December 2008 NATIONAL NEWSLETTER

We hope that you find the following four articles of interest.  Merry Christmas to one and all - we look forward to assisting you in 2009.

Summit '08 Audio Files

Did you miss the ALPMA ' 08 Summit? Or just want the opportuntiy to reFresh many of the concepts that were explored? A selection of sessions were recorded and are now available to purchase. The audio recording of Alan Weiss, Summit '08s opening presenter, can be downloaded for free from the ALPMA Member Audio Library on Thursday 17 December.  The Summit '08 Audio Files include:

reVEALING Best Practices, What Really Good Firms are Doing well - Presented by John Chisholm, John Chisholm Consulting

reDEFINE the Client - David Schloeffel, Cubic Innovations

reDUCE - Low Carbon Culture - Andrew Lamble, Zerofootprint

reWORK - Opportunities Law Firms have to Add Value through their Practice Management System - Peter Ross, Report Factory

reCOURSE - Creating Cultural Change - Cindy Carpenter, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

reCREATE - Thinking Outside of the Box - Jason Clarke, Minds at Work

reTHINK - Dealing with Difficult People - Dr Chris Day

The audio file and their PowerPoint presentations can be purchased by downloading the attached order form. 

Dealing with Difficult People in a Law Practice 

Dr Chris Day was a keynote speaker at the recent national conference of the Australian Legal Practice Management Association held in Sydney. Here is an abbreviated version of what she had to say.

 
Difficult people inhabit many a workplace, including law practices. We are all familiar with the office disharmony caused by bullies, underminers, complainers, sneaks, victims and narcissists. 

Melbourne IT’s Top tips to get more hits on your website!           

Written by David Frost, Melbourne IT

Marketing your website through search engines is a combination of  business savvy and IT expertise. While we recommend you leave all the messing about with website code to a search engine marketing professional like Melbourne IT, it helps to understand the general principles behind them. Remember these ten helpful tips and you will surprise a professional with how much you know.

Some reflections about practice management or why is my job so busy?

Written by Stephen Burke, Freelance Practice Management Consultant, and Administrator of QL Inc     

At the end of the year it can be refreshing or depressing to stop and think about a year in the life of a practice manager.

How has it gone, is it always so busy, why don’t I have time to stop and think etc.

This article provides a few ideas that may be of assistance in understanding the various forces that are at work in the everyday like of a practice manager and how they can have an impact of your working day.

Most Noise or Most Need?            

Written by Peter Ross, The Report Factory

Traditionally the noisier projects tend to win out

Experience in law firms tells us that we’re often dealing with noisy people. The source of that noise is not always the same, however it is common that the noise generates action and often capital expenditure. My question is simple. Is that appropriate ?

My counter proposal is at least semi-scientific method of deciding where ones limited capital expenditure funds should be directed, and / or a method of acid testing those noisier requests.

Kerrie Billings

ALPMA National Secretariat

T: 03 9432 0335

E: k.billings@alpm.com.au

W: www.alpma.com.au