Yes, sometimes less really is more.

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Many of the tasks we do on a daily basis don’t add any value. In fact, they take up valuable time and prevent us from doing the things that do add value.

The most recent study from Thomson Reuters finds that small firm attorneys are still spending about 40% of their day on non-billable work. If you haven't read the report, I highly recommend it, not least because the authors manage to quote both JFK and Rush (not something you find in most dry legal reports!).

Some of that unbillable work is going to be necessary. It adds value for your business and you may be the best person to be doing it. But the rest of it has to be changed.

How? By doing less work...

By becoming more efficient, improving your processes, and by moving work to more appropriate (often lower cost) resources, you are going to free up more of your time for the work only you can do. The work where you are truly adding value.

Look at the tasks you do every day

If you’re not already using a matter management board to make your work visible it may take you a little longer (watch our short video Why Use Matter Management Boards - A Primer to find out more).

Even if you're not using a matter management board, you can still do this exercise. Try making a list as you go through your day. Focus on the routine tasks you do more than once.

Don't Start From Scratch

Anything you have to repeat is a target for automation or at least standardization. Create a template or a standard form or write down the process...and use it. Use the template, start from your standard form, follow your process. Don’t always start from scratch.

Once you've standardized how you do that particular task, ask yourself if there's someone else who can and should be doing it...If the answer is yes, then hand it off. Teach your assistant how to do it or outsource it.

You want to limit your tasks in the "Doing" column to the things where YOU really add value for your business and your clients.

It may mean you're doing less...but you'll be much more productive and more profitable in the time you have. Because in that time, you'll be adding real value.

Remember, you'll get the biggest profitability boost by making sure you have the right people doing the right tasks at the right rate. It the right person isn't you, you need to delegate that task or outsource it. We see this with all of our clients.

And that’s it for this week. Next week, we’re going to give you our top tips for setting up your own matter management board, so you can visualize your work.

We’ll be including our Matter Management Board Set-up Checklist as a downloadable resource, too. We’ve thought a lot about what you need to get started, and I know you’re going to find it really useful.

—Karen

P.S. We’re trying something new. You can now watch a video of this tip. If you do, and you like it, please remember to like it and share it.