How do you grow your firm and still maintain a close-knit team? Jason Pink, Administrator of Gianelli & Associates in Modesto, California, tells how their firm handled it. We're a small, but busy, 9-attorney law firm. When we outgrew the 6,500 square foot building we were in, we added an annex at the next door building. We moved three attorneys and a few staff over there. … [Read more...] about How one California law firm regained its corporate culture and improved business
Increasing profits
5 tactics to try at the next trade show to bring in new business
It's inexpensive. It hits the exact market the firm wants to target. And it provides face-to-face contact with potential clients. It's the trade show exhibit. It's a small investment with a good return says Linda Bishop of Thought Transformation, an Atlanta sales and marketing firm. As a trade show exhibitor, an attorney can reach several hundred people who have direct … [Read more...] about 5 tactics to try at the next trade show to bring in new business
To see better profits, look harder at where money starts and ends
Profit doesn't happen without a prod. Particularly in a tight financial environment, a firm has to know where its money is coming in and going out. It also "has to be nimble and on top of what's going on," because the supply, the demand, and the acceptable price of legal work is constantly changing, says Bob Henderson, of RJH Consulting, a business consulting group for small … [Read more...] about To see better profits, look harder at where money starts and ends
6 proven strategies to make the most of revenues to build profits
Improving the billing turnaround time, increasing the number of attorneys, cutting the expenses: All help the bottom line, but there are higher level issues that require as much or more of the financial attention. The firm's success calls for going past counting the money to evaluating the data, optimising the profit margin, keeping the billing rates up, and getting rid of … [Read more...] about 6 proven strategies to make the most of revenues to build profits
Paying too much office rent? Try these 7 rent-cutters
Can the partners live with less space? After payroll, office space is the firm's second highest expense, in most cases eating up from 7% to 10% of the revenues. With the bite that big, every office needs to look for ways to cut the office cost. Here are some good ways to do just that. And along with them are some lease negotiation factors the firm can use. 1 The same … [Read more...] about Paying too much office rent? Try these 7 rent-cutters
9 ways your firm can avoid the downward spiral of debt
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio When it comes to debt, I believe that less is more. And it makes me shake my head when I hear about firms going into debt to finance their service business. Borrowing money to finance a law practice is opening the door to unending debt that will self-perpetuate as the borrowing and re-paying continues endlessly. There are always cash flow problems, … [Read more...] about 9 ways your firm can avoid the downward spiral of debt
What’s overshadowing your partnerʼs big revenues?
Any firm can lose money to the very partners who are bringing in the most of it. That's because firms measure partner profitability by revenues only, and that doesn't show the full financial picture, says practice management consultant Andra Watkins of Positus Consulting in Charleston, SC. There's also a subjective side to evaluating each partner's contribution. And that … [Read more...] about What’s overshadowing your partnerʼs big revenues?
3 proven ways to build a more profitable client base
It's always a good idea for any business to revisit its business plan, making sure it's on track with its vision and meeting the needs of its target customers. Usually this review involves asking itself the three big strategic questions: Where is the practice now? Where do we want it to go? How will we get there? But sometimes it's not always easy to clearly identify where … [Read more...] about 3 proven ways to build a more profitable client base
4 ways to get the most out of slow summer days
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Summer is here, and with that the inevitable slow-down of the court dockets as judges and judicial assistants make their escape over summer vacation. There are many ways to make efficient use of this downtime that will benefit the firm and keep you on track to end the year on a successful, and profitable, note. Here are 4 ways to make efficient and … [Read more...] about 4 ways to get the most out of slow summer days
Some not-so-difficult ways to increase revenue
Need a better bottom line? Don't go the way of most firms and start "stripping the heck out of the operating costs." The real dollars come from increasing revenue. And doing that is often more common sense than magic, says financial consultant Michael R. Marget, managing director of 4L Law Firm Services in Tampa. Get under the payment wire The first and easiest way to … [Read more...] about Some not-so-difficult ways to increase revenue