The 80/20 Principle - podcast cover

The 80/20 Principle

Ernie Svensonernietheattorney.net
Concrete advice on how to simplify technology to streamline work and gain more freedom. Running a law practice today means navigating a sea of tech options. Success with tech demands you focus on a few key tools in six areas: (1) automation, (2) outsourcing, (3) marketing, (4) cybersecurity, (5) remote work, and (6) artificial intelligence. That's what this podcast will help you with: strategically focusing on a few key tech options and explaining why they matter and how to get the most from using them.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 10 - Delegation

The only tasks you should do in your practice are (1) things that require a law license to do, and (2) things you enjoy doing. Everything else should be delegated. Finding good people to delegate work to is easier because of the Internet, and the availability of outsourcing. But finding qualified assistance is still hard because you have to properly vet candidates. It's better to work with VA companies that are adept at pairing you up with people that are qualified AND compatible with your work ...

Aug 21, 201810 minEp. 10

Episode 9 - Automation

Automation is the key to exponential efficiency, but you need to approach it systematically. Simple automation is easy to set up and fine-tune. But complex automation will require the help of a trustworthy consultant. Document creation is the most useful area for lawyers to automate, but there are other areas ripe for automation as well: scheduling, client-intake, initial client communications, and online marketing are all good examples. General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce fricti...

Aug 14, 20187 minEp. 9

Episode 8: Use Systems To Make Your Practice Run Smoothly

Systems are the key to a smooth-running law practice. You need to develop systems with ruthless discipline , and you'll find it's well worth the effort. Your work (and the work of others in your firm) will be better and more consistent. And you'll be able to delegate work more easily —even to people who aren't exceptionally skilled. Read the book E-Myth Revisited , by Michael Gerber, to learn more about why system are so powerful. Also, check out attorney John Fisher's book The Power of a System...

Aug 07, 20186 minEp. 8

Episode 7: Direct Response Marketing

Building trust with people that have never met you (or who barely know you) is excruciatingly difficult. But it can be done using a time-tested method called Direct Response Marketing. Most lawyers have never heard of DRM, and some have heard of it but reflexively dismissed it without bothering to find out why it's so effective. Plus It's not expensive to do. But best of all? Direct response marketing can be automated . Also important: direct response is data-driven , based on conversion to sale...

Jul 31, 20189 minEp. 7

Episode 6: Referral Marketing is the Most Powerful Kind

Referral marketing is the most powerful kind of marketing. Some people call it "networking," or "word-of-mouth" marketing. The reason it's powerful is that it works with the trust you've already cultivated . Even though it works well without much effort, it will work much better if you do it strategically. That means using basic psychology. People need to be reminded of what kind of work you do, and what kind of clients you most want to serve. And they need to be reminded regularly through messa...

Jul 24, 20189 minEp. 6

Episode 5: How to Market Your Practice (Basic Principles of Trust-Building)

If you want to attract a steady stream of great clients you absolutely must understand how to establish trust and then build it up. Most lawyers do not understand this, which is why they fail in marketing their practices. Trust is not based on logic or reason. It’s based on emotion and empathy. There are deep-seated psychological principles you need to grasp in order to build trust effectively, and tastefully. But the good news is, the principles are easy to grasp. And this episode will explain ...

Jul 17, 201812 minEp. 5

Episode 4: Finding Top-Notch Consultants

To build a successful practice you’ll need outside guidance from consultants who can you help you with business strategy, technology and marketing. But finding the best people is challenging. In this episode, we break down the 5 qualities you should look for in every outside consultant that you hire. Marketing consultants are notoriously difficult to find, unless you are looking for opportunistic charlatans and well-meaning fools. Trustworthiness is the most important quality . But finding someo...

Jul 17, 201815 minEp. 4

Episode 3: Your Unique Vision of Success

Last episode we provided an overview of the Success Blueprint for creating a thriving law practice. Here we drill into the foundational aspects of creating that blueprint, one tailored to your unique goals. You need to envision as precisely as possible what kind of law practice you want to have. And you need to be realistic about the time frame it will take to achieve your ultimate goals. Nothing is more important than cultivating the right kind of mindset. Even with the best plan, and clearest ...

Jul 17, 201815 minEp. 3

Episode 2: Your Law Firm “Success Plan”

The key to creating a successful law practice is having a clear plan. Creating that plan is crucial, and yet too many lawyers don’t take the time to do it. There are three pillars to a Law Firm Success Plan. But you have to fill in the gaps, which starts with you envisioning what “success” means to you. How many hours do you want to work per week? Do you want to have a traditional office, with employees? Or do you want something different? You can create any kind of law practice you want, but yo...

Jul 17, 201810 minEp. 2

Episode 1: Building Your Dream Practice

Too many lawyers struggle with the business side of their practices. And that’s without considering the ever-increasing dependence on technology. As you probably realize, many lawyers find technology frustrating and counter-productive. But, if you approach it sensibly, technology will make your practice much more profitable and easier to manage . Best of all? You don’t need to be a tech-wizard to harness its power. Anyone can use technology to radically improve their law practice —even so-called...

Jun 19, 201810 minEp. 1
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android