Create realistic processes.
Setting specific, achievable processes will help you keep your eyes on the ball. Look hard at any business processes that did and did not work for you (and your staff) over the past year. Were there processes that seemed to be more trouble than they were worth? Which procedures did not work because they were too difficult to keep up with? Use these findings to update your processes for 2023.
Learn how to work with outsourcing.
This idea can be difficult for anyone who is used to being in charge of their law firm. Many law firm owners have to wear many different hats when they are responsible for all the tasks in their business. This can make it even harder to let someone else take control. When it’s time to outsource tasks, think about what your legal practice struggles with the most. Are you unsure if your law firm’s financial accounts or compliance issues are being managed properly? Are tasks such as marketing campaigns stressing you out? Maybe you are spending too much time on administrative or small tasks that somebody else, or software could do. Your time is expensive, as a partner or director you probably charge your time at decent rates. Now might be the time to consider hiring extra help or investing in software to free up more of your schedule.
Refresh your business plan.
Presumably, you wrote your business plan as the first step in starting your legal practice. Your business plan should not be a one-off document but should also serve as your guide when you need direction. It can help you get organised and stay on track. If you decide to seek an investor, take out a loan, or attract a new partner or director, your business plan should also serve as a tool to demonstrate the value of your law firm to the outside world. We bet your law firm has changed since you wrote your business plan. Now is a good time to revise it and update it with the latest financial data, goals, competitor analysis, marketing ideas, and much more so that your legal practice can continue to grow in 2023.
Refresh your marketing plan.
Just like your business plan, you should take a closer look at your marketing plan. What worked well for your business last year? What didn’t? Where were your budgets being stretched? Which social media channels worked best for you? After you have identified which marketing activities helped your business the most and which were less successful last year, you can update your marketing plan with your findings. Your new plan should eliminate everything that didn’t work and focus on what works best for your law firm. Feel free to introduce new strategies. This way you can determine where your marketing budget should go in 2023 so that you get the most out of your investment.
Do more networking.
When you’re swamped with work and trying to tick off your to-do list, it can be difficult to fit something into your already overflowing schedule that doesn’t have an immediate impact on your business. That’s why a good idea for 2023 is to continue building your network.
By making an effort to make new contacts on a weekly or monthly basis, you increase your chances of making new business contacts, gaining valuable industry information, or building a strong professional relationship. The more you network, the more results you will see. Schedule networking like any other task in your calendar to ensure it is a priority and not an afterthought.
Identify any customer service issues.
Customer service is important. 93% of customers said they are more likely to become customers again with businesses that provide excellent customer service. When it comes to customer service, people remember bad experiences more often than good ones. Find out what your biggest issues were in 2022 and demonstrate how you and your staff can avoid them in the future. At the same time, make sure to offer praise for where things went well, and consider how you can build on that experience in 2023.
Look for opportunities to automate tasks.
Technology makes our lives easier every day, but are you harnessing its full potential for your law firm? Look for areas in your legal practice that you can automate. There is case management software that can automate processes like billing for fees, time recording, document creation, customer service, sales, and more so you don’t have to. This not only reduces the risk of manual errors from duplicating information into different systems but also frees up time for you and your staff to focus on other important tasks.
Prioritise company culture.
If your law firm depends on the work of your employees, then building a good company culture is a fantastic idea for 2023. Employees who feel engaged and inspired at work are 125% more productive than just ‘satisfied’ employees. A strong company culture that makes employees feel valued and respected and that their professional development is important is a great way to increase team member engagement and loyalty. Consider asking your staff what changes they would like to see in the company culture. Then work to develop a culture that reflects your law firm’s values and considers the needs of your employees. Happy employees are good for business!
Update your website.
If your law firm doesn’t have a website yet, now is the time to invest in one. A well-designed website can do wonders for increasing enquiries, growing your audience, promoting your brand, and improving customer service. At the very least, your website will ensure that existing and new clients can find you through search engines, show client reviews, and testimonials, and provide contact information for anyone who may be seeking to instruct work.
Look after yourself.
It can be quite exciting to return after a relaxing festive break full of energy and ready to hit the ground running again in January. It’s great to harness the energy that comes after resting and spending time with your loved ones, but before you jump into work in 2023, make sure you have a plan in place to prevent burnout this year. It’s no secret that many small business owners work until they drop. Burnout is not good for you, your business, or your personal life. Setting clear boundaries, knowing when to take a break, and learning when to ask for help are good ways to overcome burnout. We all have different limits on how much we can work and different ways of dealing with stress.
