The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/67910
• Anticipate the future demands of each practice group and top clients • Manage multiple environments; technology autonomy may become the norm as individuals bring their own devices, including laptops, desktops, mobile devices and any other new device that the individual finds helpful • Adopt technology faster (e.g., the next iPhone or iPad technology must be deployed within days to begin realizing an increase in productivity for the firm) • Master compliance and security with a design that's auditable by clients; new legal industry regulations/laws might be in place Prepare for Future Leadership Now Upgrading "stuff" is no longer enough; showing value is on the menu. Expectations will continue to require adaptation and adoption of valued solutions faster than ever before, with a greater understanding of the business and the clients' businesses. The question is, "How do I prepare for future expectations?" An important first step to success is accepting the fact that the IT leadership role must change for the firm to continue to succeed. Here are a few suggestions on how to prepare for future success as an IT leader: • Read! Read what law firm IT leaders, attorneys and top business leaders of the world are reading. "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." –Harry S. Truman • Be an expert communicator — both orally and in writing. Join the local Toastmasters club, take a writing class, write for ILTA or other organizations and get into volunteer roles that get you in front of people. Six Reasons To Outsource You by Robert C. Mattern of Mattern & Associates LLC When your firm has a knowledgeable and professional management staff, why would you consider bringing in an outsider to perform a job capable of being executed and managed internally? An outside resource does not weaken the role of the in-house law firm leader; it strengthens it. Here are six reasons why outsourcing work to the right resource should be part of your firm's strategy now and into the future: 1. Decisions Are Unbiased: Even what seems like a simple decision can become a politically sticky situation. An outside resource can provide unbiased ideas based on what other firms are doing, as well as the benchmark data and operational matrices to support the ideas. 2. Money Will Be Saved: Over the last four years, overall staffing in the typical law firm has decreased; however, the responsibilities of law firm leaders have increased. Teams have become strained to do more with less. When reviewing the year's list of projects, outsourcing work can save the firm money by increasing resources on a temporary basis, instead of hiring permanent staff that might not be needed long-term. Firms can also cut costs by utilizing outside expertise to assist in pricing and negotiating support services contracts. 76 Peer to Peer