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.
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Episodes

280: Update on Generative AI Chatbots & How Lawyers Can Use Them Safely

AI Chatbots powered by GPT-4 technology are improving rapidly so the opportunities are expanding for lawyers who want to leverage this to improve aspects of their practices. But which GPT4 chatbots are best? And what are the best opportunities for using them in your practice? That's what we'll cover in this episode. In this episode, you will hear: The emergence of generative AI chatbots and their implications for the legal industry Maximizing the features of advanced AI writing models The use of...

Apr 02, 202433 minEp. 280

279: LinkedIn Networking: How to "Work the Room"

LinkedIn is a goldmine for professional referrals. Think of it as a 24-hour networking event that runs 365 days a year. You can "attend" asynchronously and easily generate new referrals without spending a lot of time "working the room.” In this episode, you will hear: 24/7 receptionist and chatbot services Unlocking LinkedIn's potential Crafting effective taglines for lawyers Optimizing LinkedIn profile for SEO Leveraging linkedin for networking success Show Notes My LinkedIn page My LinkedIn po...

Mar 19, 202432 minEp. 279

278: How to Get More Out of Podcasts You Listen to (Snipd)

Podcasts are valuable troves of knowledge. And yet it's notoriously challenging to capture insights and take notes on things you want to remember. But now there's a magic solution that you'll definitely appreciate knowing about that you'll learn all about in this episode. In this episode, you will hear: Leveraging podcasts for professional growth Essential features for podcast listening Features and benefits of Snipd app Leveraging 80/20 Principle for success Show Notes Get a 30-day free trial o...

Mar 05, 202422 minEp. 278

277: Traction Business Coaching for Law Firms (w/ Kellam Parks)

In this episode, you'll learn how a Virginia lawyer found the best business coach to help his firm implement principles from the popular book “ Traction ” (by Gino Wickman). Listen as Kellam Parks shares the process he used to research and vet candidates, and why he says the decision to hire a coach was "transformative." He also explains exactly why the principles in Traction are so helpful in growing a modern law practice. In this episode, you will hear: The benefits of applying the business bo...

Feb 20, 202446 minEp. 277

276: Privacy vs Security: Top Tips to Avoid Hackers

Hackers repeatedly use the same common ploys to fool most people most easily. Avoid becoming a victim by learning about these ploys and by using a tech tool that too many people do not know about (or use if they do know). In this episode, you'll learn about six excellent recommendations the AARP believes can protect people online. And learn more about the one that's most beneficial for everyone who uses the Internet via computer, tablet device, or smartphone. In this episode, you will hear: Tech...

Feb 06, 202427 minEp. 276

275: Frictionless Scheduling (with Calendly, etc.)

Traditional ways of scheduling appointments have too much friction, so lawyers should now adopt automated scheduling technology like that offered by Calendly. When you use this type of tool, you'll be able to do more deep work without being bogged down with scheduling appointments or getting interrupted during peak work time. In this episode, you'll learn exactly why automated scheduling will help you save time and avoid frustration. And you'll learn how to optimize it for your practice. In this...

Jan 16, 202422 minEp. 275

274: The Year of Ninja Lawyering

The year 2024 is the year of Ninja Lawyering for solo and small firm lawyers who want frictionless efficiency, financial freedom, and flexibility to work less and enjoy life more. The key is leveraging technology strategically by focusing on a few key tools, the first of which we'll discuss in this episode. If you start using this tool, your practice will start to transform itself in mind-boggling ways. In this episode, you will hear: Introduction to Ninja Lawyering: Strategies for solo and smal...

Jan 02, 202430 minEp. 274

273: Digital Nomadism - Part 2 (with Megan Hargroder)

In Part 2 of our discussion of "Digital Nomadism," Megan Hargroder shares more insights on the art of living and working from anywhere. She highlights the use of platforms like Trusted House Sitters as an alternative to using AirBnb. And we also discuss safety tips while traveling abroad. Finally, we cover money management strategies, which are critical as well. Whether you're considering a full-blown leap into digital nomadism or just looking for tips on how to be more effective doing remote wo...

Dec 19, 202343 minEp. 273

272: Legal Malpractice Insurance Made Easy

In this episode, we delve into a detailed conversation with Rio Peterson from Alps Insurance. We explore the intricacies of malpractice insurance and discuss how solo and small law firms can protect themselves not just against malpractice, but also cyber attacks and employment claims. We also delve into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in law practice, shedding light on how it can help cut costs, increase efficiency, and enhance client services. Rio, who was previously wit...

Dec 05, 202353 minEp. 272

271: Automating Documents & Productizing Your Services (with Dorna Moini)

In the latest episode, attorney Dorna Moini explains how her product, Gavel, enables full intake and workflow automation. She also explains how lawyers can document their expertise and turn that into revenue-generating products. In this episode, you will hear about: The importance of automating repetitive tasks, which begins with recording and analyzing repeatable tasks. How innovative document automation has revolutionized traditional legal services. The concept of productizing legal services a...

Nov 21, 202347 minEp. 271

270: Build a Successful Law Firm and Run it While Living in Europe

This episode features an interview with a lawyer who went from helping build a multimillion-dollar firm to practicing law from coffee shops in Europe. Sheila Wilkinson helped build a highly successful law firm from scratch even before she went to law school. Crazy but true. And after law school, she created her own successful practice, which she still runs, often from coffee shops in the country of Brussels. Another focus for Sheila is providing what she calls "Socratic coaching" for lawyers. Sp...

Nov 07, 20231 hr 6 minEp. 270

269: Master of Tech, Deficient in Delegation (Interview with lawyer Brandon Siegal)

This episode is a deep dive into the law practice of solo attorney Brandon Siegal, a seasoned Canadian tax specialist who is comfortable using technology but finds delegation more challenging. The discussion was informed by answers he provided in taking my comprehensive Law Practice Assessment. We talked about software tools he uses, such as Clio, RingCentral, Microsoft Bookings, Email efficiency tools, ChatGPT, and Zapier. And by the way, he doesn't necessarily love everything he's using, and y...

Oct 24, 202358 minEp. 269

268: Modern Note-Taking for Lawyers with Obsidian

Digital note-taking for lawyers is no longer just about transcribing ideas—it's about weaving them together. Enter the world of "Personal Knowledge Management" (PKM), a realm where Evernote once reigned supreme but now faces more powerful contenders. Obsidian is the best note-taking app for lawyers who want a powerful, user-friendly tool that also happens to be completely free. With its interconnected system of notes, it offers unparalleled speed and efficiency. Want to learn more? Tune in as PK...

Oct 10, 202350 minEp. 268

267: Getting The Most out of Microsoft 365 - Part 2

This episode continues a discussion on how to get the most out of Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Whether you use a Mac or a PC, these tools help streamline the most common workflows in your law practice. I invited Ben Schorr to explain the ins and outs of 365 software. Ben works at Microsoft as a senior-level product manager for content, so he has major insight into how to get the most out of your Microsoft Office software. In this episode, Ben discusses the follo...

Sep 26, 202339 minEp. 267

266: Getting The Most out of Microsoft 365 - Part 1

This episode is about how to get the most out of Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Whether you use a Mac or a PC, these tools help streamline the most common workflows in your law practice. I invited Ben Schorr to explain the ins and outs of 365 software. Ben works at Microsoft as a senior-level product manager for content, so he has major insight into how to get the most out of your Microsoft Office software. In this episode, Ben discusses the following: Table of Co...

Sep 12, 202339 minEp. 266

265: Digital Nomadism for Lawyers (with Megan Hargroder)

Step into the extraordinary world of digital nomadism with my wanderlust-filled guest, Megan Hargroder. Megan, a seasoned digital nomad, has been living out of her suitcase and working from the picturesque locales of Europe for the past eight months. Join us for a riveting conversation that explores the exhilarating freedoms and intricate challenges that come hand-in-hand with her unique lifestyle. Navigating time zones, hiring international talent, managing remote work, and maintaining cyber se...

Aug 29, 202341 minEp. 265

264: The Legal Singularity - How A.I. will Improve Our Profession (with Ben Alarie)

Let's journey into the fascinating world of law and technology with our extraordinary guest, Ben Alarie. He's not just a law professor, but also an entrepreneur and author who has put his expertise in an excitingly accessible format through his AI product, Ask Blue J. This ingenious tool simplifies tax law navigation, transforming complex databases into question-answering platforms. We also shed light on the concept of the 'legal singularity', a term coined by Ben himself in his new book, signif...

Aug 15, 202349 minEp. 264

263: New Tech Effectiveness Assessment for Lawyers

In this episode, we revisit a persistent favorite topic - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). We understand there are many recurring issues that may concern you, but which ones are the most pressing? We are on a mission to resolve these sticking points. A common challenge for attorneys is determining the technology that could bring the most significant improvement to their practice. Given the unique needs of each attorney, the question is: How do you identify the ideal technology for your prac...

Aug 01, 202322 minEp. 263

262: Essential Tech Tools & Tips (with Adriana Linares)

What if you could revolutionize your legal practice with technology? This provocative question led to an enlightening chat with legal tech consultant, Adriana Linares, who shared insights on how transitioning to cloud-based services and leveraging tools like TextExpander and ChatGPT can significantly enhance productivity and writing skills. That's not all, folks. Join us as we share personal anecdotes about the transformative power of effective communication skills, honed through Toastmasters, a...

Jul 18, 202352 minEp. 262

261: Overture.law - An Innovative New Way of Getting & Making Referrals

Imagine a world where getting quality referrals is not just possible, but easy and ethical too. That's the pioneering world Arya Firoozmand, co-founder of Overture Law, is building. In this enlightening conversation, Arya takes me through his journey into law practice and how he and his partners invented Overture Law, an innovative platform that fills a service gap by linking attorneys and clients in the insurance-bad-faith sector. But Overture Law is more than just a linking platform. It's a co...

Jul 04, 202343 minEp. 261

260: Technology vs. Natural Growth

Discover the secret to unlocking human growth and genuine connections in our increasingly digital world. This episode promises to reveal the power of face-to-face interaction and why it's crucial for personal and professional success. Let me take you on a journey through our experience with Laurel Street Music in New Orleans, where an inspiring story of community events and real-world connection unfolded during the pandemic. Learn how the simple act of getting to know your neighbors can lead to ...

Jun 20, 202320 minEp. 260

259: A Celebrity Actor Shares Law Practice Insights (Surprise Guest)

Ever wondered how the 80-20 principle applies to a Hollywood actor's life and career? I have an exclusive chat with the legendary Tom Hanks, shedding light on the topic and sharing his personal experiences! But there's more than meets the ear – my friend and computer forensics expert Craig Ball joins me to reveal the cutting-edge AI technology from ElevenLabs that made our "interview" with Tom Hanks possible. We dive into the potential dangers of AI-generated deep fakes, the importance of verify...

Jun 06, 202327 minSeason 1Ep. 259

258: Streamlining Operations using Agile Methodology (John Grant)

Are you ready to revolutionize your law firm's operations and witness a substantial boost in productivity and profitability? Join me for an enlightening conversation with John Grant, a renowned lawyer and consultant who has mastered the art of streamlining law practices for maximum success. Together, we explore the Kanban method for visualizing workflows, the concept of Kaizen for continuous incremental improvement, and practical strategies for optimizing law firm operations. In our discussion, ...

May 30, 202348 minSeason 1Ep. 258

257: Using Airtable Databases to Help Run a Small Law Firm (Jess Birken)

In this podcast episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jess Birken, a small firm law owner who specializes in helping nonprofits. As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a tech-savvy approach, Jess shared her insights on how technology has revolutionized her practice and how others can optimize their own businesses. One of the key topics we discussed was the use of Airtable, a cloud-based relational database, in Jess's law practice. She explained how she initially began using Airtabl...

May 23, 202336 minSeason 1Ep. 257

256: Get Staffed Up with Remote Workers in Latin America (Guest: Brett Trembly)

In this episode, Brett Trembly, a business lawyer and founder of Get Staffed Up, shares how his company helps law firm owners hire talented virtual assistants from Latin America. He discusses his new book, which sets forth a 24-month game plan for hiring seven specific positions. He also explains the best practices for working with virtual assistants, including repeatable tasks, daily check-ins, and quarterly conversations. Tune in to learn about the nuts and bolts of building a remote workforce...

May 16, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 256

255: A Practicing Lawyer's Perspective on ChatGPT (Enrico Schaefer)

Discover the transformative power of ChatGPT technology in the legal industry as Ernie sits down with Enrico Schaefer, an attorney with over thirty years of experience in technology and IP law. Learn how Enrico leverages AI tools and third-party applications to revolutionize his practice, streamline communication, and optimize his workflow. Join Ernie as he explores Enrico's journey into the world of ChatGPT, discussing practical applications like analyzing PDFs, summarizing documents, and conne...

May 09, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 255

254: Gumbo, ChatGPT & Systems (with Matt Granda)

In this episode I briefly discuss gumbo, ChatGPT and a new development in my Systems program. You'll also hear from Matt Granda, the managing partner in a P.I. law firm who is serious about systematizing and improving his firm's operations. Show Notes Matt Granda's LinkedIn page Claggett & Sykes website (Matt's law firm) Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email...

May 02, 202340 minSeason 1Ep. 254

253: Hiring & Working with Overseas VAs (with Joey Vitale)

Joey Vitale practices trademark law in Chicago and got so busy he needed to hire overseas VAs from the Philippines. Then he started teaching other lawyers the benefits and methods of working with overseas VAs. Learn the best ways of hiring and working with remote VAs in law practice. And discover the "Holy Grail" metric for uncommon law firm success. Show Notes GlobalVettedVAs.com (Joey's Skybreaker website for helping folks find VAs) Clickup (project management software Joey uses and recommends...

Apr 25, 202349 minSeason 1Ep. 253

252: Building Accountability Charts & Tracking Portals (with Melissa Shanahan)

Business coach Melissa Shanahan discusses how she helped a small group of law firm owners build a dashboard for tracking key metrics in their practices (i.e., a "tracking portal"). She also showed them how to define the various roles for work done in the firm (now or in the future) through an "accountability chart." Show Notes Velocity Work (Melissa's website) Law Firm Owner (Melissa's podcast) Mastery Group (Melissa's coaching program for law firm owners) General Resources The 80/20 Principle (...

Apr 18, 202332 minSeason 1Ep. 252

251: The Future of Lawyer Work is Here

The legal profession is changing rapidly, and lawyers must adapt quickly. Discover the best way to work and thrive in the modern world. (hint: trial & error is the worst way). Show Notes Click to download the list of Best Systems & Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to Substack newsletter: The 80/20 Principle General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Thanks to Our Sponsors "...

Apr 11, 202327 minSeason 1Ep. 251
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