It can be difficult to find positives in these challenging times. Speaking to lots of law firms over the past few weeks, it seems there is plenty to feel upbeat about.
After many years of sceptical thinking, working from home is now a reality, and for many it seems to be working rather well. Firms that had never had any staff working from home before, and had never given any serious thought to it, were able to transform their working practices within a fortnight. One main concern has always been how to ensure that staff can be as productive at home as they are in the office, but partners in many firms are now feeling much more reassured. I wonder how many of us will regularly work from home when normal life returns.
- Everyone has adapted to video conferencing, and it works. Whether it is Zoom, House Party, WhatsApp, Facetime or one of the other video-conferencing facilities available, being able to have face to face meetings, albeit via a screen, has been a revelation. The loss of travelling to meetings has freed up so much time that few of us will want to give up when we can travel freely again.
- For most, paperless working is finally here. Document management systems have been indispensable since the lockdown, and many firms are looking at ways to build on this, to finally do away with paper files
- Firms have realised the importance of having regular, timely and accurate management information. Cash flow forecasts are particularly essential in times like these, and the old saying that Cash is King has never been more relevant.
- Billing procedures have been updated and improved to allow bills to be raised, posted and sent to clients in a matter of hours. Gone are the days of asking a secretary to type a bill, then sending it to Accounts to check, then sending it back to the secretary to amend, before the fee earner can finally send it to the client.
- We also have a better focus on identifying and transferring earmarked client funds promptly. The old 14 day rule feels redundant now, as switched-on firms are transferring monies as soon as possible.
- Fee earners now understand the importance of asking their clients for monies on account at the start of a matter. It has always baffled me that firms were prepared to fund sometimes huge amounts of disbursements for their clients, i.e. lend their clients money for free, because they did not want to ask the client for money upfront.
- Dressing for your day is a welcome change. Many large organisations do this already, but it is rare to see a law firm that allows its staff to wear whatever they feel is suitable (within reason!). Guidelines around what to wear for client meetings are usually required, but aside from this, the vast majority of staff can be trusted to dress appropriately.
- People have been able to catch up on their training. Over the past few weeks I have watched several excellent webinars on all manner of topics. I’ve even watched a few SRA videos on YouTube!
- Working separately has improved teamworking, and people seem to genuinely care for each other. Have you noticed that the first thing we all ask when we speak to each other is “how are you coping and are you ok?” The current situation has brought out the compassionate side in all of us.
It will be really interesting to see what happens when we are all back in the office. Hopefully, we will all continue to build on the lessons that we have learned, so that we are more efficient, make full use of the tools available to us and are more financially-savvy. Everyone should also be more cost-effective too, with less reliance on delivery and transport costs.
Most importantly, I hope that the feeling of us all being in this together and being part of a team continues. In the meantime, take care.