How Busy Attorneys Take Vacations Without Working The Whole Time
If you’re anything like the rest of Americans, you could probably use a vacation. As more people get vaccinated and more places across the country (and world) open up, it’s looking like 2021 will be the year to get back out there and enjoy yourself.
“But I can’t leave my firm! I’ll have to work the whole time,” you say.
Not quite.
You’re a busy attorney and you deserve to take a break. Not only that, but it’s possible for you to get this break without working from the beach. You just might not know it yet.
A little work to set up some key components to running your law firm now could save you a whole lotta stress and time in the long run. I’m talking maybe even two work-free vacations this year ????
Busy Attorneys Enjoy Work-Free Vacations Through:
- Automation
- Systems & Processes
- Phone Coverage
- Communication With Clients
How Automation Can Help You Enjoy Your Vacay
We’ve talked about it before and surely this won’t be the last time: Automation is one of the greatest tools to have in your belt.
Automation doesn’t have to be computerized – it can simply be a task triggered to someone (preferably someone who is not you) after another task or trigger is completed.
Things you can automate to help you step away from your law firm:
- New Client Intakes
- Client Follow-up
- Payment Agreements
- Accepting Payments
- Client Scheduling
Replicate Yourself With Systems & Processes
You like things done a specific way so you tend to try and do most of it yourself. Or you outsource a task but find yourself frustrated that they didn’t do it the way you do. Sound about right?
If so, you could benefit from documenting your systems and processes so that anyone who takes on the tasks you’ve been doing will do them exactly as you like them done.
Not only will this help you take a vacation without sacrificing your law firm’s productivity, but it will also save you tons of time and stress in your day-to-day!
Some systems & processes you can document and replicate in your law firm:
- Standard client communication practices
- Documentation processes
- Court filings
- Client intake questions
- Case research
- Communication with the courts
- Email organization
- & so much more
Communicate With Your Clients & Return Stress-Free
Even if you’ve put all of the above steps into place, there’s still a chance that your clients will demand your attention. Especially if they have no clue as to why you are seemingly dodging their calls.
The best way to get ahead of this is to communicate prior to silencing your phone. Let your clients (at least, the ones most likely to notice your absence) know that you will be out of the office and give them guidance on how to get in contact with someone else who can help them in the meantime.
You can do this through email, by setting an Out Of Office reply message, and also by updating your phone’s voicemail to provide details of whom to contact for assistance in case their call goes unanswered.
Phone Coverage Is A Vacation-Saver
If there’s only one thing you can do to cover yourself for a vacation, it should be getting your phones covered. Nothing can cramp your vacation style quite like your phone ringing off the hook while you’re trying to relax by the pool.
By ensuring your phones are answered while you’re away, you can ensure your client questions are still handled, lead information is still captured, and appointments can still be booked. Things don’t have to go completely on hold just because you’re not working that week. In fact, it’s best that they don’t so that your workload stays steady once you’re back.
If you don’t already have a dedicated receptionist, the easiest way to do this is to hire an answering service. They can keep the status quo with your callers and ensure that all questions are answered and appointments get booked for after you come back.
If you’ve been searching for a way to take a much-needed vacation this year, give us a call at (800) 958-8591 and discover how Back Office Betties can help you get away, stress-free.
