can be best.  Let the trailblazers plot the map and find (get eaten by?) the dragons and then follow.  It may not be intrepid but it can certainly prove effective.

So the future's unequivocally bright?

I wouldn't go that far.  It will be tough and there will be losers.  Some sectors may well have changed forever but, in a market, reward necessitates risk.  So where do you stand?

The management guru Peter Drucker noted that the biggest danger in turbulent times is acting with "yesterday's logic".  That is the key.

Challenge your assumptions about tomorrow's world.  Look outside your "tunnel vision" view of tomorrow born of years of stable regulation.  What is approaching?  What if the supermarkets do enter?  What if your two local rivals merge?  Stop, think, plan for varying scenarios, monitor and implement as the future unfolds.  Don't fight fire.  Act systematically, create a formalised process of challenge and managed innovation and begin your transformation now.

Amidst those storm clouds I promise there really are rays of sunshine.  You just need to look.

James Dunning

Geotrupes Consulting

www.geotrupes.co.uk

December 2009

Geotrupes consulting are offering a discounted rate for YLS members subscribing to their new online MarketYourLawPractice service that links personal and business development for solicitors. 

MarketYourLawPractice is a business development and marketing tool specifically designed for solicitors.  Incorporating learning tools and detailed guidance to create and implement effective initiatives, the service comprises 20 self-paced modules on key topics including growing relationships, attracting new clients, brand recognition and communicating effectively.  As importantly in the current economy, subscribers can also assess the service from their desks at times that suit them, rather than having to take time away from the office.

The MarketYourLaw Practice service includes an extensive library of downloadable templates and guides based on the founder's 20+ years advising law firms on marketing.  There is an online grading facility and subscribers can also consult with marketing professionals for advice and guidance.  As such, using the service can also easily be incorporated within individuals' annual personal development plans and for CPD points.

More information on this service, including the 30 day money back guarantee, can be foun d at www.marketyourlawpractice.co.uk where you can subscribe online.  Please use the discount code "YLS-500" to secure the discounted rate of £900 (plus VAT) for this new service.

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IKON - Document Efficiency at Work

What is happening within the office technology arena?

Printer manufacturers and service providers are delivering a wide variety of solutions designed to help businesses maximise investment in office equipment.

The true cost of print is substantial and often hidden.  According to "MPS Insights, Photizo Group June 2008", printing costs are the last bastion of uncontrolled spending, with document production expenses typically in the Top Five overheads within an organisation. Analyst firm Gartner, say that organisations that manage their printer copier and fax fleets could save up to 30 per cent of their print costs.  For law firms and corporate legal departments, this figure could be even higher.

The necessity to reduce costs around document production is critical across many industries right now, yet the legal sector face additional challenges as clients increasingly look for certainty in billing and greater efficiency in service.  Office technology has a role to play as part of a solution to support law firms and legal departments in managing documentation, as well as more general ways to recover costs, reduce waste, increase returns and maximise operational efficiency.

Today, there is a trend towards Multi Functional Devices (MFDs) replacing costly desktop printers and standalone copies.  Combining scanning, printing, copying and faxing, today's MFDs deliver unprecedented document handling power and convenience.  The very latest technology means that today's generation of machines are no longer just copiers or printers, they are integrated digital document management workstations.  Enhanced functionality means that they can offer a completely different way to create, manage and communicate vital information.

With Print Management software, it is now possible to monitor individual copying and printing activities and charge by what is going through the device, rather than by its locatino.  In a legal environment, Print Management allows document costs to be calculated on a case by case basis.  Software also makes it possible to scan and distribute documents securely, or even route incoming documents automatically to the correct team or office.

Document security is an important consideration in the digital age, especially when dealing with important and sensitive legal information.  Secure Release technology allows staff to release print jobs at the device rather than relying on the immediate output system that is currently in place.  Secure Release also helps to reduce the amount of waste paper produced as, traditionally, many documents are sent to printers that are never collected.

Finally, printing in colour is on the up and it's not just down to mono and colour speeds being almost like for like these days.  A splash of colour is not just for the "pretty picture" marketing brigade anymore, it can be used to influence behaviours across the board.  For example, it could help improve payment response rates by using colour to emphasis the amount and date due, or it could increase repeat orders when focusing the reader's eye to the simple re-order process in colour.  Investment in office technology makes business sense and could help your firm stay competitive in the current economic climate.

To find out more how IKON could help you to reduce costs and discuss the content of this article in more detail contact: David Wright, Corporate Account Manager, Tel: 0113 244 5050, E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please mention YLS05 in order to obtain discounted rates.