Presentation Transcript

1. Tech Tips from the Trenches

   CBA Small Firm Practice Management Section February 25, 2014 Facilitated by: Coach Doug Brown www.coachdougbrown.com
2. Objective Share technology tips to help members run a more profitable and productive practice. These tips have been gathered from our members and industry experts. Focus is on the following key areas: Meetings & Collaboration Telephone Document Management Storage Productivity Disclaimer: Sharing tips & resources. Not recommendations or endorsements.
3. Meetings & Collaboration
4. Event Scheduling Online Ticketing & Promotion Schedule & promote meetings Webinars, Team Meetings Communicate with attendees Show who else is attending Collect fees (or not) Options include
5. Meeting Scheduling One to One & Non Events Free / Busy calendar data Self-select times that work Automatically enter in calendar Options include:
6. Online Meetings Meet without travel Share Screens Video Chat Recording
7. Telephone & Fax
8. Phone (VOIP) VOIP = Voice over internet Protocol (Internet Phone) Traditional phone Video Conference Screen Sharing Upside: Less expensive More flexible Questions Fast enough connection / Call Quality? Right equipment? (Phones, routers)
9. VOIP Providers Distributors DIY
10. Phone Front-End Virtual PBX (Private Branch Exchange) Front-end to phone system, find you anywhere Big firm feel without big switch Virtual Receptionist
11. Internet Faxing Save money One less phone line and machine/ supplies Enables paperless operations Increase flexibility Get fax wherever you are (emailed to you) Look for Free trial (30 days) Price / month (around $10) Page packages (e.g., 300 / month)
12. Internet Fax Providers www.faxcompare.com and www.faxcritics.com
13. Document Management
14. Storage / Collaboration Features Web storage Permission based sharing (alternative to email) Backup solution Upside Easy sharing /access Low cost Downside Terms of Service Confidentiality standards?
15. Document Assembly Creating document by combining segments of text stored separately Pathagoras / HotDocs Active Words – triggers action based on words you type
16. Scanner Applications Desktop applications Function specific w/ associated database Mobile functionality Fast document reading 15-30ppm OCR Drop to document storage solutions Compatibility with practice management solution? Price range $400-$500
17. Mobile Scanner Applications Mobile Applications (portable device as scanner) Use for documents, whiteboard sessions Convert to .pdf w/ cropping interface Batchmode for multiple pages Apps CamScanner.net DocScanner App Genius Scan TurboScan Shoeboxed.com – receipts Worldcard-business card to contact
18. PDF Resources Adobe XI Features Reuse .pdf content. Convert to edit in other formats Edits and notes directly in .pdf files Fillable forms Benefits Outlook integration (add-in) Highlight emails, convert or add to pdf Integration with outlook Related Apps PrimoPdf iAnnotate
19. PDF Features Create “Binders” by combining PDF files The Binder creates Bookmarks named for each file name Create e-mail “Portfolios” Append new e-mails to existing Portfolio Drag and drop individual or selected e-mails, or other documents, into, or out of the Portfolio Create document Portfolios (Pro version only) In Standard, bootstrap an e-mail Portfolio to create a document Add files to Portfolio in different formats (Word, Excel, etc.)
20. Backup Automatic online backup to the cloud Protects against lost hardware, crashed software and self-inflicted error
21. Increasing Productivity
22. Practice Management One integrated solution Documents Time Billing Tasks Options include CLIO Cloud based $49/atty / month $25/support staff Amicus Attorney Hosted (your PC) $999+ Cloud $34.95 Multiple levels & features Total Attorneys $20/month (up to 2 users) $40/month (up to 10 users) Houdini.esq Free for solo (local install) Watch: Learning curve, support and integration
23. Note Taking / Organization Benefits Paperless notes, in synch across all devices Searchable Tag & organize Record voice To Do Lists Apps Penultimate
24. Tasks & To Dos Organize / Categorize & Remind’ Outlook tasks function Specialized Software Things (MAC, iOS) Evernote & OneNote Remember the Milk
25. Time Tracking & Billing
26. Business Cards to Contacts Photograph business cards directly to contact list Capture addresses from emails
27. Speech to Text Speak to Text dictation
28. Creativity / Processes Mind Mapping (for Visual Thinkers) Visual thinking to create organized display of a plan, project or problem Central Idea and theme. Intuitive and easy to learn Solve complex problems and get over writers block Options
29. Litigation Case Management For Litigators, Case Map®, TextMap®, Timemap® Lexis Products CaseMap®, is a Relational Database for all facts, people, documents, legal issues in a case All are connected with each other Great tool for more substantial cases, and even for smaller ones
30. Trial Presentation Software TrialPad for iPad Under $100.00 from App Store Simple to Use, Powerful Capabilities Import Documents etc. directly from DropBox Connects to projector or TV with adapter
31. Sources of Information Lifehacker.com – software recommendations Lifehacker App Directory HiveFive – crowd sourcing Lawyerist.com / Law Technology Buyers Guide www.lawyerist.com/tech and product reviews Law Technology News
32. Tips Talk to users Use free trials Allocate time to work ON your practice
33. Discussion
34. Shameless Plug Join us! Small Firm Practice Management Section Contact: Douglas Brown, Chair 203.651.8110 Dbrown@pelorusadvisors.com