This month is my birthday.  On the 13th of September I turned 43.  Birthdays are an amazing time to celebrate a new year.  I always ask myself, "Where was I in life and business 1 year ago?  Where do I want my life to be in 1 more year?"

Looking back this year, I know that I am where I am on 9/13/14 because of my past choices.  For every success, every near success, and every precursor to your next success, there was a moment when you had to decide to act...or not to act.  That is the moment when you either take control and make that first step towards accomplishing your goal or put it off for another day, another week, month or year.  I have had many of these moments during the past years.  My birthday is the perfect time to look back and remember that in those moments I could have chosen inaction.  If I had, my life would be different today.  Instead of having a multimillion-dollar firm and the excitement of moving into a new home, I could still be waiting for the next time opportunity might knock on my door.

I can only say I am grateful I jumped when opportunity knocked, and that every year on my birthday I renew my dedication to being ready for those fleeting moments of opportunity.  They can come and go so quickly.  You have to be ready when you have the chance.

Actual Coral Gables House

We have moved into a beautiful, new house in Coral Gables on 9/1/14.  We are doubly excited because we have set aside an entire wing to be our new business headquarters. 

Years ago, we moved from a home office to a more traditional office location, but our extensive number of telecommuting employees throughout the nation, and my seemingly never-ending travel made it clear we were ready for another change.  To accommodate the specific needs of our growing firm, we decided to get an extra big house and move the local staff into their very own wing.  They are just as excited as we are about the new location.

As we plan the move into our new office wing, I cannot help but remember the effect that space planning can have on maximizing efficiency and productivity in the office.  There are many tips and hints out there to guide you in designing and decorating your own office space, but I have found one simple method that seems to work for any office space.  The easiest way to determine your own office's space planning needs is to pretend that you are a file.

It is simple.  Trace your route (as a file) through the office.  Many firms lose $1,000's per month because each and every file has to crisscross the office in order for anything to get done.  Plan your office's layout so that files flow smoothly.  Consider the common garden hose.  If it is kinked or has a lot of turns, more pressure is required to move water from one end to the other.  Straightening the hose means the water can run through freely without added pressure.  The same is true of a file.  "Unkinked" paths (or straight lines) maximize efficiency and allow everyone to get more accomplished.

In addition to considering the path of office files, you should also remember that everyone works better and more efficiently when they are approached from the front or the side.  Keep that in mind when considering each employee's workspace so that no one ends up being approached from behind.

Maximizing productivity and efficiency in the workplace is a major concern for every firm.  Start at the beginning, your office's general layout, in order to guarantee the greatest chances for your own success.

One of the highlights of August was receiving an email from Member, Scott Ashby, a Family Law attorney from Washington State:

"I started my firm just over two years ago.  I had clients from other firms when I started, but I was stuck at about $29,000/month.  I had one large business litigation that brought in about $19,000 per month, with the other $10,000 consisting of whatever came in the door.  I was struggling, and I was constantly worried about the one big client/big litigation.  In September 2013, I settled the BIG CASE.  Great for the client, but bad for me.  In October 2013, I joined HTMASLF [HowtoMANAGEaSmallLawFirm.com].  I panicked at the $1,250 monthly fee.  But I joined anyway out of a sense of desperation. How times have changed.

Revenue:
October 2013  $25,553 (of which about $19,000 was the last BIG CASE bill)

3 Months Later:
January 2014  $49,363 (and I did participate in the 2 day business plan
workshop in January--which was key)

6 Months Later:
July 2014  $105,572

I am in my office this morning looking at my great view and wondering where I will be in 12 months. Doubled again? Back to the business plans!

And again, thanks to...EVERYONE at HTMASLF.  I would be struggling at $20k per month and wishing I had gone to medical school without this program.  Ha!

-Scott Ashby"

Renee

We are also still taking nominations for local bar associations for the National CLE Tour.  If you would like to nominate your bar association for the National CLE Tour please see the website.  Then send an email to Renee Robertson and let her know you would like to submit a nomination.  She will respond with all the details.  Remember, if your bar association is selected, your tour is fully sponsored (with travel costs and more provided).  It is a great deal for your bar association - you'll even enjoy arrangements for a private breakfast or dinner.