Post by Gustavo Rocha, lawyer and consultant in management, IT and quality for law firms. He’s the author of Gestão.Adv.br (content in Portuguese only):

I’d like to share with you all a situation that I was in recently, not just because it is hilarious, as well as a good example of planning (or the lack of it):

Every time I have to visit a certain client of mine, I park my car in a parking lot near by and there it stays for the entire day, every week.

One of these weeks, after leaving the client, I got to the parking lot at 5.40 PM and found no one there. The reception booth was empty. I clapped (the parking lot is next to its owner’s home), honked a few times, waited for nearly 30 minutes and still nobody showed up. I drove away without paying for the parking.

The following week I arrived at that parking lot around 9 AM and nobody was there, again. Open but no one at the reception booth.

When I got back at 11.30 AM the parking owner was there. After having paid for the previous week worth of parking, I asked him how come no one was there.

His answer: ” You see, the reception worker is away on vacation and since there’s no replacement I myself open and close the parking, though during the day only the security cameras control the cars in and out. Many of those I don’t collect the parking fees ’cause I can’t control it.”

Moral of the story: not planning ahead can change the way a company is viewed overnight (I never had any complaint regarding the parking lot up until then).

How often does this happen in companies? Not planning ahead employees vacations, just ‘fixing things’ along with someone unfit for the job.

It is paramount that companies understand every employee’s function, so that substitutions can be adequate and companies do not loose identity.

A client that quits you service for it being a bad one, won’t be back and will bring along and spread that stain on your company’s image.

Make planning a part of your company’s DNA. Now and always.

Post by Gustavo Rocha, lawyer and consultant in management, IT and quality for law firms. He’s the author of Gestão.Adv.br (content in Portuguese only):

What is your plan B? Usually we call Plan B to an alternative plan other than the main plan, a back up plan.

What’s your plan A? Searching for alternatives in your market share, rekindling contacts with clients, newer products, and so on, all are part of your present strategy and how you approach the market.

And what’s your plan B? None? No alternative?

Not that we are saying your plan B should be a different businness altogether. Not at all. A plan B may not be used at the present, but may come in useful in the future.

For instance: A firm deals with physical individuals, i.e. consumers in colective suites. This is your plan A. The products range from Brasil Telecom shares to fawlty goods. Great; this firm has got a market, its goals are set and it thrives.

What would be its plan B? Sticking to the same businness core (physical individuals), while broadening the product base (to areas such as labour, social security, family) marketing these new offers and by gathering new clients.

Having a plan B doesn´t mean to give up plan A.

A plan B means that you can get more from your practice.

A plan B means to take a chance on new markets.

A plan B means to be aware of market nuances.

Prepare to glimpse an opportunity in all that you do. Be it a chat with a friend, an hearing or a partnership.

That’s where opportunities are. If they don´t interest you, pass them onto whom they might. Become a business reference rather than a mere lawyer (thus adding value to your profession).

The world of business, more than just a lawyer, demands a professional widely connected to  most walks of life and market, not single minded but with broadened knowledge.

What’s your plan B? Share it with us.

Post by Gustavo Rocha, lawyer and consultant in management, IT and quality for law firms. He’s the author of Gestão.Adv.br (content in Portuguese only):

“Direction is more important than speed “(Roberto Scaringella)

This also recalls for Seneca’s words:“If you don’t know where you are heading to, no wind will favour you”

More and more teams are focused on achieving goals, results and growing, growing and growing. But, to what purpose? A financial one?

Yeah, why feel surprised? Finance is not a purpose. Purposes are tangible plans or dreams yet to be fulfilled. It won’t be speed that will make them happen.

No direction means you don´t know where you are going to.

If you have no direction, any planning will be no help at all.

Use speed only when you know where to go.

Speed up only with a plan.

Speed when you get the big picture.

Setting a fast pace to your team but no direction, will keep a yearn to succeed that is not possible to know if it can be attained.

Reach your goals by planning. Keep the speed within your planning. Just running is for those with no plan.

Exercise planning your goals day by day, whether they are short, medium or long term ones. Update your goals. Write them down.

To conclude, make your planning the speedometer for your practice.