The Future Firm Forum Click here to register An invitation I would like to invite you to experience a special weekend in New Zealand this coming September. I'm excited to be hosting a forum for a small group of law firm leaders, partners and senior law managers (Practice/HR/Marketing/IT) who want to create extraordinary practices. Over the weekend, you will focus on shaping a successful future for your practice. You will be inspired by leading-edge ideas. You will emerge with renewed energy, enthusiasm and focus. This is not a course nor a workshop, but an interactive forum with stimulating contributions from select, specially invited, thought-leaders. The real energy and impetus during the weekend will come from each person’s contribution, be it in session, during a fire-side chat or over dinner. Although I have led hundreds of workshops and seminars and participated in many law firm retreats, I believe that a residential weekend of interactive discussion like this can create more ideas and energy to sustain positive changes. The legal profession is in a state of flux. My experience suggests that, as lawyers adapt to the demands of the communities they serve, many are re-assessing their motivations and addressing issues that go to the very heart of successful lawyering – values, governance, leadership, management and service. Even the regulatory bodies are taking steps (some more progressive than others!) to reform the profession. In Australia, legislation now allows law firms to raise public funds and allows non-lawyers to invest (Slater and Gordon became the first publicly listed law firm in the world on 21 May 2007). In the UK, the Legal Service Bill is set to enable new kinds of business structures allowing different types of lawyers and non-lawyers to work on an equal footing. In New Zealand, the Lawyers And Conveyancers Act is set to take effect in 2008, creating a new profession of conveyancing practitioners, and allowing law firms to form limited liability companies. What impact are these reforms likely to have on your practice? Will they make any difference? Are they to be viewed as a threat or an opportunity? This forum will address these questions and examine what steps you can take to shape proactively your firm’s future without being on the back-foot in response to regulatory change. During the weekend forum, you will be challenged to think about how you can rise above the ‘sea of sameness’ in which so many firms remained trapped. My goal is to accelerate your progress towards breaking new ground in this old profession called ‘law’. As your host, I promise to provide a stimulating environment in which you can focus on important personal and professional issues. Come and spend a fulfilling weekend with positive, spirited people as we discuss key ideas that can enable you to create a better practice and make a difference in the world. Who will be joining us? Our special guest is Gerry Riskin of Edge International. Gerry will be participating live via video from his home in Anguilla. Gerry is a Canadian lawyer and Business School graduate with a global reputation as an author, management consultant and pioneer in the field of professional firm economics and marketing. Gerry is a globally recognized expert on managing professional service firms. He is the author of the best-selling The Successful Lawyer. Professional marketing pioneer, Bruce Marcus, has said of him "Light years ahead of almost everybody else." Recently, the head of a national conference said of Gerry's session, "As far as I'm concerned, that was the best practice-related seminar I'd ever attended!" Gerry will share with us his ‘take’ on what the firm of the future might look like. His insights and humourous approach are guaranteed to make your Ohakune experience even more valuable! Of course, a law firm’s primary purpose is to serve clients. So what are clients likely to want in the future from their lawyers and how can law firms become truly client-focused? What do clients really want, and what do they think of the differences you passionately believe about your firm? Past-President of the Corporate Lawyers Association of New Zealand,Ron Pol will address this issue from a New Zealand perspective. Ron has unique experiences and networks within corporate, government and professional services environments across multiple jurisdictions, with a keen understanding of international best practice combined with thought-leadership. He also brings a wealth of targeted benchmarking data and experience. At the forum, Ron will be giving a sneak preview of the results of a global motivational survey, the results of which will be launched in the US in October 2007. And is a change on the horizon for legal services RFPs in New Zealand, and how can you position to generate more meaningful wins? ‘Creativity’ and ‘innovation’ aren’t words that roll off the tongue when talking about law firms. However, they roll off Ed Bernacki’s with such inspirational force that he has become Canada’s most sought-after speaker on the subject. I first met Ed when he was Head of Marketing at Buddle Findlay in the early ‘90s. Since then Ed has gone on to work with a range of public and private sector organisations in the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. He believes that many great ideas already exist in our firms but that they do not have the skills and systems to find, develop and act on these ideas. He has written numerous articles and published his own book, Wow! That’s a Great Idea!' Ed will help you to uncover that million-dollar idea that could transform your practice. Ed will even change the way you participate in forums such as this one: from making notes that you never look at again to listening actively and acting on your insights and ideas afterwards. Numerous surveys tell us that ‘attraction, engagement and retention’ of staff is the principal challenge for law firm leaders today. How firms meet this challenge will be critical to their future success. Maria Masterantonio knows more than a thing or too about what turns on Generation Y lawyers and support staff. Her Auckland-based business Master Solutions helps HR managers and partners with recruitment, firm-specific training and induction programmes that develop employees’ productivity, effectiveness, happiness...and loyalty! At Ohakune, Maria will explain how you can achieve these outcomes in your practice. Finally, consider this: “I think that the loss of work-life balance and the premium it puts on your achievements at work contributes hugely to the stress of working in such firms. As one climbs the greasy pole, it is desperately sad to see the effects this has on individuals and their families as we struggle to prove ourselves - divorces, family breakdowns, addiction and other mental health problems, even suicides. Physically, I became anorexic and quite neurotic. I felt utterly beleaguered and lost faith in the integrity of the firm and potentially in the profession altogether.” These are the words of a young female City lawyer as reported recently by the BBC (26/6/07). They seem to capture the essence of a malaise that has crept into the profession and is affecting the morale, health, performance and profitability of many lawyers and law firms. What can be done about it? Karen Beard-Greer has some answers. She is New Zealand's leading Corporate Wellness Specialist and a much sought-after speaker. She draws not only on her education but her extensive life experiences which, in addition to being a mother and company director, includes eleven years in the corporate environment as an air traffic controller, involvement in competitive sports, and eight years in the health and fitness industry as an educator and personal trainer. At Ohakune, Karen will explain what leading edge organisations are doing to promote a healthy work/life balance. You will be inspired by Karen's dynamic, compassionate and insightful approach to this difficult issue. What will my role be? First, I’ll be your host throughout the week-end. My job will be to welcome everybody and ensure that you will have a superb and worthwhile experience. Second, I will give a brief address at the start of the forum to set the scene. Third, on Saturday before the close, I will facilitate a session whereby I’ll be inviting the guest presenters and delegates to answer your questions or to help you overcome a particular challenge. You will be invited to send me your question or challenge in advance. I will then put it to the group so that your identity remains anonymous. Finally, and on a lighter note, I will also be giving a talk over dinner on Saturday, featuring some of the hilarious moments I have experienced while on the road in my capacity as a professional speaker and hoaxer. As Martin Richardson of Law South in Chichester, UK commented after their annual conference recently, “Simon challenged our thinking in the afternoon then bowled us over with an after dinner speech based on his outstanding ability to mimic”. So be ready for some fun! The Agenda Our time together will look something like this: Friday 1pm 21 September 2007 Introductions over sandwich lunch Simon Tupman – Welcome and overview Ron Pol – Delighting the client of the future Drinks and supper Saturday 22 September 2007 Gerry Riskin – The key to building an extraordinary practice Maria Masterantonio – How to attract and nurture the best talent Ed Bernacki – Finding million dollar ideas Karen Beard-Greer – Achieving your balance ‘State your challenge’ - Q & A panel discussion Dinner The Location and Logistics We will meet in Ohakune at the base of the Turoa skifield at majestic Mount Ruapehu on New Zealand’s North Island on Friday 21-Saturday 22 September 2007. The venue is the superb Powderhorn Chateau situated midway between Auckland and Wellington. The nearest airports are Wanganui (106 kms), Taupo (132 kms) and Palmerston North International Airport (188kms). All are serviced daily by Air New Zealand; Freedom Air has flights into Palmerston North from Australia for those making the trip from Australia. Car hire is available at all airports. Why not arrive early or leave late and get in some skiing at Turoa (weather permitting)? Attire is casual and comfortable. Due to the personal nature of the participation, there will be no recording of the sessions. The Arrangements If staying at the Powderhorn The weekend includes single/double room (if you stay at the Powderhorn Chateau), supper and drinks on Friday evening, two breakfasts (Sat and Sunday), two working lunches (Friday and Saturday), refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks and dinner and drinks on Saturday night. The base fee is AUD$2,300.00 per person. However, you can lower that fee significantly through the following options: Early bird registration: Register by 15 August and pay just $2,000, saving $300; Client: if you are a current or past client of mine (or any of the other presenters or affiliates who have notified you about this event), pay $1,800, saving $500; Colleague: If you choose to attend with a colleague, your colleague may attend for $1,600, saving up to $700. Please note that there are only a limited number of rooms available at the Powderhorn. These have been reserved, so if you wish to stay there, you are advised to make your booking sooner rather than later. If making your own accommodation arrangements School holidays in New Zealand start on 21 September so if you are planning on taking the family skiing and wish to make your own accommodation arrangements, the base fee will be AUD$1,800 per person. This includes all the above except your accommodation and breakfasts. You can lower that fee significantly through the following options: Early bird: Register by 15 August and pay $1,500 saving $300; Client: pay $1,300 saving $500; Colleague: colleague pays $1,100, saving up to $700. To source alternative accommodation, click here. Chalets in Ohakune can be booked through Ruapehu Chalet Rentals. You may pay any way you like! We accept a cheque, direct funds transfer and payments by your favoured credit card. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Amex, or Diners Club. Credit card payments may be made securely using by clicking here. The Small Print At the time of announcement (24 July 2007), all presenters were confirmed to participate. While every effort will be made to ensure their participation, this cannot be guaranteed. Cancellation policy Prior to August 15, full refund less $250 fee; August 15 - 31 50% refundable; September 1 – 21 September no refunds. In the case of non-refundable payments, a full credit will be given against any of my product and service offerings. Reserved places are transferable. 10% of the net profits from this event will be donated to the Fred Hollows Foundation. I look forward to welcoming you to a memorable week-end of inspiring ideas, stimulating company and great food and wine in Ohakune. I hope you'll join me. Click here to register or email me directly at . Alternatively, call my office directly on (612) 6680 9991. Simon Tupman Director, Lawyers With A Life