Obstacles of Change: How to Manage a Transforming Law Firm Landscape
Change in life and in a law firm is not always easy to implement and adjust to. Especially with more new and cutting edge technology available to law firms, change is imminent. From the rise of new legal technology solutions and advancing business of law innovation, to the increased accessibility of streamlined work on mobile devices ─ change is here to help law firms improve their processes.
Where can this modern change be seen in the legal space? It is all across the board. Knowledge management is upgraded with innovative strategies and improved security. In the billing process, hang-ups are a predicament of the past with visible prebills and streamlined time entry on an eBilling platform. Legal modernization is even extending to artificial intelligence to improve productivity.
The idea of change can produce a variety of opinions, and opinions on the best change management methods during implementation can differ from firm to firm. Due to the continuously changing law firm landscape, it is an important topic to discuss and decipher what avenues work best for your firm to stay on track to success.
During this year’s Aderant Momentum Global Client Conference in Orlando, Florida, our second general session featured a panel of experts, moderated by Ann Marie Hurley, Business Development Executive, Aderant, to speak on change management strategies and personal experiences. These experts included Rance Sapen, COO at Butler Snow LLP; Cheri Turner, Financial Systems Director at Holland & Knight LLP; Joshua Fireman, President at Fireman & Company, and Marie Burgess, Director of Product Management at Aderant. Below are some of the resonating messages to help best tackle changes within a firm:
Convey the Need for Change and Involve the Team
There will most likely be some reluctancy with change implementation, but carefully explaining the need for change and the decision-making factors behind it will help.
“Start with humility and empathy,” said Fireman. “It’s nobody’s fault that it’s tough. If it was easy, we wouldn’t need to change it in the first place.”
Approaching the topic with care is essential when putting a change project in motion. It is also important to involve the team in the decision-making process as much as possible.
“Try to build a relationship with the lawyers, and make a decision as a team,” said Sapen. “Participation in the decision-making factors allows the team to feel part of the project, which can lead to increased acceptance and enthusiasm.”
Throughout the transition, it is important to see the change from the user’s perspective and be sensitive to any concerns that come up. “Change management requires understanding others and showing them a path to a different user journey that is not disruptive to the way they work,” said Fireman.
The change, after all, is to improve user efficiency and success, and it will most likely impact their daily work lives. Focusing on that aspect and addressing user concerns is imperative to effectively managing the change.
Recognize the Possibility of Unforeseen Obstacles
With any change and technology improvement, there are hurdles. While each firm can do their best to prepare for difficulties, there are some that are unpredictable.
“You’re going to have a problem, and it may not be the one you anticipated. You can’t anticipate everything, but it’s not bad to fail. Learn from that and take a step back,” said Sapen. “Understand from their perspective and understand that you will have an obstacle. You can plan for most of them, but you won’t plan for all of them.”
There may be obstacles that you can’t plan for, or just simply don’t think of, but growing from it and maintaining patience will make all the difference.
When communicating with users concerning process obstacles, Burgess advised that, “A different role will have a different obstacle. Tailoring that message will be key.”
Despite the obstacles, there are ways to best overcome them. The panelists agreed that the main solutions are to maintain enthusiasm, effectively communicate, and see it from the perspective of the users.
Stay Positive and Motivated
Even for the most enthusiastic change leaders, overwhelming feelings of stress and concern can set in. The panelists were no exception, and they emphasized the importance of staying positive.
Remaining enthusiastic throughout the process, despite your own occasionally worries, will help uplift the team. In addition to your own positive attitude, change cheerleaders within the firm can play an integral role in helping overcome obstacles and guide those who are more reluctant to adjust.
One point that the panel agreed on was that no matter the change, it is important to not stay too serious and have fun with the project. In addition to having change cheerleaders, Turner had other creative ideas to keep the team motivated during a long implementation process.
“Give it a name, give it a logo or codename, give it a theme,” said Turner about a recent implementation. “People felt like they belonged to it and were more invested in it.”
Fireman agreed with Turner’s ideas. He said, “Come up with fun ideas. Find ways to break out of the path that has not led you to the change you wish to see.”
This motivation and creativity during implementation, no matter how long, will help keep momentum going.
Leaders of Change
With the continuously transforming legal technology landscape, changes with legal business solutions are necessary. Although change is not a concept every solution user is enthusiastic about, it can help them with surpassing goals and revolutionize law firm success. With effective change management, leaders can guide the team with collaboration, obstacle adjustment, and a positive attitude.
Cheri put it best: “The only constant thing in our lives is change. We have to be vigilant to make sure we can enable people to be flexible and accept this change, whatever this individual project is. We have to be the leaders of change and not the leaders of projects.”
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Interested in learning more helpful tips and best practices? Join us for Momentum Europe at The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London on 15-16 October, 2019.
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