Building an Aligned Team for Your Firm
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“Who was in charge of that?”
“What was the timing?”
“I thought he was handling it.”
The business of building a business is as much an art form as a science. You’ve probably done acrobatics to get your law firm, accounting firm or professional service business off the ground. You’ve paid bills, stocked the kitchen with coffee pods, hired, fired, written systems and HR policies…all to sit at this moment with frustration at the lack of alignment within your team. If only they’d just do it the exact way you want it done - and frankly, the exact way you do it - everything would be good.
But that’s not the reality of owning a business and building a team. Everyone has different interpretations, different expectations, and different skill sets.
So, you need a better approach. You need to build an aligned team. And, fast! Your annual goals will get you back on track – but you cannot do it alone!
Here are our suggestions – and how we’ve helped hundreds of law, accounting and professional services firms across the US and Canada.
1. The Shared Vision and Plan
First of all, you need a shared picture of what success looks like. One that allows you to have a glimpse of the long-term, mid-term and short-term ideal state. We typically recommend a five-year plan, three-year and one-year plan.
To do this, you need a get-together! A spot where your team is focused on the business – and whether it’s a Zoom call or an in-person meeting, there needs to be a concerted effort to work “on the business” for the session. Egos set aside, and we recommend a facilitator!* It’s best to have a handful of key individuals who are part of your leadership in your meeting – those who are uniquely qualified in key dimensions of the business (i.e. operations, marketing, finance, human resources, IT) whom you trust the most.
A solid strategic plan has a vision for the future, definition of key goals and initiatives for the year and clearly defined responsibilities and timelines. Get all of the details out there for each key element – what will the office(s) look like, how many professionals, how many staff, what types of practice areas, what is the revenue, the profit?
2. Who Does What?
Next, alignment on the roles and responsibilities is paramount. We like to suggest that you have a leader that takes the helm on marketing & client intake. Next, one leader takes the lead on the operations. We suggest that you get very clear on who is in charge of finances, HR, IT and facilities. No organization is the same – flexibility here is the name of the game! One person could be in charge of two sections, but NO section should have two people in charge of it! If you feel like two people are responsible for the same section, that section needs to be divided.
Go around the room/Zoom and agree on each person’s role. For example: “Penelope has the helm on marketing and HR, Cameron has the helm of our legal team", etc. Confirm out-loud for each person what they are responsible for. Give everyone time to ask questions that will help set ground rules for who to go to in different situations.
3. Practice Perfect Meetings
You know what they say: “Practice makes perfect”. Well, that goes for meetings too! Decide which of the teammates will be in charge of ensuring that the meetings are done according to a shared agenda.
Then, schedule a series of meetings for the team you’ve gathered. The meetings need to be held at the same day of week, same time, with the same people each week, and with the same agenda. Here’s the agenda that EOS™ suggests, and we love it!
Segue
Date
Headlines
Big Projects
To Dos
Issue Discussion
Conclude
5 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
60 minutes
5 minutes
Check in on your short-term, mid-term and long-term goals on an annual cadence. How are you tracking to make your vision come to life, and what adjustments do you need to make?
With an aligned team, you’ll have many oars in the water – and you won’t be the only one paddling forward towards your goals!
*If you are in need of a facilitator for your meetings, let us know! We have client support that can help ongoing, or just provide direction at the beginning of you setting up your team meetings! We’re here to help