Tip of the Week Blog
April 2007, Week 3 5 Things That Can Mess Up Your Computer For Staff... Sometimes, users create problems for their computers and for the network. Every law firm depends on their computers to keep the documents flowing and business running. Some common errors that are preventable problems: 5. Keep Disks Full and Fragmented. Disk fragmentation occurs because of the way information is stored on the disk. You can use the disk defragmenter built into Windows, or a 3rd party defrag program to rearrange the pieces of files so they're placed contiguously on the disk. Another common cause of performance problems is a disk that is too full. We hope you enjoyed this short series. Which Is More Effective - Bonuses or Raises? Giving a 1% raise boosts employee job performance by roughly 2 percent, but offering that same money in the form of a bonus that is strongly linked to a job well done can improve job performance by almost 20 percent, finds a new Cornell study on the relationship between pay and performance. According to the Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society, "The first line of defense against unworthy clients is a sound business intake system." What is involved in a sound intake process? 4. Further Due Diligence: If the initial credit check turns up anything questionable, and the firm still wants to pursue the matter, the next step should be a personal background check on the individual client or, in the case of a company, on owners, officers and key shareholders. Here again there are ample resources available online. Alternatively, the firm may elect to engage a private investigator. Though these procedures may irritate partners originating the business, the best advice is: Just say, "Know." If what you find out raises too many cautionary flags, have the courage to say "No," before a risky situation turns into an intractable situation. More about that in the following weeks - or you can read the entire article now. And if you need help in putting these (or any systems) in place, contact us at info@legallylarge.com. We're here to help. We hope you enjoyed this short series.
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April 2007, Week 1 5 Things That Can Mess Up Your Computer For Staff... Sometimes, users create problems for their computers and for the network. Every law firm depends on their computers to keep the documents flowing and business running. Some common errors that are preventable problems: 4. Install and Uninstall lots of programs, especially Betas. The more programs you install, the more likely you are to run across ones that include malicious code or will cause your system to crash. You should install only legitimate programs you really need, and try to minimize the number you install and uninstall. To Be Continued next week... Is Your Firm Saving 20% According to the Economic Policy Institute, the wage gap between college-educated women and their male counterparts has actually gotten bigger since the mid-'90s. A decade ago, women earned 75.7 cents for each dollar paid to a man. Now it's 74.7 cents or approximately 20%. According to a recent article "Why Women Get Paid Less - 6 Tips on Winning a Raise", it appears that women's unwillingness to "rock the boat" is a big reason why. According to the Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society, "The first line of defense against unworthy clients is a sound business intake system." What is involved in a sound intake process? 3. Independent Review of Client/Matter Intake Decisions: Perhaps the most effective procedure is to require a separate review by an independent and disinterested party. That person could be the managing partner, the firm's loss prevention partner, or any other partner not immediately involved with the originating partner's practice. All of this counts for nothing, however, if the independent reviewer lacks the authority or courage to turn down the client. More about that in the following weeks - or you can read the entire article now. And if you need help in putting these (or any systems) in place, contact us at info@legallylarge.com. We're here to help.
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March 2007, Week 4 5 Things That Can Mess Up Your Computer For Staff... Sometimes, users create problems for their computers and for the network. Every law firm depends on their computers to keep the documents flowing and business running. Some common errors that are preventable problems: 3. Neglect to run or update antivirus and anti-spyware programs. Sometimes you have to disable antivirus programs to install new software, and they have to be updated on a regular basis. Even though they are a pain, you can't afford to go without virus protection. Spyware can install itself without your knowledge. To Be Continued next week... Blogging -- Did You Check With Your Insurance Carrier? Executive Risk Specialty (a unit of Chubb) has told one of its New Jersey insureds that blogging "is not a risk they are interested in undertaking." The reasons weren't specified. However, one leading malpractice consultant speculates that the key component to evaluating the risk is probably a strong disclaimer in the blog. Other experts say that the risk is blown out of proportion since blogging is not qualitatively different from other forms of communication a firm might use. According to the Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society, "The first line of defense against unworthy clients is a sound business intake system." What is involved in a sound intake process? 2. Creditworthiness Review: Telling a prospective client that you want permission to conduct a credit check is probably not going to win any points with the client. There is, however, a wealth of information available on the internet through a wide range of sources. The obvious sources might be Dunn & Bradstreet and Moody's. Other online sources of company and individual credit information include CRIBIS, Experian, Thomas West and Equifax Inc. More about that in the following weeks - or you can read the entire article now. And if you need help in putting these (or any systems) in place, contact us at info@legallylarge.com. We're here to help.
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March 2007, Week 3 5 Things That Can Mess Up Your Computer For Staff... Sometimes, users create problems for their computers and for the network. Every law firm depends on their computers to keep the documents flowing and business running. Some common errors that are preventable problems: 2. Surf the internet without a firewall. Every internet-connected computer should be protected by a firewall. It must be turned on and configured properly to protect you. To Be Continued next week... Dictation Tips Dictating is a great way to increase billable hours by becoming more efficient. However, there are a few rules: According to the Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society, "The first line of defense against unworthy clients is a sound business intake system." What is involved in a sound intake process? 1. Conflict Search & Resolution: Every intake process should begin with a thorough conflict search, not just for possible adverse parties, but for possible adverse positions the firm may have taken in prior cases. Patent firms need an additional conflict check into adverse and competing technologies. More about that in the following weeks - or you can read the entire article now. And if you need help in putting these (or any systems) in place, contact us at info@legallylarge.com. We're here to help.
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March 2007, Week 2 5 Things That Can Mess Up Your Computer For Staff... Sometimes, users create problems for their computers and for the network. Every law firm depends on their computers to keep the documents flowing and business running. Some common errors that are preventable problems: 1. Plug into the wall without surge protection. This one actually can physically destroy your computer equipment, as well as the data. Something as simple as turning on an appliance that is plugged into the same outlet can cause a surge. If you don't have a surge protector now, go down to your local discount store and buy one - TODAY. It's well worth the money spent. To Be Continued next week... Getting Started with E-Learning Getting started with e-learning can have many benefits for your firm - from a cost, time and learning perspective. As an employer, you now have the ability to influence more than the formal learning process. Thanks to e-learning, you can influence and tailor training the meet the needs of your biggest asset - your human capital. Too many partners in too many firms are so hungry to bring in new business that they lose objectivity during the client-intake process. If the intake protocols lack rigor and discipline, it is too easy for "unworthy clients" to get in the door. Once retained, the firm may have difficulty detaching itself from the client. Too often, the firm doesn't recognize the problem until after the client has run up a big tab and the originating partner is loath to cut bait and move on. According to the Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society, "The first line of defense against unworthy clients is a sound business intake system." More about that in the following weeks - or you can read the entire article now.
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