Features and Opinion – Page 7
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FeatureUpwards and onwards
Much is written about influencing others, but usually in relation to our team members, clients or peers. Less is written about influencing up: an essential skill for our own career development. Mike Scott outlines four simple tips
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FeatureTo the purpose
Do you know what your firm’s purpose is? How about your own? Do they match? Could your or your firm’s purpose be holding you back? Barry Wilkinson argues for the central role of purpose in competing, and ensuring your survival, in the current marketplace
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FeatureGive to receive
If lawyers assign legal work and the results don’t meet their expectations, they often blame the people they assigned it to. But, says Gary Richards, the issue often lies with how the work was assigned: the initial conversation and the process following it
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FeatureDetective work
The recent high-profile case law around workers’ rights could have a direct impact on law firms which employ self-employed consultants or contractors. Alison Downie explains how to assess whether your consultants are workers, and what you need to do if they are
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FeaturePlaying for keeps
The evidence shows that employee loyalty is a thing of the past. If you want to attract and retain talent in your business, and thereby build a productive workforce and compete effectively, learning and development are key, says Michelle Parry-Slater
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FeatureThe good fight
Most of us shy away from conflict, and when we are involved, it’s often not productive, damaging relationships and the effectiveness of our teams. Julian Hall explains how to avoid unnecessary conflict, and approach necessary conflict in a productive way
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FeaturePeople power
The legal recruitment market is changing in every way – employers, employees and clients. How can you attract and keep the people you need to build a thriving business? Nicola Jones and Jane Green-Armytage explain
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FeatureLive and learn
The continuing competence regime has now been compulsory for just over two months. Diana Bentley talks to the regulator, firms and industry experts about how the change is being implemented in practice
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FeatureA bright future
A range of challenges face partners looking to plan effectively for their retirement in the current volatile marketplace. Mark Waddilove looks at the options, and which to choose at different stages of your retirement planning
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FeatureBetter together
Networking, both internally and externally, is often dreaded by legal professionals. But if you do it effectively, you and your firm will reap the rewards, says Anne Waldron
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FeatureYou can do it
Coaching as a business tool continues to grow in popularity. Louise Palmer explains how it can be used effectively in managing lawyers, and provides a number of practical techniques to help you develop a successful coaching relationship
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FeatureMoving with the times
Lucy Trevelyan looks at recent trends in the use of office space in law firms and beyond – including agile working, shoring and activity-based working – and examines the drivers for change, plus the benefits and possible pitfalls
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FeatureRinging the changes
In conversation with Elizabeth Noone, Christina Blacklaws reflects on her new role as deputy vice president of the Law Society, and discusses effective leadership and pressing issues for the profession
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FeatureFive business development options that don’t involve networking
A lawyer’s career hinges on their ability to win work. Douglas McPherson suggests five alternative options for those that don’t like formal networking
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FeatureThe importance of effective internal communication
Effective internal communication will reap dividends over time. Rachel Brushfield explains the role it plays in building employee engagement.
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FeatureThe final countdown
The changes to continuing professional development will be mandatory from 1 November 2016. Nicola Jones and Jane Green-Armytage look at how firms are responding, and the pros and cons of adapting the old regime versus embracing a competency-based approach
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FeatureRunning for my life
Sally Azarmi began training for the London Marathon last year, despite never having run competitively before, and having a painful condition in one leg. And the training taught her more about running her law firm than she ever could have expected
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FeatureA gentle nudge
Why don’t most compliance programmes work in practice? Because the traditional theory on which they are based doesn’t take into account how people really behave. Barry Vitou looks at what we can learn from a more recent approach: nudge theory
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FeatureGunning for success
With a distinguished career as a law firm partner behind him, Darryl Cooke co-founded a law firm, gunnercooke, on an innovative new model. He explains to Duncan Wood how the firm is challenging the way that legal services are delivered
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FeatureThe test of time
Joanne Hunter outlines how making three small changes to how your fee-earners value, manage and record their time could make your firm more than £111,000 extra per year for every one of your fee-earners