Raising the Bar Blog - Developing high achievers into world class rainmakers

I just got back from my annual sabbatical--the two weeks I take every year to rest, renew and rethink my business and my life. It's two weeks I look forward to every year and by the time I get it, I can really use it! However, I have to confess that those two weeks aren't really free of work. In fact, thinking about my work and my life is very hard work indeed. And while it's great to pretend that I am really away, the truth is it's a vacation in name only. I'm not complaining. Those two weeks gazing at the ocean are exactly what I need to let fresh air and fresh ideas in. The end of those two weeks mark the beginning of the new year for me. I come back charged up and ready to go.

Now, the idea of a sabbatical is different from a vacation. It's more a time to explore special interests or achieve specific goals. (In my case, planning the next twelve months of Me, Inc.) Many firms are adopting the idea of extended paid leave but let's face it, you probably wouldn't take it even if you could--especially now when things aren't going well in the business world and your absence might send the wrong message but, guess what? Now is probably the best time to withdraw and re-energize. If there's one thing we all need right now is fresh ideas and renewed vitality for the challenges we are facing.

So, have you thought about slipping away to gather your forces for the future you want to build? And if so, where will you go and what will you do to get the most from your time away? Tell us about it. Your story might be just what someone else needs to hear.

If you need more encouragement, Human Capital League has a great article on the subject. "4 Reasons Your Boss Should Take A Vacation" by Tanveer Naseer makes a strong argument for taking time off. Just change "your boss" to you! 

Until next time,

Robin

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Recently, I asked super rainmaker John Yates, partner in charge of the technology practice with Morris, Manning and Martin in Atlanta how the economy has changed his marketing efforts and how it has affected his focus and activities. This is what he told me--in his own words. (You can also watch a video excerpt of John's comments here.)

YATES: The economy has impacted us in several ways. First, it has caused us to be far more selective in where we spend our marketing dollars. What organizations are we going to participate in? Where are we going to spend our time and energy? We really have taken a look at marketing opportunities and said, “We can’t do everything; what will be most impactful.”

There are direct business development benefits from looking very closely at where we spend our marketing dollars. Most importantly, that has helped us to improve our ability to target the right business development opportunities.

Second, it has created an impetus on our part to develop efficiency tools. How can we be more efficient in delivering our services? That involves things like legal project management. It means sitting down and working with our colleagues on understanding budgets…understanding the whole billing process, making sure that the bill shows value add and that there’s a benefit to the client. The idea of sending a one sentence bill “for services rendered” wasn’t a good idea to begin with and certainly in the current environment it doesn’t work well.

In the business development arena, it’s important to be able to explain to a client that you are careful about their resources, that you are a good steward of their cash, and that you can also provide a unique value add. In the current economy, we also spend more time understanding our clients’ overall business needs. When we sign up a new client, we do a legal review of their current situation, and we try to understand their top legal and business priorities.

For example, their highest priority may be to find a qualified outside board member. If we can help them find an outside director, at no charge, that may be the highest and best use of our time. We can drive value to them by providing them with a board member -- somebody that may be a key player on their team. We may also be able to introduce them to a key prospect or strategic partner. These are actions we can take in the current environment that don’t cost them a nickel, but will begin to develop a closer affinity between our law firm and our clients.

How has the economy changed what you or your firm is doing?

Until next time,

Robin