Articles and Publications

Books and research papers:

Targeting Profitability: Strategies to Improve Law Firm Performance

This ARK Group report examines ways in which law firms can improve their profitability and performance. Phil contributed a chapter on ‘Earning more means learning more’, which examines four main ways law firm can profit from learning:

• Re-equipping people (not just lawyers) for new roles
• Using new approaches for more effective learning and to reduce training costs
• Improving the retention and motivation of your people
• Offering training as an added value service for your clients

Learning and Development in Law Firms – a practical guide

(ARK Group, in association with Managing Partner, 2010)

This research report provides an in-depth look into successful L&D strategies in the current legal market. It examines what works in different types and sizes of firm and provides vital guidance on how to select and implement the right approach for your own firm. It includes detailed case studies of seven law firms.

360 degree feedback: a briefing (2011)

(Co-authored with Peter Scott)

This briefing paper looks at how firms can successfully introduce 360 degree feedback, which is increasingly being used as a powerful catalyst for changing behaviours and raising performance. The briefing paper shows how different types of firms can use this technique to meet their business needs, explains the process of introducing it, and highlights some of the pitfalls to avoid.

The briefing paper can be downloaded here.

Managing People in a Legal Business

(Law Society Publishing 2011)

Phil has co-authored a chapter in this book edited by leading employment lawyer Jill Andrew. The chapter on Managing People to Drive Business Results looks at the crucial interplay between clients and people in a law firm and intrduces a methodology for performance management. With the permission of Law Society Publishing, the chapter can be downloaded free here.

10 Ways to help Your People Win Business (2011)

For many firms, business development is the number one priority in the current climate, and it is very much a people issue. This report provides practical tips and quick wins to help partners and professionals win more business. There are two versions of the report:

10 Ways to Help Your Partners and Lawyers Win Business

10 Ways to Help Accountants and Business Advisers Win Business

The Law Society’s Practice Management Handbook

(2nd Edition, June 2009)

Phil’s chapter on Managing People in a Law Firm deals with attracting and selecting the right people, training and development, performance management and leadership.

See a review of the book on YouTube.

Managing Talent in Professional Service Firms

Peopleism, March 2006

This White Paper highlights some of the shortcomings of traditional career models in professional service firms, and introduces a more sophisticated approach to clarifying professional roles and career progression.

Articles:

Masterclass: A Virtuous Circle

Managing Partner Magazine, January 2010

(Co-authored with Peter Scott)

Why is performance moving to the top of the agenda?

All-round feedback in a firm can deliver higher performance

Co-authored with Peter Scott and with  the Law Society Gazette, September 2009

An in-depth look at improving appraisals by including 360 degree appraisals. Includes contributions from two of Phil’s law firm clients.

Learning 2.0

Legal Education and Training Group, Summer 2009

Explores how web 2.0 technology (including blogs, podcasts, web video, RSS feeds, wikis, social networks and virtual worlds) coupled with new thinking, can both lower costs and improve learning effectiveness.

The Chargeable Hour – A Thing of the Past

RSM Bentley Jennison Briefing, June 2009

Written with Clare Copeman, Sector Lead Professional Practices

Looks at the move away from time-based billings and explores alternatives in pricing professional services.

Managing People Through Difficult Times

Legal Strategy Review, Winter 2009

Discusses ways in which the challenging decisions firms face can be handled to minimise the damaging impact on staff who remain, particularly the crucial importance of keeping staff informed and involved.

Facing the Fear of Feedback

Written by Phil’s client Simon Wilks, Managing Partner of accountancy firm Hays Macintyre.

Describes the expereince of working with Phil to introduce a new partner appraisal process, including 360 degree feedback.

It’s time to be flexible

Legal Strategy Review, Autumn 2008

Phil examines the business case for offering a more sophisticated and flexible approach to employment.

Four Management Rules for Tough Economic Times

Law Society Gazette, October 2008

Introduces a four-point strategy to get the most out of their resources; partner performance, delivering business development, building loyal teams and making good use of downtime.

Talent Development – How Law Firms can Build for the Future

Legal Hub, November 2007

Explores how law firms can build for the future by developing people, particularly looking at partner development programmes.

Farming Talent

Legal Hub, November 2007

Phil and Peter Scott explain that whilst people development is an effective tool in increasing a firm’s productivity, it is not about spending more money on developing staff, but about chanelling funds more thoughtfully.

Climbing the Career Ladder

The Law Society Gazette, June 2006

In this article Phil calls for a more sophisticated approach to career development and talent management as a way of overcoming high staff turnover and spiralling remuneration packages.

Cause of Death: The Mismanagement of Talent

Professional Marketing, June 2006

An opinion piece on why so many good marketing ideas can fail because the wrong people are allocated to the wrong roles, and how to overcome the problem.

Rising Stars

Accountancy SA, June 2006

This article summarise Phil’s White Paper on talent management in professional service firms.

Harnessing Your Talent

Accountancy Age, August 2006

In this article Phil discusses the need to put nuturing and developing talented professionals at the top of the agenda.

How to be a Rising Star

Solicitors Journal, October 2006

Phil highlights how changes in the structure of the professions mean that the old career progression models will no longer be valid for tomorrow’s lawyers.

Successful Training to Achieve Professional Success

Legal Hub, November 2007

A critical look at training in professional service firms, identifying the need to re-think training to focus on helping people equip themselves for a new approach to ‘success’.

Explores how law firms can build for the future by developing people, particularly looking at partner development programmes.