Value Post 1: What Does Value Mean in Law Firms?

04.15.13 | Susan Duncan

“Value” is one of the most commonly used buzzwords of the first part of this century. Everyone is talking about it, promoting it, writing about it, offering it, demanding it, trying to measure it and bragging about it. First, let’s start with the Merriam-Webster definition of value: 1: a fair return or equivalent in goods,…

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Client Feedback: 10 Steps to Determine Where Your Firm Fits on the Satisfaction and Loyalty Curve

01.08.13 | Susan Duncan

In our last blog post In 2013, Will More Firms Finally Understand that Client Feedback = Better Revenue and Profitability?, we discussed why it is critical to seek feedback from clients and to ensure that they are not only satisfied but extremely satisfied. Extremely satisfied clients lead to truly loyal clients who are much more profitable to…

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In 2013, Will More Firms Finally Understand that Client Feedback = Better Revenue and Profitability?

01.03.13 | Susan Duncan

According to a recent ALM Legal Intelligence Survey, 68% of law firms put “Growing the Firm’s Revenue” as their top business strategy priority and 54% listed “Improving Firm Profitability” as their number three priority. “Client Performance Management and Client Satisfaction Measurement” was a fourth priority, however, only 56% of law firms said they plan to track…

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“Effective Client-Adviser Relationships” Part 3: Added Value

10.15.12 | Susan Duncan

This post is one of four that discusses the findings of a survey conducted jointly by the Financial Times (FT), the Managing Partners’ Forum’ (MPF) and Meridian West. The survey results were pre-viewed at a one day conference hosted by PM Forum in London on September 27. The posts reflect findings from the survey, sessions…

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“Effective Client-Adviser Relationships 2012” Part 1: Role of Management

10.01.12 | Susan Duncan

This post is one of four that discusses the findings of a survey conducted jointly by the Financial Times (FT), the Managing Partners’ Forum’ (MPF) and Meridian West. The survey results were pre-viewed at a one day conference hosted by PM Forum in London on September 27. The posts reflect findings from the survey, sessions…

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Culture Part 2: How to Use or Adapt Culture to Succeed in the “New Normal”

08.28.12 | Susan Duncan

Last week, our post entitled Culture Part 1: Does Law Firm Culture Play a Role in Success or Failure? discussed the components that comprise organizational culture. Every law firm has a unique set of interwoven values and characteristics that make up its culture. As firms address the substantial disruptions posed by the economy, technology and supply and…

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Cross-Sell Effectively by Putting Client Needs before Your Own

08.14.12 | Susan Duncan

Cross-selling is a good concept, assuming that clients love the work you are doing for them and are thrilled with the level of competence and service (and you know this because you have formally and regularly solicited your clients’ feedback). As discussed in a previous post Strategic Account Management Must Be About Client Value First, Not…

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What Rainmaker Traits and Skills are Required for Success?

07.31.12 | Susan Duncan

For so many years, the term “rainmakers” has referred to partners in firms who bring in new clients and have “big books of business.”  Merriam-Webster defines a rainmaker as “A person (as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business.”  Fifty years ago, many firms relied on only one or two or just…

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