Episode 230:
Welcome to episode 230 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Mary Ellen Murrah, the Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Vista Consulting Team.
She joined the Vista Team in 2019. Mary Ellen spent more than 16 years managing and marketing a national, legal case management software company. That position introduced her to thousands of personal injury law firms across the country. She was a familiar face at annual legal events and a frequent voice on topics ranging from legal marketing to data integrity. Over the years, she’s forged meaningful relationships with legal vendors, which has provided keen insight on almost every corner of the legal industry. She is skilled in identifying law firm business improvement opportunities and brings her extensive operations, team management, and industry knowledge to the Vista team. Mary Ellen has a true passion for tackling projects with common sense management. Her eye for detail, human resources experience, and deep operations skills are an asset to help law firms grow their businesses and help attorneys foster and maintain efficient, profitable practices.
Mary Ellen lives in Baltimore, MD, where she and her wife orchestrate the chaos of life with two teenage boys and three rescue dogs. She enjoys crafting and baking with her family. With a passion for grammar, travel, and terrible puns, she feels she’s landed at home with the Vista team.
What you’ll learn about in this episode:
1. Identifying and Addressing Common Law Firm Issues
- Firms need to provide proper tools and training, and set clear expectations to ensure team members can perform effectively.
- Firms often have areas that need enhancement, such as leadership training and setting clear KPIs.
2. Importance of Training
- Investing in leadership training is crucial for developing emerging leaders within the firm.
- Encouraging a culture of continuous learning helps team members improve and stay engaged.
3. Establishing Processes and Procedures
- Having documented standard operating procedures (SOPs) is essential for consistency and scalability.
- Implementing processes and procedures requires time and a shift in culture, especially in larger firms.
4. Utilizing Reports for Decision-Making
- Using data and reports allows firms to make informed decisions and measure performance accurately.
- Establishing effective reporting systems helps track key metrics and identify areas for improvement.
5. Improving Intake Processes
- Having a dedicated intake team ensures that potential clients are properly handled and converted.
- Tracking and analyzing intake performance is vital for optimizing the process and increasing conversion rates.
Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/Vistact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ellen-murrah-m-s-shrm-scp-2a2033a/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ellen-murrah-m-s-shrm-scp-2a2033a/
Additional Resources:
https://www.pilmma.org/resources/