It’s interesting the different phases that “change” goes through.
When I was faced in the early 2000’s with a seriously large legal bill I didn’t really mind because it was a percentage of the overall deal. What really got to me was that the final bill ended up being just short of 100% higher than I had been led to believe.
That seriously annoyed me. But guess what? It was actually quite common for businesses to be on the receiving end of final legal bills higher than originally quoted.
Reasons given (or excuses) were, “The other side took longer”, “The deal was more complicated than first expected” “Due diligence threw up some unforseen isues"….etc etc”
When I eventually joined the legal profession it was out of interest and a desire to learn about the law. But I also thought that I could bring some experience as a customer to maybe change a few things.
That was interesting, let me tell you!
I remember suggesting a number to text on the bottom of Property “For Sale” Boards. (In 2005) "Won't work"
Opening a virtual office in London to deal with corporate enquiries. (In 2007) "Waste of time and money" Even though the total cost was less than £1,000 (One Thousand Pounds)
Starting a Twitter account (in 2008) "Why would anyone want to read that?"
Introducing value based pricing. "Can't be done"
Doing Free Wills to build up the client base (Obscenities were hurled at me for that one!) "It will be done over my dead body!"
Or simply trying to get outside assistance for a partner strategy day away from the office and so on…noting immensely radical, but things that needed to be done (or so I thought anyway)
The business of law has gone through an ugly time recently, certainly for the last 5 years…but I'm convinced it means good times ahead to those who take action and more importantly…are prepared to change.
The idea that we may potentially follow the ugliest 5 years we can recall with perhaps the best 10 or 15 years is a bit awe-inspiring for some. Or just plain idiotic to most.
Remember, good ideas about change rarely start out as feeling good.
They tend to go through a few phases: First, something like "You are out of your mind" is included, then slowly it turns to "That guy has a weird way of looking at things" and then it tips over to, "You know, I can kind of see your point ." followed by, "You know, I think you are on to something", "Yes, I am tending to agree with that new thesis" and slowly but surely arriving at, "Well, of course, isn't that obvious?"
Keep in mind that the only compelling differences in those perspectives are: a) how many people in the crowd begin to follow like a, well, crowd and b) how the media starts to change its tune in reporting.
When I was faced in the early 2000’s with a seriously large legal bill I didn’t really mind because it was a percentage of the overall deal. What really got to me was that the final bill ended up being just short of 100% higher than I had been led to believe.
That seriously annoyed me. But guess what? It was actually quite common for businesses to be on the receiving end of final legal bills higher than originally quoted.
Reasons given (or excuses) were, “The other side took longer”, “The deal was more complicated than first expected” “Due diligence threw up some unforseen isues"….etc etc”
When I eventually joined the legal profession it was out of interest and a desire to learn about the law. But I also thought that I could bring some experience as a customer to maybe change a few things.
That was interesting, let me tell you!
I remember suggesting a number to text on the bottom of Property “For Sale” Boards. (In 2005) "Won't work"
Opening a virtual office in London to deal with corporate enquiries. (In 2007) "Waste of time and money" Even though the total cost was less than £1,000 (One Thousand Pounds)
Starting a Twitter account (in 2008) "Why would anyone want to read that?"
Introducing value based pricing. "Can't be done"
Doing Free Wills to build up the client base (Obscenities were hurled at me for that one!) "It will be done over my dead body!"
Or simply trying to get outside assistance for a partner strategy day away from the office and so on…noting immensely radical, but things that needed to be done (or so I thought anyway)
The business of law has gone through an ugly time recently, certainly for the last 5 years…but I'm convinced it means good times ahead to those who take action and more importantly…are prepared to change.
The idea that we may potentially follow the ugliest 5 years we can recall with perhaps the best 10 or 15 years is a bit awe-inspiring for some. Or just plain idiotic to most.
Remember, good ideas about change rarely start out as feeling good.
They tend to go through a few phases: First, something like "You are out of your mind" is included, then slowly it turns to "That guy has a weird way of looking at things" and then it tips over to, "You know, I can kind of see your point ." followed by, "You know, I think you are on to something", "Yes, I am tending to agree with that new thesis" and slowly but surely arriving at, "Well, of course, isn't that obvious?"
Keep in mind that the only compelling differences in those perspectives are: a) how many people in the crowd begin to follow like a, well, crowd and b) how the media starts to change its tune in reporting.
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