Last week, the MI Managing Partner Forum was truly global - with two Zoomscreensful* of MPs from Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia, Canada and the Americas, North and South - to share experiences and insight.
We tackled the challenge of sticking together whilst being apart – the difficulty of maintaining an inclusive, supportive and collegiate ‘office’ culture whilst working remotely or only coming into the office erratically.
And we discussed how both individuals and firms have adapted quickly to using technology to communicate internally, reach clients and market themselves.
Interestingly, we are seeing a shift in the traditional ‘rainmaker’ model too; with networking events being virtual, many associates or ‘quieter’ partners are finding it easier to make and build connections from behind a screen rather than working a room.
The importance of service excellence and word of mouth as the most important driver of client behaviour was stressed – as well as that of engaging with existing clients and cross-selling in an individual and targeted way.
There is still a question mark over firms’ ‘real estate footprint’ – with more flexible working patterns (and in some areas, particularly the larger cities, with a reluctance to brave public transport to commute), resulting in potentially less need for office space if the trend is prolonged.
Many firms have also focused on going the extra mile both to retain key staff and recruit new talent – even in these challenging times – and what new models need to be taken to attract young lawyers; it does seem that the private office is no longer a draw the way it used to be – but a beer fridge might be!
Finally – with many lawyers continuing to work flat out, whilst dealing with the stresses of the pandemic, both personal and professional – there was a call to highlight wellness and wellbeing at the next forum.
For your schedules, our next Global MP Forum will be on 3rd December 2020, at 2.30pm UK GMT.
Here’s Barbara Barron from Mehaffy Webber in Texas with the view from the US’s 2nd largest State; it’s worth the watch: https://youtu.be/2NIwpL6ubgY
*New: 2020 form of measurement....