P2P

P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · F A L L 2 0 2 5 9 The result? Adoption strategies that miss the mark for different groups or, worse, inconsistent adoption across the firm. The business impact is real. If an attorney struggles with a new system and their admin isn't confident in it either, frustration builds quickly. Missed deadlines, duplication of effort, and resistance to future rollouts all stem from this gap. HOW FIRMS CAN EMPOWER ADMIN STAFF Here are practical, real-world strategies firms can use to position administrative professionals as technology adoption champions: Admin Inclusion in Pilot Groups • Action: Before firmwide rollouts, include secretaries and paralegals in pilot testing alongside attorneys. • Impact: Provides admins with early exposure, enabling them to anticipate both partner and non-partner workflows and position themselves as trusted go-to resources as adoption scales. • Example: Secretaries who piloted a new DMS became the primary point of support for attorneys, significantly easing the rollout. Feedback Loops with Practice Groups • Action: Create structured channels for admins to share adoption challenges by practice group. • Impact: Surfaces workflow differences early, ensuring adoption strategies feel relevant across the firm. • Example: Set up quarterly meetings where attorneys and admin staff share what's working, what's not, with new tools. Recognition and Visibility • Action: Highlight administrative professionals who model adoption in firm newsletters, town halls, or rollout communications. • Impact: Sends a clear message that admins are valued partners in change, encouraging others to follow their lead. • Example: Spotlight secretaries as "tech champion" during a DMS rollout, boosting morale and motivating peers to adopt faster. Together, these strategies shift admins from being "reactors" to becoming drivers of adoption.

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