Buy Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap
close menu
Bookswagon
search
My Account
Home > Jurisprudence and general issues > Legal skills and practice > Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap
Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap

Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap


     0     
5
4
3
2
1



Out of Stock


Notify me when this book is in stock
X
About the Book

We don't have to tell you that strategy is critical if you want to achieve differentiation, competitive advantage and sustained financial success in today's legal market. But without a clear framework in place that engages key stakeholders at each stage of the planning process, things can quickly go awry - leading to expensive mistakes that erode firm profits, client base, talent pool and reputation. Written by respected strategy expert and consultant, John Sterling, Strategic Planning for Law Firms provides a comprehensive roadmap, guidance, checklists, tools and steps on all phases of a strategic planning process to ensure readers are able to: * Develop an easy-to-follow framework for strategy development and implementation; * Provide an objective, factual assessment of the internal and external environment facing the firm (survey included); * Clearly define and communicate the firm's strategic direction; * Focus firm resources to achieve short and long-term aspirations and a strong market position; * Define roles and responsibilities in delivering the strategic plan; and * Ensure strategies are implemented and followed on a day-to-day basis. This report is broken down into three clearly defined parts. Part one introduces readers to the four-phase strategic planning roadmap catering specifically to a law firm environment: * Situation analysis * Setting strategic direction * Strategy development * Implementation Part two then provides an in-depth look at how to exploit the key strategic planning tools and principles available to you, such as: * Portfolio analysis; * Product life cycle management; * Competitive intensity - Five forces analysis; * Scenario-based planning; and * Balanced scorecards. The specific strategic issues and challenges law firms face with strategic planning are covered in detail in part three. These include: * People management; * Succession planning; * Client expectations; * Knowledge management; * Legal process outsourcing; * Business development and marketing; and * Profit growth and financial management. Insightful case studies Strategic Planning for Law Firms features real-life case studies from a range of firms varying from mid-sized practices to large boutique and global firms, including Clarke Hill, Bryan Cave and Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox. By following this guide all firms will be able to craft and implement strategic plans to gain competitive advantage, improve firm sustainability and foster greater growth.

Table of Contents:
Executive summary...VII About the author...IX Acknowledgements...XI Part one: The four-phase strategic planning roadmap for law firms Chapter 1: Introduction to the strategic planning process...3 Phase one - Situation analysis...4 Phase two - Direction setting...4 Phase three - Strategy and objective development...4 Phase four - Implementation planning...5 Chapter 2: Phase one - Situation analysis...7 Internal analysis...8 Qualitative input - From lawyers and administrative leaders...8 Financial performance...10 Professional capabilities...13 Infrastructure and management capabilities...14 External analyses...15 Client feedback and input...15 Peer group and peer firm comparisons...17 Other external trends and business drivers...18 Strategic issues...18 Chapter 3: Phase two - Setting strategic direction...19 Vision...19 Mission...21 Values...21 Purposes...22 Is the mission a public or private document?...22 Brown Rudnick...23 Primary excellence goals...24 Process design - Developing strategic direction...25 Chapter 4: Phase three - Strategy development...29 Strategic thinking...29 Strategy development - Trade-offs and choices...31 Practice portfolio management...31 Format for strategies...32 Objective development...33 Chapter 5: Phase four - Implementation planning...35 Action planning approach...35 Direct action plan development...35 Prioritisation of action plans...36 Organisational and indirect support...37 Balanced scorecard approach...38 Part Two: Strategic planning tools and principles Chapter 6: Portfolio analysis...43 Origins of the tool...43 Law firm application...43 Applying the tool in a law firm setting...44 Plotting the portfolio...45 Applying the tool...47 Chapter 7: Product life cycle management...49 Origins of the tool...49 Law firm application...50 Applying the tool in a law firm setting...51 Chapter 8: Competitive intensity - Five forces analysis...53 Origins of the tool...53 Law firm application of the tool...54 Chapter 9: Scenario-based planning...57 Origins of the tool...57 Application of the tool to law firms...57 Applying the tool in a law firm setting...58 Chapter 10: Disruptive innovation...59 Origins of the tool...59 Application to the legal industry...60 Applying the tool in a law firm setting...61 Chapter 11: Co-creating unique value with customers...63 Origins of the tool and principles...63 Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap Law firm application...63 Applying the tool in a law firm setting...63 Chapter 12: Balanced scorecards...65 Benefits and advantages of balanced scorecards...65 Potential challenges in adopting a balanced scorecard approach...65 Part Three: Strategic issues - Universal challenges in the context of law firm strategic planning Chapter 13: Strategic issues - Section one...71 People management issues...71 Succession planning and management...73 Chapter 14: Strategic issues - Section two...75 Client expectations for value...75 ACC's Value Challenge...76 Knowledge management...77 Legal process outsourcing...78 Business development and marketing...79 Chapter 15: Strategic issues - Section three...83 Profit growth and financial management...83 Part Four: Case studies Case study 1: Efficient director involvement at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox...91 Preparation and process design...91 Fact gathering and background analysis...91 Direction setting and strategy development...92 Implementation planning and closure...92 Case study 2: A governance-driven process at Clark Hill...95 Preparation and process objectives...95 Fact gathering and background analysis...95 Strategic planning...96 Implementation planning...97 Closure and member retreat...97 Case study 3: Broad involvement at Bryan Cave...99 Initial preparation...99 Fact gathering and background development...99 Direction setting workshop...100 Strategy development...101 Implementation planning...102 Adoption and formal roll-out...102 Index...105

About the Author :
John Sterling is a founding partner of Sterling Strategies, LLC. Prior to founding Sterling Strategies, John was a founding partner at Smock; Sterling Strategic Management Consultants. He has over 25 years of experience in strategic management and market research. John has worked extensively with law and other professional service firms, as well as with industrial and consumer product companies and not-for-profit organisations. His work with TimeLine Theatre Company in Chicago won the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award for excellence in strategic planning from the Association for Strategic Planning. John is president of the Strategic Management Association in Chicago and is a contributing editor to the business journal Strategy & Leadership.

Review :
BOOK REVIEW STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR LAW FIRMS: A PRACTICAL ROADMAP By John Sterling Ark Group ISBN: 978 1 908640 19 2 www.ark-group.com RUNNING OR MANAGING A LAW PRACTICE? THIS 'ROADMAP' HELPS YOU PLAN A BETTER ROUTE TO CONSISTENT PROFIT AND GROWTH An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers One of the latest publications from the estimable Ark Group, 'Strategic Planning for Law Firms: a Practical Roadmap' gives you access to the kind of top-flight management consultancy and advice you need to position and grow your law practice, or firm as a profitable business. In our view it should emerge as a must-have purchase for anyone involved in the operation of a legal practice. It will certainly be of special interest to law firms whose senior partners and/or practice managers are all too aware that law, as well as being a learned profession, is also a business, with in-built business concerns and objectives involving, for example, client service, competitiveness, profit and growth. The book is obviously targeted to law firms in North America, but all the more interesting for that. It's always valuable to gain access to insights on strategic business practice gleaned from one's transatlantic peers and contemporaries -- especially in today's competitive global markets. In format and content, not to mention philosophical orientation, the book could be referred to as (and is) a management report, although it's more than that. Neither a 'manual' nor a 'practical guide', it's instead called a 'roadmap' -- which it more or less, is. It functions as a sort of ordnance survey of strategic management advice designed to guide you through those specific business territories through which law firms must typically navigate, while alerting you to possible wrong-turnings and obstacles that may confound and confuse you along the way. The topics it covers are too extensive and numerous to list here in their entirety, but they do include, for example, the elements of a well constructed strategic plan - the strategies and resources needed to achieve it - the means of developing such strategies - and the practical means by which they may be put into action on a day-to-day basis. The book's four-part structure includes a review of management tools and principles that drive winning strategies, together with a discussion of the strategic issues that face law firms, including people issues, knowledge management and financial management. And, as example is often the best form of instruction, there are some rather fascinating case studies that demonstrate by illustration and anecdote how the strategic planning process actually works. Author John Sterling, an expert in strategic planning, assures us that the principles and practices described are applicable equally to large, mid-size and boutique law firms, Within the UK context, we would also add that the book is a useful source of consultancy for firms of solicitors with international links and directly adaptable to the needs and aspirations of sets of chambers. Indeed, with business having gone global, this 'roadmap' would be useful for just about any law firm anywhere, particularly firms specializing in commercial law. Whether or not you have sought out the services of a management consultant, this book will familiarize you with the systems, methods and processes of strategic business planning, which can only help you enhance the reputation and profitability of your firm.


Best Sellers


Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781908640192
  • Publisher: Globe Law and Business Ltd
  • Publisher Imprint: Ark Group
  • No of Pages: 105
  • ISBN-10: 1908640197
  • Publisher Date: 29 Feb 2012
  • Binding: Paperback


Similar Products

Add Photo
Add Photo

Customer Reviews

REVIEWS      0     
Click Here To Be The First to Review this Product
Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap
Globe Law and Business Ltd -
Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap
Writing guidlines
We want to publish your review, so please:
  • keep your review on the product. Review's that defame author's character will be rejected.
  • Keep your review focused on the product.
  • Avoid writing about customer service. contact us instead if you have issue requiring immediate attention.
  • Refrain from mentioning competitors or the specific price you paid for the product.
  • Do not include any personally identifiable information, such as full names.

Strategic Planning for Law Firms: A Practical Roadmap

Required fields are marked with *

Review Title*
Review
    Add Photo Add up to 6 photos
    Would you recommend this product to a friend?
    Tag this Book Read more
    Does your review contain spoilers?
    What type of reader best describes you?
    I agree to the terms & conditions
    You may receive emails regarding this submission. Any emails will include the ability to opt-out of future communications.

    CUSTOMER RATINGS AND REVIEWS AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TERMS OF USE

    These Terms of Use govern your conduct associated with the Customer Ratings and Reviews and/or Questions and Answers service offered by Bookswagon (the "CRR Service").


    By submitting any content to Bookswagon, you guarantee that:
    • You are the sole author and owner of the intellectual property rights in the content;
    • All "moral rights" that you may have in such content have been voluntarily waived by you;
    • All content that you post is accurate;
    • You are at least 13 years old;
    • Use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity.
    You further agree that you may not submit any content:
    • That is known by you to be false, inaccurate or misleading;
    • That infringes any third party's copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary rights or rights of publicity or privacy;
    • That violates any law, statute, ordinance or regulation (including, but not limited to, those governing, consumer protection, unfair competition, anti-discrimination or false advertising);
    • That is, or may reasonably be considered to be, defamatory, libelous, hateful, racially or religiously biased or offensive, unlawfully threatening or unlawfully harassing to any individual, partnership or corporation;
    • For which you were compensated or granted any consideration by any unapproved third party;
    • That includes any information that references other websites, addresses, email addresses, contact information or phone numbers;
    • That contains any computer viruses, worms or other potentially damaging computer programs or files.
    You agree to indemnify and hold Bookswagon (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, employees and third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.), harmless from all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of a breach of your representations and warranties set forth above, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.


    For any content that you submit, you grant Bookswagon a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable right and license to use, copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from and/or sell, transfer, and/or distribute such content and/or incorporate such content into any form, medium or technology throughout the world without compensation to you. Additionally,  Bookswagon may transfer or share any personal information that you submit with its third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc. in accordance with  Privacy Policy


    All content that you submit may be used at Bookswagon's sole discretion. Bookswagon reserves the right to change, condense, withhold publication, remove or delete any content on Bookswagon's website that Bookswagon deems, in its sole discretion, to violate the content guidelines or any other provision of these Terms of Use.  Bookswagon does not guarantee that you will have any recourse through Bookswagon to edit or delete any content you have submitted. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days. However, Bookswagon reserves the right to remove or to refuse to post any submission to the extent authorized by law. You acknowledge that you, not Bookswagon, are responsible for the contents of your submission. None of the content that you submit shall be subject to any obligation of confidence on the part of Bookswagon, its agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners or third party service providers (including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.)and their respective directors, officers and employees.

    Accept

    Fresh on the Shelf


    Inspired by your browsing history


    Your review has been submitted!

    You've already reviewed this product!
    Your IP: 216.73.217.75 IN