For the next 48 hours Paula Black will be offering an impressive opportunity to anyone who purchases “The Little Black Book: A Lawyer’s Guide To Creating A Marketing Habit in 21 Days.” Readers who purchase the book will receive “The Smart Lawyer’s Toolkit,” a compilation of advice from more than 30 of the most sought-after experts in the legal arena (including myself!). Click here for details.

The Business of Law now available

The Business of Law 2009, authored by Ron Pol and Ashley Balls, with contributions from David Maister and Professor Stephen Mayson, provides an in-depth analysis of the trends affecting the legal sector in New Zealand. I believe this report will not only provoke debate about the shape and future of the legal industry in New Zealand, but also stimulate better business practice in the legal profession generally. This is a 'must read' for anyone operating in the legal sector in New Zealand. To order your copy, click here.

Time to innovate

These are exciting times, for lawyers and law firms. Yes, exciting. Perhaps not the first word that comes to mind for many managing partners at the moment, given the downturn in business and the consequential squeeze on law firm profits. Yet I do believe that this slowdown is a blessing in disguise for many firms of all sizes and in all locations, providing them with the impetus and the incentive to really think differently about their businesses and to make lasting changes so that they can emerge from this downturn stronger, leaner and more effective than before...(Read more here).

What Susan Boyle Can Teach Us

The meteoric 'success' of Susan Boyle, the Scottish 47 year old spinster who was 'discovered' on talent show, 'Britain's Got Talent' last week is a heartwarming story indeed. From anonymity to global media sensation in just 5 days.

For me anyway, the episode teaches us three lessons:
1. Talent is right under your nose if you go looking for it;
2. You may be surprised by who has the talent;
3. The internet has the power to change things overnight; Susan's clip has had 25 million hits on You Tube in just a week!

Congratulations Susan on breaking the stereotypical mould.

Want to create an extraordinary practice?

Stunning location, log fires, great food, New Zealand wines, and fantastic ideas from people like Gerry Riskin and Ron Pol to develop your practice. Sounds too good to be true? Read on.

Nurture + Support + Flexibility = Advantage

A flexible, supportive working environment is the number one factor that voters (predominantly from Australia and New Zealand) considered to give them a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining the best people to their firms according our recent on-line talent survey. Of course, if all firms consider that to be the source of their advantage, then one might argue that there is, in fact, little to differentiate one firm from another and so no advantage is actually gained! However it is encouraging to see more firms placing value on having lawyers with a life on their team!

For firms that are not focussing on developing a flexible, supportive workplace, the following comment from one voter may act as sufficient incentive:

"The principal of this firm is clueless about how to manage or retain people. I am the senior lawyer here and am leaving shortly and happily. The management practices at this firm involve bullying, devaluing and denigrating staff in a way that is very arguably a breach of OH&S/professional misconduct."

Thanks to all those subscribers who took the time to vote.