{"id":18747,"date":"2019-12-02T13:07:14","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T12:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=18747"},"modified":"2019-12-02T13:07:14","modified_gmt":"2019-12-02T12:07:14","slug":"digital-transformation-legal-profession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/cross-industry\/2019\/12\/02\/digital-transformation-legal-profession\/","title":{"rendered":"5 steps for digitally transforming the legal profession"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the minds of many, the legal industry is all oak-panelled offices and decisions made at a glacial pace. It isn\u2019t, however, known for its innovative workspaces and modern technologies.<\/p>\n
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This appearance does more than just solidify a client\u2019s misconceptions of the sector; it has a major impact on the internal culture. If the way a firm operates remains traditional, the service it delivers falls back in comparison to more modern competitors.<\/p>\n
As such, transforming the customer experience demands transformation of the internal culture. Encouraging collaborative, flexible working practices that chime with the needs of both employees and clients alike. While tradition, precedence, and formality has stymied the sector\u2019s ability to innovate, new technology is starting to build the foundations that help transform the experience you deliver customers.<\/p>\n
The question many in the legal sector face when wanting to transform their workplace is\u2026<\/p>\n
Where do I start? <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pivotal to the modern IT experience is an updated back-end and cloud-based workloads. However, these \u2018transformations\u2019 are invisible to the end user \u2013 rare is the employee that compliments an employer for moving their mailbox to the cloud.<\/p>\n Take advice whenever necessary. For many in the legal sector, upgrading systems is a new and exciting task, but not one with which they\u2019re au fait. Successful implementation doesn\u2019t happen overnight. It often requires consultation with those in the know in order to determine the infrastructure and complementary hardware that\u2019s right for your business.<\/p>\n A major consideration at this stage is security. Choosing a system\u00a0 and devices tailor-made to protect and defend your law firm from cyber-attacks doesn\u2019t just offer peace of mind (and keeps you focused on what really matters). It also ensures you can maintain the integrity of your client records, and any private, personal, and sensitive data within.<\/p>\n Part of this transition will see you bring legacy and paper-based data to the cloud. Immediately, this is a revolutionary move. No longer are client records stored away in filing cabinets, lost, or forgotten. Secure in the cloud, they\u2019re easily accessible to your team.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Internal buy-in is critical to transforming the way you work. The customer experience can\u2019t change if employees are unwilling or unable to move to a new way of working.<\/p>\n Start by explaining what<\/em> you wish to change, and how<\/em> you intend to do it. This is the stage when most companies stop \u2013 it\u2019s the end of the journey. Yet this is really the beginning. Now, request feedback from your team.<\/p>\n What issues do they face and how will a digital transformation help? What do they want from a new system and devices? How can these be used to improve service delivery?<\/p>\n During your \u2018exploration phase\u2019 \u2013 that is, when considering all the systems and devices that will help you alter your working ways \u2013 place employee experience at its heart. Your team wants an interface and device that makes it easy to do their job and offer an exceptional customer experience. Give it to them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your team needs to be at the top of their game \u2013 it\u2019s one of the admirable hallmarks of the legal sector. Salaries can be matched. Perks can be offered. But nothing beats an employer that supports true investment in employees.<\/p>\n This is at the crux of creating a modern digital workplace.<\/p>\n By changing the way your team works through technology, you help encourage a healthy work-life balance. Today\u2019s cloud-connected law graduates are used to the flexibility that modern technology affords; they\u2019re adept at working remotely and collaboratively.<\/p>\n A senior associate from one Surface-enabled firm said, \u2018I\u2019ve really enjoyed the flexibility that comes with our new Surface laptops. It took an hour or so to get set up. Then, I was able to work from home within the first few days without disruption. The whole process of starting up for the day and getting going with work is so much quicker.\u2019<\/p>\n Devices that deliver on the promise of the modern workplace keeps staff more engaged and productive than ever before. And they appreciate that, as an employer, you understand that life doesn\u2019t simply stop once work starts. With an employee experience like this, it completely alters the level of service offered to clients.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019re creatures of habit. Because of that, it can be challenging when trying to encourage people to work in new, more productive ways.<\/p>\n Put something new and exciting, like a Surface, into their hands and suddenly it ignites enthusiasm. They find themselves able to work differently. Because the technology\u2019s there to streamline and enhance collaboration, they begin having more video conferences with clients and other solicitors; they draw their ideas; they embrace the hot-desk mentality, when necessary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The more diverse and inclusive a team is, the more creative and productive they are. And that can only be a benefit to your law firm. Part of that means ensuring your workplace and the tools within it are wholly accessible for those with disabilities.<\/p>\n As part of this drive to be diverse, inclusive, and accessible, Surface features a number of design choices that enable a better experience for all. For instance, the power and volume buttons can be managed with one hand. The device\u2019s microphones make use of extremely accurate Closed Captioning. Use a Surface pen, and your team will discover one of the most natural digital writing experiences available to them. Ultimately, these features help your team to work better than ever before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Technology is changing the way we communicate, creating a modern digital workplace. If your legal organisation wishes to make a statement and cultivate a culture that empowers every employee, it starts with the user. Connect your team with the devices that help them work smarter<\/a>, and support your digital transformation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nStep 1 \u2013 Get a technical infrastructure in place<\/h2>\n
Step 2 \u2013 Bring employees on the journey<\/h2>\n
Step 3 \u2013 Choose a device that offers a good work-life balance<\/h2>\n
Step 4 \u2013 Embrace collaboration<\/h2>\n
Step 5 \u2013 Encourage diversity, inclusion, and accessibility<\/h2>\n
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Find out more<\/h2>\n