1. Communicate the Way Clients Prefer

Keep communications relevant, direct, and concise, and your clients will thank you.

 ”I communicate in clear unambiguous terms what I expect/need. I expect the same in reverse and also expect the communication to be in real time as a situation develops.” — Andrew Garard, Group General Counsel & Director of Corporate Affairs, Meggitt

Whether the task is investigation, analysis, knowledge management or reporting, the guiding principles of lean comms are always the same: Keep it relevant, direct, and concise. As anyone who’s been in private practice will know, your firm can spend all the money in the world on consultants and technology, but if the GC doesn’t like you, you’re out. Consider then the quality and nature of your engagements with clients. If you can be concise and helpful, the chances are that will translate into likeability. If you badger, bore or bewilder clients, the chances are you’ll be seen as just annoying. That’s one key reason why Lean Communications matter.

We have discussed how ‘lean’ is largely about effectiveness (correct outcome), efficiency (on budget and on time) and overall transparency. Efficiency means finding waste and eliminating it. In all areas of legal practice, waste accumulates around valueless activity and the usual suspects always include communications.

➤ REVIEW RELATED TOOL: Lean Communication Checklist

A good example of lean comms is a trial lawyers’ device called the ‘theory of the case.’ The transactional lawyers’ equivalent is ‘the theory of the deal.’ These are lean communications because they capture the entire thesis in one sentence, which can then become guiding beacons. So that is what we shall be looking at, how to distil what we need to convey concisely.

This premium content is locked for
Lean Adviser Legal subscribers only.

  • Subscribe now to receive:

  • 100+ Think Lean Daily Messages
  • 100+ Lean Lessons
  • 27 Lean Routine Checklists
  • 15 Lean Adviser Videos
  • Conference Calls for Q&A with Lean Adviser Editors including
    what’s coming next from Lean Adviser
  • Quarterly Training Sessions

Already have an account?
Interested in customizing your subscription with Law.com access?
Contact our Sales Professionals at 1-855-808-4530 or send an email
to [email protected] to learn more.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Lean Adviser Legal

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

Recommended Stories

More from ALM

 

ALM Legal Publication Newsletters

Sign Up Today and Never Miss Another Story.

As part of your digital membership, you can sign up for an unlimited number of a wide range of complimentary newsletters. Visit your My Account page to make your selections. Get the timely legal news and critical analysis you cannot afford to miss. Tailored just for you. In your inbox. Every day.

Privacy Policy

About Us / Contact Us / Site Map / Advertise With Us/ Customer Service / Terms of Service/ FAQ / Privacy Policy

Publications

Law Topics

Rankings

More

Law.com

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.