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Clarissa Rayward

A Mastermind Success Story with Cara Austen

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This is an image of lawyer Cara Austen

A Mastermind Success Story with Cara Austen

This is an image of lawyer Cara Austen

Since 2019, I have been hanging out with 10 amazing lawyers in a yearly Mastermind program. 10 months, 4 workshops, private coaching and a whole lot of stuff getting done.

Cara was a part of the first Mastermind program in 2019. These are her experiences and successes. 

1. Please tell us a bit about your Mastermind journey... (Where you started, the bits in between and where you are one year later?

One year later! On the road to the Retreat to do some more work on my #bestlawlife and spend quality time with some amazing people who get me. Last year I was already in the midst of changes: undergoing IVF and working out how to successfully transition leadership of my corporate legal team. I was also working out how to move from being in a fairly senior corporate role to running my own business – I had ideas but at the same time I had no idea! 

This year has been largely one of learning, trying things and being inspired. 

I have learnt technical skills for running my own business. Many of these skills have come from conversations with the other Masterminders, usually just evolving organically so I end up learning things I never knew would be useful from people with real lives experience. 

I have tried things I never thought I would. I’ve built my own website, created a suite of “how to” guides, written articles based on interviews with people in my target industry and I’ve collaborated with real humans to host an industry event. by doing these things I’m now closer to doing what I am really passionate about.  

I’ve been so inspired by the other Masterminders. They have all given so freely to help me and each other, and have also given a great big friendly push when needed. There is no ego and no bullshit.  

A year later and I’m feeling so much more grounded and certain than I did when the Mastermind started. During the year I was also going through a much wanted IVF pregnancy and all the stress that entails. The Mastermind literally kept me sane as I struggled to work out what to do with my career, while not wanting to over commit myself, while also being very scared of missing out if I didn’t do EVERYTHING the world tells you you need to do to #beaboss and #hustle. I’ve not really learnt to balance, but I know that I’ve learnt so much this year that when I’m ready to really hit the go button on the business side of things I will be so ready and will have the most amazing  team of cheerleaders backing me. 

2. What are you deeply proud of achieving or doing this year?

Working out what I like to do, need to do and what I don’t want to do. 

3. What is your 2019 highlight?

Personally it was the birth of my child, Ellis. 

4. Your Mastermind experience in a word?

Genuine.

I have enjoyed working with lots of great lawyers over the past few years doing 1 on 1 coaching, which is something I will continue to do, but I know myself, there is something to be said for being in a group when it comes to really getting stuff done!

And so, for 2022 I am again rolling out my 10 person Mastermind and if you think that is something for you, I would love to have you join me.

I have come to learn that one of my super powers is the ability to ‘kindly’ push people off virtual cliffs by giving them the confidence (and the tools!) to achieve their goals and the Mastermind in 2022 will do that and more.

To hear more from Cara and the Mastermind class of 2019 you can tune into my short video below. 

This is an image of the Mastermind rainbow and logo.
Play Video

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How to ‘show up’ on your off days by Samara Wendt

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This is an image of a law student with her funky notebook by the pool.

How to ‘show up’ on your days off!

Author Samara Wendt

In my life, there aren’t too many opportunities for days off. Even so,  I simply love Samara’s tips for how to get the most out of your down time. These tools may seem basic (I mean brushing your teeth shouldn’t take too much prompting) but when we are being pulled this way and that by family, work, or this crazy holiday season, it is so important to remind ourselves to ‘show up’ for our ‘off’ days so that we can keep nailing it on our ‘on’ days. 

Clarissa

Some days you make magic, and other days getting out of bed is an achievement. Here are the small self-care wins that always help you ‘show up’ and make yourself proud.

Practice Gratitude.

My practice of gratitude is quite flimsy. While I do not actively prioritise the practice every day, as my day travels on I acknowledge great things like that first sip of hot bean juice (coffee for those playing at home), how the sun feels on my skin, and how great it is to see with my glasses on! The moment I realise I am having an off day I sit myself down with a note book and affirmation book. Here I list three things I am thankful for. These are usually constant things in my everyday life. Following this I open my affirmation book and write out the first affirmation my eyes land on – I imagine I see what I meant to see in that moment. Through the day I will repeat this affirmation to myself, focusing my thoughts on it especially during trying moments. Mindfulness works differently for everyone and I urge you to give it a go.

Brush Your Teeth.

You know what I am talking about. Yes, you can be bothered.

Pack Your Bag The Night Before.

The best way to support your future self is to pack your bag each night. Just spend 5 minutes packing essentials for the next day and you are almost guaranteed to not forget anything. This includes putting your glasses into the case before packing the case and plugging your laptop in to charge. Regardless of how your morning begins, your bag is ready, and you have prepared yourself to ‘show up’ to the tasks of the day. Please note that ‘packing’ can include throwing items in the general direction of your bag.

Drink A Glass Of Water.

Then drink another. Every day can be a struggle to drink enough water. So, when you feel yourself getting too deep in your thoughts, have a glass of water. This is serious self-care in more ways than one – hydration and distraction. On that note, make sure you are making a conscious effort to eat.

Silence Your Phone.

It may not be practical to silence your phone for the entire day due to work requirements. But take intervals throughout the day to flick it on silent and completely focus on doing one task. Even just eating lunch uninterrupted. Once you are on a role with that task your mind will fade from notifications. Call it a mini-detox!

Finish Work On Time.

Remember not everyday is about making magic. Finish work when you are suppose to. And do not take any work home!

Exercise.

It has been sufficiently proven that movement positively affects mood. Whatever your preferred style of exercise is make it a top priority on these kinds of days. It really does not need to be high impact and sweaty. A gentle walk or yoga stretches will do wonders for your mind and body.

Sleep.

Head to bed at a reasonable time. Before you do, pack your bag, have a glass of water and brush your teeth.

Making it through an off day is called ‘showing up’ for YOURSELF! Today was not about making magic, it was about preserving your energy for tomorrow’s magic. 

Share your self-care essentials with me on LINKEDIN and INSTAGRAM. 

 

 

Samara Wendt

Blogger and Happy Law Student 

Linkedin-in Instagram

Oh hey there!

My name is Samara. I am a student, volunteer and kindness advocate doing my best to overcome the #lawlife imposter syndrome. Currently, I am studying Law (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology. 

Did you have a light-bulb moment when choosing to study law? Because I certainly did not! After witnessing the extent of injustice around me, I simply wanted to help those suffering vulnerability. This is where law made sense for me.

You will quickly come to learn about the love-hate relationship I have with imposter syndrome. This is as it does continues to teach me so much about myself, including how to still conquering life in a variety of roles. 

Join the journey with me here on the Happy Lawyer Happy Life Student Blog, on Instagram and Linkedin! 

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The Retreat 2019 Dyan Burgess— Design thinking or MVP: Call it what you want – let’s get creative!

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Design Thinking or MVP: Call it what you want- let’s get creative!

Dyan Burgess

This is an image of Dyan Burgess

As you may already know Dyan is amazing at visual note taking so instead of a ‘written’ blog post here is a ‘visual’ blog post of the framework Dyan shared with us at the Retreat!!

Dyan's Magic Formula

Dyan shared with us that every project she tackles, no matter big or small, Dyan takes the same approach each and every time. Dyan went on to explain to us that her magic formula follows six simple steps and assures us that it will be the fool proof answer to all our project planning and needs.

This is an image of Dyan Burgess Visual Notes

Step one: You’ve Got Your Idea

Dyan tells us that every idea that we may come across should be tested using her magic formula. At this step, you might have a wish list longer than your arm, but remember each and every idea deserves a shot. 

Step two: The Domino Test

 

This is an image of dominos

Dyan tells us to always start from the beginning. Dyan reminds us that just like dominos, an idea will trigger a series of other ideas to fall in line just like a domino. However, Dyan warns, that you must start at the beginning and we never start our domino test half way along, this is to ensure we have maximum impact throughout our planning process. 

Step Three: The Before Action Review 

Dyan stresses careful planning, visualisation, and review before starting any project. Here, you get started on imagining all the different things you might face on your planning journey and really look at locking down what you hope your idea will look like. Dyan tells us that by visualising ahead of time what we might come across during our planning journey, we’re better suited to face anything that comes our way. 

Step Four: Project Outline 

Here is where we map out and then action our idea. Dyan uses the example of a flow chart to help us do so. 

Step Five: The After-Action Review 

Here it’s time for a debrief. Go over absolutely everything that you’ve faced on your project journey and talk, talk, talk about all you came across along the way. 

Step Six: Update Checklists

Here is where you make a contingency plan for next time, keep all of your notes about what was faced along the way and update any resources or precedents you might have to help you along the way next time you tackle this same feat. 

Get all of Dyan's amazing Club Retreat resources HERE

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

The Retreat 2019 Jacob Aldridge – Everything I Learnt, I Learnt from Cinema: Lessons from the World’s Greatest Cinephile!

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Everything I Learnt, I Learnt from Cinema. Lessons from the World’s Greatest Cinephile.

Jacob Aldridge

Author Kiarah Grace Kelly

For the final session of the Retreat 2019 (can you BELIEVE we’re done for another year?), we were in the presence of greatness. Now- international business coach, new father, inspirational club faculty member or not, Jacob is a world record holder. Yes, in June 2003, Jacob was crowned the world record holder of the longest movie marathon ever. From Saturday to Tuesday, Jacob sat and he watched. It’s important to note, his movie marathon was more of a marathon than any athletic feat. What’s a few hours of running, anyway? Jacob’s task took days! Jacob remembered the moments in his life that matter- the birth of his daughter who was so very, very wanted, his wedding day and the memorable first kiss, and some moments of learning from his movie marathon too. Here’s what Jacob has to say, told through the movies- 

Harry Potter
  1. Harry teaches us to choose greatness, choose magnificence and to create your whole reality. 
  2. Harry Potter shows us like not many others could, that you can have life happen to you, or have life come through you. 
the Breakfast Club
  1. The Breakfast Club taught Mr Murray that we see people as we want to see people, no matter who they really are;
  2. You can be a Brain, an Athlete, a Basket Case, a Princess and a Criminal. Jacob reminded us that far too often we’re told we have to specialise, that we have to take away the parts of us that don’t fit into ‘the box’;
  3. You have permission to explore, to go where you might not usually. Chase your wildest dreams and ask all the questions. 
Star Wars: A New Hope
  1. Star Wars fans know it pays to be human, no matter what the gang come up against, humanness triumphs;
  2. If we follow the idea that we can get 80% of the outcome from 20% of the input, we can get 50% with just 1% input. In Star Wars land, we learn that it’s all about knowing your 1%, which part of the Death Star to strike;
  3. Go with the force. The Star Wars crew will always have their strategy, their goal. But, it is the force, the systems, that make it count. 
Glengarry Glen Ross
  1. Despite Alec’s greatness, this is a lesson on what not to do. Glengarry Glen Ross teaches us that the hard sales tactics still exist- 3rd prize is never ‘you’re fired’;
  2. Know your numbers, know them well. More importantly, it’s the conversation that flows after the numbers that counts. If a member of your team is underperforming, what do they need to improve?;
  3. If you ever do need to have that difficult ‘do better’ conversation, it’ll change you as a leader for the better, you’ll know what you need to do to never have to have that conversation again. 
Breakfast at Tiffany's
  1. Champagne before breakfast is a ‘sometimes’ activity;
  2. There’s not much to find at Tiffany’s for under $10;
  3. Spend your days doing things you’ve never done before- whether they take place on the streets of New York with a very handsome author as your date is another story.
the Lion King
  1. Never stand downwind of Pumba;
  2. You know this one: it’s a problem free philosophy, it means no worries for the rest of your days! No but really, Jacob reminded us that between action and reaction we always have choice, so choose not to worry.
It's a Wonderful Life

This one is up to you- you have choice. What makes a wonderful life? 

Over the course of the Retreat, we’ve had a lot of lessons, we’ve got new energy and there’s been so much excitement. Maybe we’re leaving a little fearful of the choices we have ahead. Jacob reminds us we do have the choice, if the wrong choice does arise, just like a movie, we can choose to pause, turn it off, and we won’t choose it again. 

I can’t help but to feel Jacob was the perfect choice to send us off and close out all our Retreat learnings for another year. With his usual wisdom and epic delivery, I just loved Jacob’s presentation today. 

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Kiarah Grace Kelly

Kiarah Grace Kelly

Blogger and Happy Lawyer

Linkedin Instagram

Hi! I am Kiarah Grace Kelly, I have just finished a dual Bachelors degree in Law and Government and International Relations at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. I tested my legal toes in the water at a boutique Gold Coast law firm before starting as a Law Graduate at Brisbane Family Law Centre in November 2018. I’ve just been admitted here in Queensland which makes me a Brand New Lawyer or #babylawyer as the BFLC gang likes to say. My sole practice area is Family Law.

I’m looking forward to writing about and sharing with you all that I can at this crazy-exciting but daunting stage of my career. I think there’s a need to talk about our experiences as early career lawyers so that we can all lean on each other as much as we can.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

The Retreat 2019 Katherine Maslen – Do It Now: You Have Everything Inside Of You To Make That Shift & Make It Now

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Do It Now! You Have Everything Inside of You to Make that Shift & Make It Now

Katherine Maslen

Author: Hannah Trotter

Our resident naturopath, author and natural health expert, Katherine Maslen, shares on health goals, why they are so hard to achieve, and how we can start reaching them.

What's Your View on Health?

Do you value it? Is it a chore? What does good health mean to you? 

Health impacts every area of our lives but it’s more than diets and exercise – it’s about being happy and content, knowing who you are, being comfortable with yourself, and being happy with where you are at. 

 

Why Are Health Goals So Hard to Achieve?

Making health goals are easy, the trouble comes with seeing them through. 

Why is it so hard?

So often, we make excuses when it comes to seeing our health goals through. 

The most common excuses:

  1. Time – “I’m too busy!”
  2. Money – “I can’t afford it!”
  3. Knowledge – “I don’t know how!”
These excuses so quickly become ‘I can’t!’ So let’s take a closer look at these excuses. 
  1. Time – Does the time not exist? Or do you value other things more?
  2. Money – Do you not value it enough to pay for it? 
  3. Knowledge – Do you know how to find out? 

The reality is, it’s not that we ‘”can’t” it’s that we “won’t”. 

Katherine says it’s okay not to want to – we just have to be conscious and aware if it’s not a priority. When health isn’t a priority, but we tell ourselves it is, that’s when we start to feel failures.

 

What Drives Us?

We are driven by 3 key factors: 

  1. Our Values – we are living our highest values right now. If we value health, we will be driven to achieve our health goals. On the other hand, if we don’t value health, our motivation to persist and commit to our goals waivers until we give up and say we can’t.
  2. Our Beliefs – Only 5% of what’s going on in our brains is conscious. This means, if it’s not something we subconsciously want, health will quickly move down the priority list. 
  3. Our Mindset – it’s easy to go over our negative thoughts and not nearly as easy to play out the positive. If we tell ourselves we can’t be healthy, that triggers an emotion, and goes on to trigger a behaviour. Chances are if you think you can’t achieve your health goal, you won’t try very hard to prove you can. 

How To Best Set Yourself Up To Achieve Your Health Goal

Katherine helpfully gave us 5 tips to setting ourselves up with the best chance of achieving our health goals. 

  1. Be Clear – Write it down, understand it, don’t complicate it!
  2. Be Real – Be honest with yourself. Life isn’t perfect and you don’t need to be – be aware of where you’re at and work from there. 
  3. Plan it – to succeed at anything, you need a plan. Not a plan for achieving it just this week, but what you need to put in place to achieve it in the long term.
  4. Visualise it! It’s not about visualising the end result, think of the journey and imagine yourself taking the steps to get there. 
  5. Support – don’t do it alone! If things get hard, have someone you can fall back on who will encourage you to continue and do the same for them. We thrive in community. 

The Take Home

The ultimate thing I took from Katherine today is that we do and prioritise the things we value. It’s so important to be self-aware to know whether you value the goals you set enough to achieve them. That way you can accurately understand why you’re not achieving those goals – it’s not because you can’t and it’s not because you’re a failure . 

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

THIS SESSION WAS SPONSORED BY

This is an image of the Lacuna Legal Logo

Bronwyn and Belinda, two of the #radboss ladies from Lacuna Legal Providers will be with us over the 2 days at the Retreat. Now these ladies are cleaver- they provide ‘back of house support to solo and small law firms aka YOU!!

Lacuna Legal Providers have a special offer for all attendees of the Club Retreat 2019 to sign up for a practice management or BD profile check in at 2 hours for the price of 1! At the end of the session you will get 10 tips on how you can improve your practice. More details will be shared on the flyer at the Retreat.

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Hannah Trotter

Hannah Trotter

Blogger and Happy Law Student 

Linkedin Instagram

Hi there! I’m Hannah and I am a law student currently in my third year at Queensland University of Technology. I graduated high-school in 2014 completely clueless about who I was, what I wanted and how I intended to get there. To many people’s surprise (including my own) I moved from my family farm on the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane to start my law degree in 2016.

Following my first year I commenced work as the Receptionist at Brisbane Family Law Centre. Having worked with this amazing team for nearly 2 years, I have been given a learning opportunity that goes beyond lectures and tutorials by providing a practical experience of the world of Law. My experience as part of the BFLC team has taught me that a Law career does not have to fit into a traditional box which has ignited a new passion for my studies as well as my future career in the legal profession.

In the meantime, I’ll stick to writing musicals, drinking coffee and playing board games.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

The Retreat 2019 Lucy Dickens – Productise & Profit

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Productise & Profit: How to simplify your business so you can do work you love.

Lucy Dickens

This an image of Lucy Dickens

Author Kiarah Grace Kelly

Lucy Dickens is the queen of all things productising. Lucy sees the world differently to many; in Lucy’s world there’s no legal product that can’t be productised. Lucy Dickens hails from Perth and graces the halls of city firm Birman & Ride by day. It is at Birman & Ride where Lucy has built and built and built. Birman & Ride now points so heavily to its inner productised businesses every day and Lucy has been such a huge part of that.

In opening her presentation, Lucy asked of us- why are we all here today? Lucy posed that there was something bigger bringing us all together, she suggested that was our collective care for meaning. Lucy goes on to explain how to get from productised services right to your meaning.

But, Why?

Productised services will allow us to simplify our businesses, we’ll go from selling time to selling solutions. 

It’s productised services that will allow us to penetrate our potential client’s scarcity mindset in a buyers market. Why? Lucy tells us that the drivers of selection when potential clients are choosing between us all are; the benefits to them, our communication with them, whether they perceive any hassle for them ahead and, in fourth place, price.

What is a Productised Service?

Productised services are packaged, sold and delivered. They are made up of deliverables and outcomes. They are always fixed price and fixed scope. Productised services position you as the expert. 

The magic of the productised service is that it is tangible, Lucy told us how it’s always easier to say yes to something you can see. When you can deliver someone something, you delight them. 

Keys to Success

So what are Lucy’s ‘must-dos’ when it comes to the productised service? Here’s the situation-

  1. Keep your ideal client at the centre of everything while you build, but also while you deliver;
  2. Sell what your client’s want, not what you want to sell;
  3. Remember that the solutions your ideal clients want, are bigger than law;
  4. To get from customer to solution, you need systems;
  5. Once you’ve got it, cross sell with it!

The Journey

Lucy took us through her productisation ladder, where do you fit? 

  • the traditional practice – you sell your expertise according to time, you tell, tell and tell again what your skills are and your client finds it difficult to know what they can do with them;
  • you sell packages – you’ve got the ingredients and you tell your client’s what you can do. But there’s no method;
  • the specialist – you know your knowledge is worth more than your time. You’ve got the packages and you’re value priced;
  • you’re productised – you take your clients from problem to promise. They get the product that they’ve been waiting for and you made it happen;
  • you have a product ecosystem – you’ve got many products, they’re automated. You’re spending the time you’ve saved by automating meaningfully. Plus, you get to choose the parts of the products process you get involved in!

Parting Words

Lucy left us by giving us a challenge- be more like a haiku (simple, elegant, full of meaning). 

If you’re looking for more, Lucy has written an e-book(!) all about this topic and you can get it at lucydickens.com.au. Lucy is happy to take questions at [email protected].

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

THIS SESSION WAS SPONSORED BY

This is an image of the Lacuna Legal Logo

Bronwyn and Belinda, two of the #radboss ladies from Lacuna Legal Providers will be with us over the 2 days at the Retreat. Now these ladies are cleaver- they provide ‘back of house support to solo and small law firms aka YOU!!

Lacuna Legal Providers have a special offer for all attendees of the Club Retreat 2019 to sign up for a practice management or BD profile check in at 2 hours for the price of 1! At the end of the session you will get 10 tips on how you can improve your practice. More details will be shared on the flyer at the Retreat.

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Kiarah Grace Kelly

Kiarah Grace Kelly

Blogger and Happy Lawyer

Linkedin Instagram

Hi! I am Kiarah Grace Kelly, I have just finished a dual Bachelors degree in Law and Government and International Relations at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. I tested my legal toes in the water at a boutique Gold Coast law firm before starting as a Law Graduate at Brisbane Family Law Centre in November 2018. I’ve just been admitted here in Queensland which makes me a Brand New Lawyer or #babylawyer as the BFLC gang likes to say. My sole practice area is Family Law.

I’m looking forward to writing about and sharing with you all that I can at this crazy-exciting but daunting stage of my career. I think there’s a need to talk about our experiences as early career lawyers so that we can all lean on each other as much as we can.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

The Retreat 2019 Ann-Marie David – The Power of Connection: It Starts With You!

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The Power of Connection

Ann Marie David

This is a image of Lawyer Ann-Maree David

Author: Hannah Trotter

In classic Ann-Marie David fashion, she instantly has the crowd on their feet demonstrating their superpowers to one another but, with a twist – no speaking allowed! 

There’s a bit of dancing, a lot of giggling and with that, the after lunch lull has certainly left the room. 

Ann-Marie’s first acknowledgement was about how every presentation, despite our speakers having been given complete free-reign as to topic, has had the common thread of being centered around humanity. 

Ann Marie is famous for her super power of connecting people with opportunity and ideas but she encourages us to realise how this can also become our super power. 

As people, we have thousands of interactions every day and with each one of these, we are given the opportunity to create connection. 

5 Senses and Their Roles in Connecting Us

As humans, connection is innate – it’s within us from the very beginning. Each of our senses are designed to bring about connection. 

  1. Sight – When we make eye contact with one another, our brains physically light up. We engage, we connect and pathways are created within our brains. 
  2. Touch – physically reaching out to touch someone. When we hug, hold, touch – our brains remember the experience and form pathways that can never be erased. The physiological impact of hugging is astonishing – it reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and boosts serotonin levels. The electrical charge we given one another allows these pathways to embed within our brains. 
  3. Hearing – we have a radar for voice. If you register and know a voice, you can be in a crowded and noisy room and still hear it. 
  4. Smell – one of the strongest sources of memory that we have. It can connect us back to a place, a time, a feeling, a person.
  5. Taste – working in unison with smell to connect us to memory. 

Super Charging Your Power

The key to using the power of connection is building empathetic engagement.  It is this empathy that sets us apart from technology. 

Empathetic engagement creates the difference in how we make decisions and it develops trust. 

We are living in a world of disruption. Today, from the moment children are born, they are bombarded with technology. With screens held up to their eyes, they lose the opportunity to develop human connection. 

The philological impacts on the brain of a child when it is neglected, that is lacking connection, are astounding. 

We need to make the conscious effort to utilise our five senses and empathetic engagement to connect with someone at every opportunity. 

 

With that, Ann Marie has every attendee linking arms,  swaying, smiling, reaching out to one another, and she has certainly come through on her own power of connecting each human here today.  

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

THIS SESSION WAS SPONSORED BY

This is an image of the Lacuna Legal Logo

Bronwyn and Belinda, two of the #radboss ladies from Lacuna Legal Providers will be with us over the 2 days at the Retreat. Now these ladies are cleaver- they provide ‘back of house support to solo and small law firms aka YOU!!

Lacuna Legal Providers have a special offer for all attendees of the Club Retreat 2019 to sign up for a practice management or BD profile check in at 2 hours for the price of 1! At the end of the session you will get 10 tips on how you can improve your practice. More details will be shared on the flyer at the Retreat.

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Hannah Trotter

Hannah Trotter

Blogger and Happy Law Student 

Linkedin Instagram

Hi there! I’m Hannah and I am a law student currently in my third year at Queensland University of Technology. I graduated high-school in 2014 completely clueless about who I was, what I wanted and how I intended to get there. To many people’s surprise (including my own) I moved from my family farm on the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane to start my law degree in 2016.

Following my first year I commenced work as the Receptionist at Brisbane Family Law Centre. Having worked with this amazing team for nearly 2 years, I have been given a learning opportunity that goes beyond lectures and tutorials by providing a practical experience of the world of Law. My experience as part of the BFLC team has taught me that a Law career does not have to fit into a traditional box which has ignited a new passion for my studies as well as my future career in the legal profession.

In the meantime, I’ll stick to writing musicals, drinking coffee and playing board games.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

The Retreat 2019 Jo Alilovic – Scaling the Old Fashioned Way

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Scaling the Old Fashioned Way- With People!

Jo Alilovic

This is an image of Jo Alilovic

Author Hannah Trotter

AI, Automation, Technology – it’s everywhere in business, but buying and using tech isn’t always the best way to scale your law firm. 

While tech is great and often essential, it can’t do ‘human’. It can’t empathise with a client, see how they’re feeling, or give suggestions and solutions based on that understanding. 

Every firm needs humans but there’s a lot of nervousness when it comes to employing people. 

Jo is here to bust some myths about hiring employees.

Myth 1 - Use Contractors (it's easier!)

Jo’s first myth is for those who think they’re better off using contractors than hiring employees. 

Jo encouraged us to consider whether contractors really understand our business, our values, and whether they are really invested in the vision of our businesses. 

When you have a team of employees, they are invested in helping your business succeed. 

If you’re convinced that this isn’t the case for your contractors, ask yourself:

  1. Are they really a contractor or are they actually an employee? 
  2. Whose business is their priority? Remember! Contractors need to make their own businesses their priority and yours will likely come second to that. 

Employees can bring huge advantages for your business. Finding the right person can make all the difference to how your business functions. 

Myth 2 - It's Just Too Difficult to Have Employees

We all know people have their own values, beliefs and issues – so why would we want to deal with them as employees? 

One of the most common complaints from business owners is the admin involved in hiring. 

Jo has provided the 5 things we need to do to hire employees (and they really aren’t that difficult!)

  1. Have a job description; 
  2. Have a contract of employment;
  3. Consider the insurance;
  4. Forms! (Tax forms, super forms)
  5. Payroll (add them to your system!

Beyond hiring, the most common complaints from employers is that their employees don’t know what they’re doing or behave unacceptably. To this, Jo says that this problem can be solved by having clear job descriptions, a code of conduct, open communication, and leading by example. 

Myth 3 - I Can Do It Alone!

The reality is, unless we acknowledge that we can’t do it all alone, we are going to end up feeling burned out. 

33% of lawyers are suffering from some type of distress or depression. 

Having a team to carry the load is a huge antidote to this sense of being alone and isolated. You are given the opportunity to not only share in the difficult times but share in the wins. 

When we bring on team members, we surround ourselves with different strengths. Employees bring fresh ideas and insights that we can’t achieve on our own. 

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Hannah Trotter

Hannah Trotter

Blogger and Happy Law Student 

Linkedin Instagram

Hi there! I’m Hannah and I am a law student currently in my third year at Queensland University of Technology. I graduated high-school in 2014 completely clueless about who I was, what I wanted and how I intended to get there. To many people’s surprise (including my own) I moved from my family farm on the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane to start my law degree in 2016.

Following my first year I commenced work as the Receptionist at Brisbane Family Law Centre. Having worked with this amazing team for nearly 2 years, I have been given a learning opportunity that goes beyond lectures and tutorials by providing a practical experience of the world of Law. My experience as part of the BFLC team has taught me that a Law career does not have to fit into a traditional box which has ignited a new passion for my studies as well as my future career in the legal profession.

In the meantime, I’ll stick to writing musicals, drinking coffee and playing board games.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

The Retreat 2019 Dave Eddy – The Funny Thing(s) About Lawyer Marketing

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The Funny Thing(s) About Lawyer Marketing

Dave Eddy

Dave Eddy

Author Kiarah Grace Kelly

Dave Eddy is the all-humour, all-fun marketer from Newcastle that came along to the Retreat to tell us all about the good, the bad, and the ugly of lawyer marketing. Dave has experience in advertising, of course marketing, but also as a start-up founder in his venture, Camplify. Despite the hilarity that did ensue (and the ever-amusing banter between himself and Clarissa) Dave really drove home for us the importance of what we face outward.

Where to Look: Your Marketing Priorities

When visiting New York this year, Dave encountered some very slippery stairs. After carefully traversing down the stairs and thankfully making it to the bottom unscathed, he looked up to see a quite giant billboard advertising a personal injury law firm. Dave went on to show some further examples of the big and bold, more traditional marketing examples of outdoor and newspaper advertising that were also really hilarious. Tactful? No. Get’s the eyes on the prize? Yes. Dave uses these slightly problematic examples as a way to reinforce the need to be unique in marketing.

Dave then pointed us to a completely bogus report authored by a ‘David Eduardo II’ that said; “lawyers are a funny breed, some are brilliant at marketing” it went on to say; “lawyers are a funny breed, some are woeful at marketing.” But, what are the key traits of these brilliant, lawyer marketers? Take it away, Dave-

  • brilliant lawyer marketers are trustworthy;
  • they are articulate and direct communicators;
  •  they are knowledgeable;
  • they are persuasive and compelling;
  • they avoid jargon. 

Dave left us by reminding us that we already have the skills it takes to be a great marketer due to our legal lives, we just have to use them. Also, did you know the team pages of service based business websites are the 2nd most visited pages they have, and about 40% of all traffic will flow there? Now get updating those pages! And finally, it’s all about content that cuts-through and giving one thing a go at a time. 

Thanks Dave!

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Kiarah Grace Kelly

Kiarah Grace Kelly

Blogger and Happy Lawyer

Linkedin Instagram

Hi! I am Kiarah Grace Kelly, I have just finished a dual Bachelors degree in Law and Government and International Relations at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. I tested my legal toes in the water at a boutique Gold Coast law firm before starting as a Law Graduate at Brisbane Family Law Centre in November 2018. I’ve just been admitted here in Queensland which makes me a Brand New Lawyer or #babylawyer as the BFLC gang likes to say. My sole practice area is Family Law.

I’m looking forward to writing about and sharing with you all that I can at this crazy-exciting but daunting stage of my career. I think there’s a need to talk about our experiences as early career lawyers so that we can all lean on each other as much as we can.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

The Retreat 2019 Sam Buckby— Creating inspired work spaces with people, performance and purpose in mind.

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Creating inspired work spaces with people, performance and purpose in mind.

Sam Buckby

This is an image of Sam Buckby

Author Hannah Trotter

Sam Buckby is a tradie who has been in the construction industry over 20 years. In the last few years, he developed a design and consultancy firm. Passionate about space, Sam is adamant that we can make our work spaces better. 

Sam’s podcast ‘Spaces’ interviews humans who have successfully designed beautiful spaces and below he shares a few snippets he has learned from his guests. 

Design Areas For Performance, Not To Produce.

“Time invested does not equal output achieved. Forget productivity, think performance. Time away from the desk is not a bad thing”. 

We want work spaces that inspire creativity and high performance. 

Thinking outside the box is more than just a metaphor. It’s not about speaking outside the box, we need to get ourselves out of the box. Square rooms, white walls encourage institutionalised thinking. 

Sam went on to say that if you think your office is about impressing your clients, you’ve missed the point. The most important asset in our businesses’ are our people – our staff. We need to set up our environments base don our people and what we stand for. This way, we can inspire our staff and that will bring the clients in. 

Creating Healthier Homes & Work Spaces

“One third of illness comes from our environment. In many cases, we have control of this. If we don’t have our health, what do we have?”

We need to be aware of the environments we are creating. Consider air flow, natural light, our spaces should encourage health and our staff should feel well being there. 

“Work spaces that harm your health are unacceptable. Something as simple as bad lighting can damage your sleep patterns at night” and decrease your ability to work well the next day. 

Wellness Standards and Creating Environments to Thrive

“Social connection is proved to help with creativity, innovation and collaboration.”

Sam’s guest Heidi encouraged us to have collaborative spaces central to our office and to push the quiet spaces out. 

Create break out spaces that your staff enjoy and want to be in then create a culture around it. 

Scent, Sound, Colour and Light in the Work Place

When setting up her Family Law firm, Clarissa Rayward deliberately set up in a house to make people feel warm and welcome. This has the wonderful by product of people walking in and knowing whether her firm was for them or not. 

Clarissa modeled a space to create energy through scent and sound. “Busy energy creates meaningless chaos, whereas calm energy is high performance”.

Small changes make huge differences. The space we create determines the how well we provide our service and attitude in providing it. 

 

Smart Design Living Buildings and Taking Influence From Nature

“Describe a flower, it’s grounded, it’s 100% naturally fueled, it has no waste or toxicity, it’s beautiful. A building can be all of these things.”

Guest Stephen Choi encourages us to be inspired by nature and the world around us. We can do this through foliage, architecture, and colours. 

It’s not something we can necessarily achieve over night but as Stephen says “everything in the world that is good takes time. Doesn’t ever expect perfection on inception”. 

Thank you to our partners for helping us bring The Retreat 2019 (a law conference like no other!) to you!

PLATINUM PARTNER

This is an image of automio logo

Our platinum partner Automio are thrilled to a part of the Club Retreat 2019. If you have been wanting to find out more about Automio’s combination of legal automation software and world-class training to scale your law firm to 7 figures you can book in a demo session with Business Development Manager, Mike Mullins here.

Automio love working with entrepreneurial lawyers just like you to help you scale up your law firm. And the final ‘Automio bedazzle’ we have for you is a special offer for you on Automio’s ‘Scale Up Springboard Training Program.’ 

If you enrol in Scale Up by 5pm AEDT 12 November you will get these fabulous free bonuses:

– A new, high-converting law firm website OR have our fabulous copywriter write high-converting copy for your firm’s website. 

 – A bonus small group VIP Event with Claudia King in Sydney before the 2 day Intensive. 

 – Up to $500 off your travel to the Sydney Intensive paid for

You can learn more about this offer at the Automio booth!

Hannah Trotter

Hannah Trotter

Blogger and Happy Law Student 

Linkedin Instagram

Hi there! I’m Hannah and I am a law student currently in my third year at Queensland University of Technology. I graduated high-school in 2014 completely clueless about who I was, what I wanted and how I intended to get there. To many people’s surprise (including my own) I moved from my family farm on the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane to start my law degree in 2016.

Following my first year I commenced work as the Receptionist at Brisbane Family Law Centre. Having worked with this amazing team for nearly 4 years, I have been given a learning opportunity that goes beyond lectures and tutorials by providing a practical experience of the world of Law. My experience as part of the BFLC team has taught me that a Law career does not have to fit into a traditional box which has ignited a new passion for my studies as well as my future career in the legal profession.

In the meantime, I’ll stick to writing musicals, drinking coffee and playing board games.

I would love to connect with you on Linkedin and Instagram!

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