The current scenario has brought us into a difficult and unseen situation. On one side where human lives are threatened by the deadly virus and on another side all the businesses are heavily impacted. Both the things health and business are equally important for society.

Considering the situation at present working in a remote environment is going to be the new norm for law firms. Working remotely has not come as an option but it’s a dire need for the business process continuity.

Any deep crisis is an opportunity to make your life extraordinary in some way.

— Martha Beck, Author

It’s challenging and altogether a new experience, but the Processes and Technology can still let us remain productive.

Legalxgen has always been focused proactive about any new changes law firms need to adapt. We’ve done significant research to identify the best practices to remain productive while you’re working in a remote environment.

The following are some points we’ve identified. These should be helpful to overcome the challenges like Growth and Productivity in the current situation.

1. Effective Communication with Team and Client

• • Make sure you have a clear understanding on the client’s requirements.
  • Share a formal document with the client and take the approval. It should outline the deliverables, dates, charges, and any important points you want mention. This ensures the clarity of all the parameters of engagement.
  • Always make a team considering the type of engagement. This team could of any small size. Idea is to assign task owners.
  • If team size is big considering the engagement need to have a maker-checker arrangement. Senior resources are always reviewing their associate’s assignment before delivery.
  • Set clear expectations with each team and members within.

2. Keep a track on Productivity

• • Always set deadlines. Give sufficient time considering the skills and experience of the team and consider some buffer time as well.
  • Keep daily update meetings. This meeting should not take more than 10 minutes. Anything complex situation needs to be discussed separately.
  • Make sure everyone does the time recording on daily basis.
  • Any delay and challenges should be communicated within team and with client without much delay.

3. Technology Infrastructure

• • Need identify an online meeting platform.
  • If you are not using any Practice Management Software you need to capture the Client, Matter and Timesheet. You may use Google Spreadsheet with separate sheets creates for each Client, Matter, Timesheet etc.
  • Have a centralized storage for the documents.
  • Ideally you should use a billing software to keep the track on invoices, receipts, and the expenses. If you’re not using any billing software, make use of Google Spreadsheets to keep the track on bills and receipts.
  • You may create WhatsApp Groups, it’s extremely helpful for quick communication. We advise to use web version for faster chat https://web.whatsapp.com/

4. Cyber Security

• • Make sure suitable antivirus is installed into each machine with certain security rules.
  • If you’re not using any software, ensure you’re backing up the documents and important data periodically from the individual machines.
  • Have strong password policy and two factor authentications like security norms.
  • Have periodic training sessions for the team on security.

5. Business Development

• • Make a professional profile for the firm. It could be a Power Point with 10 slides to with your expertise and experiences highlighted.
  • Record new business opportunities received either through the website, email, or phone.
  • Do remember to share your firm profile and follow-up.
  • Have a database of the prospective clients.
  • You could write some blogs to have a better web presence.

Hope you find it useful to remain productive and be on the growth path.