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Technology Panel

Technology Panel. Adriana Linares Lincoln Mead. The Deadly Dozen: 12 Technology Mistakes Your Firm Cannot Afford to Make. Understand Your Dependence. How dependent are you on technology? How tech-aware are you? What if your computer was not available for a day? A week?

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Technology Panel

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  1. Technology Panel Adriana Linares Lincoln Mead

  2. The Deadly Dozen: 12 Technology Mistakes Your Firm CannotAfford to Make

  3. Understand Your Dependence • How dependent are you on technology? • How tech-aware are you? • What if your computer was not available for a day? A week? • What would happen to your clients?

  4. 12. Clinging to outdated technology • If it’s not broken – don’t fix it? • If it is broken – find a work around • Ignoring the productivity dollar • Watch your technology’s competitors? • Outdated Technology brings RISK

  5. 11. Failure to Maintain • Reduces the unexpected, and therefore reduces risk. • Create and follow a periodic maintenance plan for your hardware and network. • Ensure that software updates to happen. • Protect your equipment. (UPS / Surge) • Standardize hardware purchases whenever possible.

  6. 10: Going Cheap on Security • Even a small network needs security. • Anti-virus software (No brainer, Right?) • Firewall for Internet connection? • Do I need to encrypt? • Physical security of equipment? • Proper destruction?

  7. 9. Outsourcing Misfire? • Understand your core competencies. (It’s not I.T., trust us) • Strike a balance between in house abilities and outsourcing for more intense tasks. • Make ‘tech saavy part’ of your hiring goals.

  8. 8. Moonlighting! • Your clients can moonlight as lawyers, too. • Paying $150 vs $50? • You set IT strategy / goals: Budget for IT support for the detail work. • Again, not getting client work done while installing new software, repairing a computer, fixing a printer…bad idea

  9. 7. Failing to plan for a disaster • Don’t forget your obligation to protect your client data! • Offsite Storage Vs Firebox Vs Online Archive? • 1 File Per Month Rule… • Emergency contact list • For clients?

  10. 6. Yielding to ‘Old Guard’ mentality • The “Shirley Factor”; (Shirley does what’s best for Shirley not you) • Fear vs. sound reasoning; • The buck stops with you, not Shirley • Attorneys don’t know what their assistants don’t know • Failure to offer/deliver training • New systems, software, hardware • Ongoing

  11. 5. Clinging to out dated business practices • That’s the way we’ve always done it! • Advance the firm as a business. • How do your client's businesses run? • Keep up on practice management tools • Case management, T&B software

  12. 4. Stepping over a Dollar to Pick up a Dime • Read the entire technology plan/proposal (resist flipping to the last page); • Be wary of the WalMart (WhiteBox) Computer! • Put yourself in your client’s shoes.

  13. 3. Getting Seduced by ‘Shiny’ • Understand the difference between NEED and WANT. (Seems simple but…) • Make sure you have a BUSINESS reason/plan for a purchase.

  14. 2. Failing to Budget for Training • Admit it: You can’t afford the technology without training. • Staff will ‘self train’ to meet the minimums. • Online options / DVDs for flexibility. • Amortize training (& depreciation) into your TOTAL COST of OWNERSHIP • Managing your practice is a continuing effort; • GET REFERENCES from Vendors

  15. 1. Neglecting to Plan • Technology is not a ‘Crisis’ purchase! • Proactive vs. Reactive dollars • Create a business plan or an ongoing budget: • This is where I am; • This is where I want to be at the end of the year; • This is where I want to be after 5 years. • What is the true cost of a transaction? How can I cut that?

  16. CONCLUSIONS • Our dependence on technology means that if we do not stay on top of it, we put our firm and our client at risk. • Embrace the business opportunities to grow or change. • Allow the experts to do it right • Remember ALL of ITs’ budget: • Base Cost + Maintenance +Training + Destruction

  17. …and now some Chea…Inexpensive Legal Technology tips to help deal with those (and other) headaches. (The abbreviated version…)

  18. What gear do I need to start a practice?

  19. Get MS Office Up To Date. • Simpler (more relevant)interface • More tools. • Better automation • Support for PDF • …And love for the Apple crowd. • Office 2011 with Outlook(Finally)

  20. Improve your PDF Awareness • Have a “PDF First” Policy • Learn to manipulate PDFs • Understand security • Converting from PDF > Word • Use “Comments and Markups” • Esp: Prebills

  21. Cut the Cord (And improve disaster recover at the same time… • Netbooks + Tablets + MiFi + Hosted apps (cloud) = Practice on YOUR terms.

  22. A Few Law Firm“SaaS” Examples

  23. Gear Basics - Pick a Phone-Make it Smart IPhonevs Blackberry vs Android vs Palm vs Microsoft? There IS something out there that will work for you.

  24. How can I improve my marketing? • Social media WORKS! • Know where your clients look… • General & Legal specific services

  25. Are there websites that can help my practice?

  26. CasemakerElite • (Old version available to ease transition.) • Mobile.lawriter.net (Create an account) • Casemaker for ALL mobile web devices • www.utahbar.org/members • www.abanet.org/lpm/

  27. Thank You!

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