Client Development Coaching Who In Your Firm Deserves Coaching

Developing the Next Generation of Rainmakers Client Development Coaching: Who in your firm deserves coaching? I received the answer to that question in an email I received Monday night, after making a lunch presentation to law firm associates on preparing their 2014 Development/Business plan. You might recall that last Friday I wrote that I would be making this presentation on Monday: Law Firm Associates: My Thoughts on Preparing Your 2014 Plan. I really enjoyed giving the presentation. The associates were interested, engaged and asked great questions. I am confident when they create their 2014 plan, it will be far more than something they are required to submit like a homework assignment. Here is a portion of the email I received from the office Manager of Professional Growth and Managment: Thank you again for speaking to our associates today. I wanted to let you know that I received very positive feedback. More importantly, I think some of them “got it”. Your words had great impact more specifically on three of our associates who have decided to form a BD support group to help each other, bounce ideas and make themselves accountable (much like the gym buddy you refered to in your presentation). They are very motivated. They met right after your presentation to continue the discussion and are eager to put what they learned in action. Lawyers who listen to me and decide to form their own group to motivate each other and hold each other accountable  are the lawyers who deserve coaching. I know I can help those lawyers.  In this case I will have the opportunity to have a session with the three lawyers when I am back at their office in February. What lawyers do not deserve client development coaching? Would you, and lawyers in your firm, start your own client/business development group? If so, you are the lawyers your firm should invest in through coaching. I practiced law for 37 years developing a national construction law practice representing some of the top highway and transportation construction contractors in the US.