YOU are a business. Understanding and appreciating the value of this simple principle is sometimes easier said than done. Most of us work in law firms and it is easy to assume that “your business” is the same as the “firm business.” This assumption, however, should be avoided at all costs.
I will be the first to admit that it is often difficult to separate the “firm business” from “your business.” In some respects these two “businesses” are intricately intertwined; in other respects, they are separate and distinct. As an employee of the firm, you have a duty to act in the best interests of the firm. As individual, you also have a duty to do what’s best for you. In effect then, you work for two businesses: yourself and your firm. Balancing these two “employers” can be sometimes be tricky, but in order to do your best work for both businesses, you must constantly attempt to improve and better the business of YOU. Doing this will not only help you to succeed as an individual, but if you’re doing it correctly it also will increase your value in your firm.
One of the tools businesses often implement as a method to help them improve, is a SWOT analysis, otherwise known as a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Taking time to sit down and evaluate your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats will help you ensure that you have clear goals to improve the business of YOU. Knowing where you are strong, where you need to improve etc., can help you to fill valuable roles within your firm and create benefits for your clients. Figuring out what you want to do, identifying how to get there, and then checking in with yourself on a regular basis to look at the health of the business of YOU, will invariably help you to succeed both at within your firm and beyond. It is easy to lose the business of YOU in the everyday of the business of your firm and your practice, but don’t let it happen: YOU will regret inevitably regret it.
If you're looking for new ways to practice growing the business of YOU, come to the DRI Women in the Law Seminar taking place in beautiful (and warm) Scottsdale, AZ on February 1-3. The event promises to host a number of excellent guest speakers and other Links to register are below!
Register for the seminar here – WomenInTheLaw-Seminar2017
Book your hotel here – www.MonteluciaScottsdale-WITL2017
Download the brochure – www.dri.org/WomenInTheLawSeminar