What can a young lawyer do to support business development within the firm?

Be a good Ambassador

You are a walking, talking advertisement for your firm. Everyone you speak to – whether in a work or social context – will form an impression of the firm from the way you act. Regardless of your particular specialism, people will expect you to be familiar with what your firm is doing across all its departments and specialisms. Make sure you are aware of the firm’s vision and strategy and its key messages. Chat to colleagues in other departments to learn about their key clients, services and projects. Take time to read the firm’s web site and keep up to date with new developments by reading newsletters and blog posts.

Participate in internal marketing

Part of being a good Ambassador is keeping in touch with what those in other departments do – and by promoting the services of your team to them. Building trust amongst your colleagues will encourage them to cross refer clients and work to you. Having an up to date CV makes it easier for them to include you in tenders. Attending their departmental meetings will provide you with a deeper insight into what they do and why they do it so well. And don’t be shy – if you are aware of something interesting or working on a great project or case, send an email to let them know. And if other teams arrange internal or external events, ask if you can attend.

Promote yourself

Make sure that your profile entries on the firm’s intranet and web site are up to date. Be as specific as you can about what you do and who for (bearing in mind whatever client confidentiality issues might constrain this). Tell people what you are working on. Take time to introduce yourself to your colleagues at the firm’s events.

Communicate and publicise

There is always work to do in updating sections of the firm’s web site – volunteer to help – you may assist in ensuring that your firm and team’s entries remain high in the search engine lists. Provide short articles for your firm’s newsletters, briefing sheets or blog entries if they have a blog. If you think that a client or case is newsworthy speak to the marketing or PR advisers to see if a press release or article for external media might be appropriate. If your firm uses Twitter, see if there are topics on which you can provide tweets.

Develop relationships with clients

Your first priority has to be to deliver excellent service to your clients. And you should remain alert to any problems or opportunities that you learn about and advise the relevant partner. But try to get closer to your clients – set up Google Alerts so that you remain aware of their public announcements. Read their web site, annual report and brochures so that you become more familiar with their business. Read their trade and technical press and email articles that might be of interest to them to show that you are keen to support them grow their business. Make time to socialise with your peers there – even if it is just for a chat over a cup of coffee at the end of the meeting. Request introductions to other people there so that you broaden your range of contacts there and investigate how you get invitations to appropriate events that they may organise. If you are attending conferences and exhibitions, see if they are going to and offer to accompany them – or obtain tickets for them if this is possible. For larger client organisations, find out what sports events they support and see if you can organise for your firm to play them.

Network

Identify the relevant professional, trade, business, sector and local associations and clubs and explore membership. First out about your firm’s rules on financial and time contributions towards your regular attendance at such meetings. Make sure you have a good introduction and/or elevator speech, enter the contact details of people you meet in the firm’s database or CRM system and organise yourself to make the relevant follow up calls and stay in touch with those who are likely to be of most interest in the future.

Attend conferences

When you attend conferences for training and education purposes, make the most of the refreshment breaks to talk to other delegates, speakers and exhibitors. Hone your networking and follow up skills. Consider whether there are any lower level events where you might provide a short presentation or paper. Write internal reports and blog entries on what you have learned so that others may also benefit.

Maintain relationships with referrers and intermediaries

Seek out your peers at the other professional firms who serve your clients and operate in your market. Spend time getting to know what they do and about their interests. Offer to accompany them to industry and other events and invite them along to events at your firm that might be relevant. Keep details on any central referrer and intermediary list that your firm may operate and enter their details on your firm’s database so that they are kept up to date with bulletins and newsletters. If you are asked to attend events, do a little research into their firm and try to find areas where you have mutual interests. Organise socials.

Support new business development initiatives

Ask your departmental head if you can see a copy of any marketing and business development plans and volunteer to assist with any research or analysis tasks. When tenders are received, offer your help in collating and drafting material or in helping to prepare presentations. Listen attentively when marketing and business development is discussed at team meetings and offer any suggestions and ideas that you might have. Keep an eye on what competitors are doing and share any insights.

Get organised

Discuss with your departmental head or marketing/BD department what appropriate training there might be for young professionals and find out where your firm keeps information on clients, services and events that might be helpful. Learn to use the firm’s client and contact database so that you can manage your contact information. Request help in developing your own personal marketing plan that support the aims of the firm and department’s overall business development activities.

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As always, if there are particular topics you would like me to address in the future, please let me know. You will also find a source of more and up to date information on a broad range of management and marketing issues in the professions by checking out the blog where I also post regular reviews of books that might be helpful.