“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who will argue with you.” (John Wooden, the most successful US basketball coach, ever)
LawCare outlined that stress was the most common problem with lawyers in the UK, which affects nearly 75% of callers, followed by depression (12%) and alcohol (6%). As I note within the article:-
There is a valuable role here for faculties and the Law Society of Scotland to supplement LawCare’s great work by establishing local panels of specialists able to provide rapid, skilled support.
Further, I believe there is a strong case for it to be compulsory for all firms to have a published policy on this issue, which positively encourages staff to seek help. Light is always the best antiseptic. The message must always be: “It could be you, there is no stigma, and we are here to catch you if you fall.
"Running a law firm is about service, skill and ethics, but it is also about winning – convincing clients to instruct you, not your competitors, because your proposition is the best for their needs..."
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” (Albert Einstein)
Every day, excellent proposals are rejected because they are expressed in florid language which is meant to impress but has the opposite effect.
The key is to have clear goals – beacons in the confusion which light the path ahead – and an uncomplicated method of sticking to them. This month, I suggest you set one big business development target for the year...
"An incredibly wise counsel, and a constant voice of reason."
“Stephen's contribution to our successful, confident business, was indispensable and permanent.”
“Stephen is unique. In legal practice he achieved amazing things. We have gained real and lasting benefit from working with him.”
“His straightforward and fearless approach, make him the perfect role model, while at the same time his friendly personality provides an accessibility often lacking from other business 'gurus' ".
“He has helped to steer us through tricky waters with warmth and wit and always been available with wise counsel, advice and solutions. His knowledge of the UK legal profession has been a fantastic resource for us.”
"Stephen works closely with our senior leadership team. He has a unique insight into what drives successful lawyers and strategies alike. We really enjoy working with him."
"Stephen has been an absolutely indispensable help in the growth and management of our business."
"Stephen's ability to grasp the nuances of different legal markets, and the clients' different expectations within them, is second to none."
"Our ROI based on Stephen's experience and insight makes his consultancy one of the shrewdest decisions we have ever made."
"Stephen (we were partners at Golds) thinks in a different way to most in the legal profession. He is not afraid to get under the skin of issues and challenge entrenched practices. He knows how to change businesses for the better."
"Stephen is one of the few consultants who has done the hard work of personally building his own legal firm. When he coaches, his understanding of the challenges resonates with partners and has proved a real help to many careers."
I founded and for over 25 years led a multi-award-winning law firm. Today, I am a consultant and non-exec, acting as a trusted adviser to law firm leaders throughout the UK and internationally.
It's a very fair question. You can judge by the testimonials from senior lawyers above and in full here. Clients say they find I am knowledgeable, pragmatic, enjoyable to work with and deliver results.
I write and speak extensively - you can see all my articles here.
If you think we could be a fit, do call me on 0044 7968 484232, or email me at stephen@stephengold.co.uk. I am always delighted to talk confidentially, and completely without obligation.
I provide expert, practical guidance on: Leadership and Strategy, Making Rainmakers, Mergers and Acquisition, Tenders and Pitches, Coaching and Mentoring Key People.
Great rainmakers come in many shapes and sizes. There is no secret formula. Creating the right sales and marketing strategy, pricing well, communicating effectively and avoiding the bear traps are the vital skills, and they can all be acquired.
Successful strategy relies on two elements: the original conception and effective implementation. No two firms are the same, but the challenges are similar: Where do we play? How do we win?
The greatest demands often have little to do with client work, but with creating the right strategies for the business and ourselves, making successful relationships with colleagues, managing conflict, dealing with personal stress and managing the balance between our business and personal lives.
Tendering and pitching are both art and science. The nuts and bolts of the proposition need to be right: people, price, sector experience, location, structural and financial robustness, and so on.
The decision to merge or be taken over is usually life-changing and rarely easy. There are competing pressures. What are the strategic imperatives for both sides? Does the prospect of new markets and greater resources compensate for loss of control or the risk of a valued culture being submerged?
The imperative to be strategic applies as much to our personal lives as to our businesses. Read my final Word of Gold comment piece in The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland here and you can read all of my publications in The Journal via the Archive within this page.As I note within the article:- "This is the last Word of Gold. After almost nine years, I think the Society and its members deserve to hear a new voice. It’s been a fantastic privilege to have this platform, and though I think it’s the right time to exit, I will miss it. I’m sincerely thankful to the many people who have been so supportive of my meanderings. In particular, I want to express my deep gratitude to editor Peter Nicholson for all his support and friendship over the years, which I’ve appreciated probably more than he knows. He is an immensely accomplished professional, but more than that, a person of warmth, kindness and decency. The Journal is safe in his hands, and I wish both it and him, the highly successful future they both deserve."