Page 56 - Professional Services Networks
P. 56
The Handbook: Law Firm Networks
Meeting planning is first required in Level 2 networks. The leadership must decide who should participate.
This will depend on whether it is the principal contacts, practice groups, administrative personnel, or others.
In Level 2 organizations, one finds different types of meetings. However, because they are Level 2 networks,
the meetings are not particularly complex. A meeting planner at one of the member firms can easily organize
them.
Level 3 network meetings represent the full range of meetings: member-to-member meetings, practice
groups, industry groups, meetings at other events, regional meetings, and annual meetings. All are different
in their organization, attendance, and outcome. Each level serves a different purpose in promoting members
and the network.
The annual meeting is common to all networks. The networks have direct costs, such as hotel, audiovisual,
meals, promotional materials, printed materials, travel, staff, and more. The members will incur meals,
lodging, and related expenses. Depending on how the meetings are organized, the members will pay
registration fees and perhaps incidental entertainment costs. A global meeting of 100 professionals can have
direct costs to the network of more than $100,000 and indirect costs to members (travel, meals, hotel, etc.) of
more than $300,000.
Level 2 networks’ annual meetings are larger and may take place over more than one day. Because the
networks are organized around a very small support staff, the meetings are usually held at the offices of one
of the members. The subjects covered are typically specific topics dealing with the particular profession.
There may be a registration fee to cover some of the costs.
Several hundred participants may attend a Level 3 network annual meeting in hotels or convention centers.
There is always a registration fee. The meeting may cost several hundred thousands of dollars. While the
meeting panels cover topics of interest in the profession, annual meeting sessions may include more general
subjects of interests such as the economy, politics, technology, etc.
Regional meetings are common in Level 2 and Level 3 networks. The purpose of the regional meetings
varies from network to network. In some networks the purpose is to introduce and develop regional
relationships. In others, an additional purpose is to bring all members who have an interest in the region
together irrespective of whether they are actually part of the network.
In the case of a meeting limited to the regional members, it may have more of an organizational focus. The
subjects discussed are the interests in the local region as distinguished from other areas, and how the
members can collaborate, refer business, and exchange information.
Practice groups are commonly found in Level 2 and 3 networks.264 The objective is to address the needs of
specific individuals for developing relationships. They may have independent meetings or ones held in
conjunction with the annual meeting. Practice groups may also invite clients to attend, thus using them as a
marketing tool.265 By building on these interests, the entire network is strengthened.
Not all of the time is devoted to the network itself. The network can bring together panels on subjects or
speakers to address the issues of the day, practice area issues, or issues in management of professional firms.
In professional services networks, particularly at Levels 2 and 3, the attendees are professionals involved in
the management of the firm. Panelists of members are also useful in discussing best practices. The panels can
save firms considerable money for those who are trying some new technology.
264 INTERLAW, supra note 161.
265 ALFA International, Staying Ahead of the Curve: Practical Guidance, Updates, and Strategies for Insurance Professionals, ALFA
INTERNATIONAL (2013), www.alfainternational.com/filebin/events/2013_Insurance_Brochure.pdf.
- 44 -
Meeting planning is first required in Level 2 networks. The leadership must decide who should participate.
This will depend on whether it is the principal contacts, practice groups, administrative personnel, or others.
In Level 2 organizations, one finds different types of meetings. However, because they are Level 2 networks,
the meetings are not particularly complex. A meeting planner at one of the member firms can easily organize
them.
Level 3 network meetings represent the full range of meetings: member-to-member meetings, practice
groups, industry groups, meetings at other events, regional meetings, and annual meetings. All are different
in their organization, attendance, and outcome. Each level serves a different purpose in promoting members
and the network.
The annual meeting is common to all networks. The networks have direct costs, such as hotel, audiovisual,
meals, promotional materials, printed materials, travel, staff, and more. The members will incur meals,
lodging, and related expenses. Depending on how the meetings are organized, the members will pay
registration fees and perhaps incidental entertainment costs. A global meeting of 100 professionals can have
direct costs to the network of more than $100,000 and indirect costs to members (travel, meals, hotel, etc.) of
more than $300,000.
Level 2 networks’ annual meetings are larger and may take place over more than one day. Because the
networks are organized around a very small support staff, the meetings are usually held at the offices of one
of the members. The subjects covered are typically specific topics dealing with the particular profession.
There may be a registration fee to cover some of the costs.
Several hundred participants may attend a Level 3 network annual meeting in hotels or convention centers.
There is always a registration fee. The meeting may cost several hundred thousands of dollars. While the
meeting panels cover topics of interest in the profession, annual meeting sessions may include more general
subjects of interests such as the economy, politics, technology, etc.
Regional meetings are common in Level 2 and Level 3 networks. The purpose of the regional meetings
varies from network to network. In some networks the purpose is to introduce and develop regional
relationships. In others, an additional purpose is to bring all members who have an interest in the region
together irrespective of whether they are actually part of the network.
In the case of a meeting limited to the regional members, it may have more of an organizational focus. The
subjects discussed are the interests in the local region as distinguished from other areas, and how the
members can collaborate, refer business, and exchange information.
Practice groups are commonly found in Level 2 and 3 networks.264 The objective is to address the needs of
specific individuals for developing relationships. They may have independent meetings or ones held in
conjunction with the annual meeting. Practice groups may also invite clients to attend, thus using them as a
marketing tool.265 By building on these interests, the entire network is strengthened.
Not all of the time is devoted to the network itself. The network can bring together panels on subjects or
speakers to address the issues of the day, practice area issues, or issues in management of professional firms.
In professional services networks, particularly at Levels 2 and 3, the attendees are professionals involved in
the management of the firm. Panelists of members are also useful in discussing best practices. The panels can
save firms considerable money for those who are trying some new technology.
264 INTERLAW, supra note 161.
265 ALFA International, Staying Ahead of the Curve: Practical Guidance, Updates, and Strategies for Insurance Professionals, ALFA
INTERNATIONAL (2013), www.alfainternational.com/filebin/events/2013_Insurance_Brochure.pdf.
- 44 -
