One of the most common challenges experienced by my lawyer clients today is the need to accomplish more work with fewer resources. Lawyers, both in firms and corporate, are challenged to share administrative resources like never before. Partners at all levels are concerned about how much work they can delegate to their support staff or marketing team. The good news is that there are new resources available via technology or outsourcing services that can help expand capabilities. The key consideration for a 21st century business is to optimize, automate or outsource, says Ari Meisel, author of Less Doing, More Living. Below I’ve listed a few resources that can be used to expand capacity or enhance productivity on both a work and personal level. Before you think, “I’m just not that technology savvy,” check out these applications and websites. If you don’t use them yourself, it certainly will help your assistant do more for you in less time!
Refresh – A free smartphone application or website that searches the web and social media to deliver insights about your contacts to quickly identify mutual interests, shared passions or important moments. This can boost your relationship development without the time commitment.
Fancy Hands – A virtual assistant service that for a fee will execute one-time tasks such as online research, reservations, event planning or even small online purchases with secure payment features.
Task Rabbit – Runs errands you don’t have time to do yourself for an hourly rate that is bid on by providers for as little as $10-$15/ hour. This will get you some time back to invest in business development or personal enjoyment.
Amazon Subscribe and Save – This services allows you to automate purchases of items that you need and replace or purchase regularly at a discounted cost. If you are too busy to keep up with routine supplies, this can help take a few things off your to do list.
Business development success today requires strategic thinking, creativity and focus. Now is a good time to start considering new methods that help evolve traditional business development models to include today’s tricks and tools. If you or your firm is frustrated by insufficient revenue growth, consider a few experiments in order to create new precedents for success. Holiday season is around the corner, an ideal time to meet with clients, peers and fellow experimenters in order to plot how you will leave the insanity behind (you know… doing the same thing expecting a different result) and make 2015 the year of the 21st century rainmaker!