In-House Perspective: The Guiding Principles of Lean Communication

Let’s start with why lean communication matters. 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. We all get that, so let’s think about the quality and nature of our 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 comms matters.

We have discussed how ‘lean’ is largely about effectiveness (correct outcome) and efficiency (on budget and on time). 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.