What sets savvy law firms apart from the competition?
1) Branding and name recognition
2) The caliber, skills and image of the firm’s attorneys
3) Quality, integrity and superior client service
Reputations, relationships and business development are built on perceptions, hence the need for proactive and continual management of image, branding, soft skills and personal marketing tactics.
We believe every attorney is an ambassador for his or her firm. That means s/he must be a consummate networker, compelling public speaker and expert in the arts of social capital and business etiquette. That’s where we come in.
Having observed hundreds of attorneys in the courtroom and practice settings, our informal research indicates that approximately 77% of attorneys are performing under par in at least one of the following areas: professional image, communication and presentation skills, interpersonal relations, work-life balance, self-care, personal branding and self-promotion. That’s extremely significant when considering the bottom line.
We know you are serious about your firm’s growth and continued success. Likewise, we’re focused on delivering the kinds of sophisticated services that get results for our clients. The Davenport Institute provides an innovative professional development process specifically for the legal community. We understand the complex and high-level needs of attorneys and law firms - from solo practitioners to global firms.
According to jrank.org, “In the last twenty-five years, the public’s opinion of lawyers has turned sharply negative.”1 Current statistics reflect a real and serious perceptual management issue in the legal community. Our goal is to create positive public perceptions through proactive image-building strategies.
Whether in the courtroom, client meetings, networking events or community functions, an attorney’s appearance, poise, communication skills and overall presentation are absolutely essential for success. First impressions can either stimulate – or extinguish – trust in a client’s legal counsel. Compelling communication in the courtroom, coupled with persuasive nonverbal body language and appropriate attire, can have a significant impact on both the judge and the jury.
Image development is actually a complex social science consisting of:
• Personal appearance (exterior image)
• Personality, mannerisms and poise
• Communication and relationship skills
• Personal leadership, character and well-being
• Manners, etiquette and protocol
We are image experts who possess exceptional knowledge about perceptual issues, from the simple to the most complex. As social scientists, we approach image from botht an intellectual and practical perspective. We additionally provide image consulting for clients and witnesses in need of image and perceptual management strategy.
1. http://law.jrank.org/pages/18751/Lawyers-Popular-Perceptions.html
As members of the legal community, you know that the competition is plentiful – and aggressive. For these reasons, we believe that differentiation is paramount to success in today’s tenuous economic times.
Case Study
Our client, a senior associate at a large metropolitan law firm, was being pressured by senior partners to cultivate new business and increase his billable hours. He was feeling overwhelmed because of what he believed was the generic and saturated state of his practice specialty (small business law).
As we engaged in exploratory branding sessions, we discovered that this bright and articulate attorney was a seasoned culinary expert with a passion for the business. We recommended that he develop a sub-specialty in the food industry and pursue restaurant companies, food distributors, farms, organic grocers, culinary schools, retailers and sustainable food organizations throughout the region. We researched and booked speaking opportunities for our client, directed him to appropriate professional and networking organizations and positioned him as a trusted legal resource in the culinary iand sustainable foods industries.
Our recommendations resulted in him being promoted to partner and the creation of a small department devoted solely to serving the legal needs of the culinary industry. Our client is no longer feeling pressured to fulfill his business development responsibilities; the business is finding him.
The case study above is just one example of how creative differentiation, branding and marketing can impact an attorney’s practice – and the bottom line of the entire firm. If your attorneys are practicing “generic” law, they are doing so along with thousands of other competitors.
Every lawyer brings something distinctive to the table. We identify our clients’ unique value proposition, create the brand and implement strategic marketing and image tactics for maximum impact.
The demands of a legal career can take a toll on wellness, self-care and work-life balance. Absenteeism, increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity are just some of the costly consequences that law firms suffer when employees experience diminished well-being.
Of course, personal responsibility for one’s own health and wellness is expected. But quite often, time constraints and work demands make it difficult for employees to focus on self-care and rejuvenation – two essential components required for peak productivity.
Consider the negative effects of inadequate sleep, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, stress, time management challenges, personal and family issues, and poor lifestyle choices. Given that virtually all of your team members will experience at least one of these issues at some point, it’s easy to see why wellness programs are becoming an integral component of the law firm culture.
The Davenport Institute provides the full spectrum of wellness education and coaching, including:
• Certified Wellness Consulting
• Certified Obesity Management Consulting
• Certified Fitness Training
• Health and Wellness Coaching
• Seminars, workshops and specialized classes
Our firm is a member of the American College of Wellness, National Institute of Wellness and the International Sport Sciences Association.
From our Legal Lyceum(TM) seminars and colloquia to one-on-one attorney coaching, our team delivers results in the key organizational areas of image management, career development and wellness.
Working with The Davenport Institute, your attorneys will:
Engaging in a professional relationship with The Davenport Institute is a smart business strategy. Your attorneys will appreciate the expert coaching, mentoring, education and career-building support that is available only through our comprehensive scope of practice.
We deliver measurable results. We invite you to contact our firm to discuss your objectives and to schedule a no-cost exploratory consultation.
