Page 33 - Lawyers and Accountants - The Future of the Professions
P. 33
Lawyers and Accountants 2019 -
Social Media
Social media is key because networks and associations require an independent means to deliver their
messages. The reality is that legal media will rarely publish an article on networks. When there is an
article, the subject matter is always the same. Something similar takes place in accounting. While
there will be articles about events like a new executive director or the loss of a key member, the
press tends to focus on the Big Four.
AILFN has used social media to its advantage. The Independent Business Law Firm newsletter had
5,000 subscribers. Downloads of our publications include 17,300 of The Handbook: Law Firm
Networks, 12,000 of Leaders in Legal Business, and 3,000 copies of The 1,000 Leaders and Influencers
in Legal Business. A database of more than 26,000 individually-selected attorneys, legal
entrepreneurs, and law firm managing partners, academics, the legal media, and anyone else
interested in the business of law are now kept fully informed about networks. AILFN has 17,000-plus
followers on LinkedIn. Information on networks has been viewed an estimated 750,000 times on
social media.
3. Internal Education and Relationships
It is little value if no one in the legal and accounting professions is aware of a collaboration strategy
except the firms and their professionals who participate in the consolidation. What is required is to
establish a focus that complements existing practices without creating a different layer of activities.
This is where AILFN’s websites can be utilized.
As such, organizations must enter the relationship with a thirst for new knowledge and be committed
to the mutual growth so they can reach their objectives. Learning must be fostered, encouraged, and
supported through knowledge management systems. This would include publications, websites, and
social media.
30
Social Media
Social media is key because networks and associations require an independent means to deliver their
messages. The reality is that legal media will rarely publish an article on networks. When there is an
article, the subject matter is always the same. Something similar takes place in accounting. While
there will be articles about events like a new executive director or the loss of a key member, the
press tends to focus on the Big Four.
AILFN has used social media to its advantage. The Independent Business Law Firm newsletter had
5,000 subscribers. Downloads of our publications include 17,300 of The Handbook: Law Firm
Networks, 12,000 of Leaders in Legal Business, and 3,000 copies of The 1,000 Leaders and Influencers
in Legal Business. A database of more than 26,000 individually-selected attorneys, legal
entrepreneurs, and law firm managing partners, academics, the legal media, and anyone else
interested in the business of law are now kept fully informed about networks. AILFN has 17,000-plus
followers on LinkedIn. Information on networks has been viewed an estimated 750,000 times on
social media.
3. Internal Education and Relationships
It is little value if no one in the legal and accounting professions is aware of a collaboration strategy
except the firms and their professionals who participate in the consolidation. What is required is to
establish a focus that complements existing practices without creating a different layer of activities.
This is where AILFN’s websites can be utilized.
As such, organizations must enter the relationship with a thirst for new knowledge and be committed
to the mutual growth so they can reach their objectives. Learning must be fostered, encouraged, and
supported through knowledge management systems. This would include publications, websites, and
social media.
30
