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The Time to Improve Administrative Performance Is Now
We are now awash in predictions of an impending economic downturn. Economists are predicting that sometime in 2020, the current boom will end. A boom that after 10 long years has returned the AmLaw averages to their inflation-adjusted 2008 numbers.
Recalling that Will Rogers once remarked that economists have accurately predicted 10 of the last eight recessions, I wonder what law firm management is waiting for. Why wait for a downturn to improve professional and administrative operations, policies and procedures? When is the best time to identify, discuss and design performance improvement measures? When you have the time, the resources, and clear heads or are in the midst of a financial crisis when survival is the only thing on your mind?
This article focuses on what a firm can do now that will improve future firm economics regardless of what the future may hold. I have identified three areas that offer the great opportunity for improving a law firms' economics and better positioning them for whatever the future may bring.
- Evaluate and Rank Professional and Administrative Staff
- Zero-Base Everything
- Banish the “WIABD” Mindset
Let's explore each opportunity and how best to achieve the goal of improving professional and administrative operations.
Evaluate and Rank Professional and Administrative Staff
Law firms have significant numbers of administrative support staff. The individual who performs the annual performance reviews of these employees is dependent upon their role within the firm. Administrative assistants (secretaries) are usually reviewed by the attorneys for whom they work. Staff in other departments (accounting, human resources (HR), IT, etc.) are usually evaluated by their respective managers and reviewed by either the Chief Operations Officer (COO) or other member of the firm's management. Raises are usually set during the budgeting process (2%-3%) and most, if not all employees get what is called a “peanut butter raise” — money is spread around to all employees with little if any distinction among the staff.
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