Strategies for Taking Charge of Your Life and Law Practice

Presented by Cynthia Sharp• Professional CLE Speaker• Attorney Business Coach

Strategies for Taking Charge of Your Life and Law

Practice Presented by: Cynthia Sharp

The Sharper Lawyer

March 5, 2013

Preliminary Thoughts•I decided to attend “Take Charge” because:

•I would be really happy if we could cover the

following:

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What You’ll Learn

• Ten Power Strategies to Increase Law Firm

Profitability

• Ten Steps to Client Relationship Mastery

• Time-Tested Tools to Increase Productivity

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Business Expertise

•Business Creator

•Business Operator

•Business

Innovator

•People Developer

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“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

- Albert Einstein

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Power Strategies for a Profitable Law Firm

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Build Your Business Through Networking

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Increase Your Business Through Referrals

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“Remember, it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.”

““All Things Being Equal, People Will Do All Things Being Equal, People Will Do Business With, and Refer Business to, Business With, and Refer Business to, Those People They Know, Like, and Those People They Know, Like, and Trust.”Trust.”

- Jeffrey Gitomer

Wisdom Tip

Power Habit

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• Send Notes of Congratulation to Colleagues Who Receive Awards or For Other Special Accomplishments

• Use Printed Note Cards

Strong Case Management System

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Set Specific Financial Goals and Track the Results

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Leverage Yourself With a Strong Team

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Create a Standard Operating Procedure

Manual

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Wake Up To Social Media!

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MRPC 1.1

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“To maintain the requisite knowledge and skill, a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology, engage in continuing study and education and comply with all continuing legal education requirements to which the lawyer is subject.”

- Comment 6 to MRPC 1.1 (as amended)

Competence

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Profitability Tips

• Stridently adhere to established billing, retainer and timekeeping policies

• Signed retainer agreement in every matter

Client Relationship Mastery

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Client Relationship Mastery

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Tip #1: Create expectations - up front

Tip #2: Introduce Team/Explain Roles

Tip #3: Business Cards for Team Members

Tip #4: Welcome Letter

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Tip #5: Retainer Agreement or Non-engagement Letter

Tip #6: Keep Client InformedTip #7: Communication Policy

•Return Phone Calls•Phone Appointments•Method

Client Relationship Mastery

• Tip #8: Address Problems and Concerns Immediately

• Tip #9: Keep Your Word on Time Frames

• Tip #10: Termination Letter/Client Satisfaction Survey

Client Relationship Mastery

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“Procrastination is a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.”

- Neil Fiore, Ph.D.

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The One Year Challenge

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The One Year Challenge

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The Ideal Week

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The Ideal Week

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The Ideal Week

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Take Charge Plan

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Date:

My work day is not complete until the following tasks are accomplished:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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TAKE CHARGE PLAN

Work/Life Balance

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Four Decisions

•Decide what you want

•Decide what you will give up to get what you want

•Decide to take personal responsibility

•Decide what value and service you are going to offer

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Image Accreditation

• Rockey Statue Philadelphia: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-7459p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Les byerley</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>

• PHILADELPHIA - JULY 26: Philadelphia Phillies mascot the Phillies: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-77601p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Aspen Photo</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>

I. ISRAEL - CIRCA 1968: Albert Einstein (1879-1955) on 5 Pounds: <a

href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-82420p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Georgios Kollidas</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>

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“Take Charge of Your Own Economy”

March 28th - 2 pm

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The Sharper Lawyer

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The Sharper Lawyer now offers

a complimentary half hour coaching session.

Email Cindy for more details!

cindy@thesharperlawyer.com

Thank You

The Sharper Lawyerwww.thesharperlawyer.com