The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/51267
Workflow collaboration, departmental reorganization and the shrinking organization are resulting components of the interface. Just as social media reshape how industries share knowledge, how professional organizations plan and organize events and how news, blogs and thought-leadership are distributed, these same principles apply throughout the organization and the interconnected client network. Using Six Sigma and project management restructuring principles, organizations can reorganize based on the social media interface, streamlining both personnel and processes. Outsourcing of personnel, technology and innovation development contrasts with an in-house strategy for competitive innovation and is a key shaping force within the organization. This strategic focus is geared toward utilizing the 100 percent Web interface to bridge knowledge-sharing within the firm and externally with clients. Another direct impact for firms will be in the continuing negotiation of alternative fee arrangements and the offering of revenue-generating knowledge management services. Using integrated social media tools as a knowledge-/ communications-sharing interface, the way firms leverage external client portals can only become more targeted, transparent, efficient and streamlined. Client-facing portals in this medium will directly affect the billable hour in that the level of transparency and information-sharing will be targeted through continually evolving, transparent behavior-shifting technology. Challenges will be in leveraging an alternative management structure in the marketing accounts involved with these shared client portals, and in integrating legal-specific vendor-related products with the firm's system through apps. Difficulties will also lie in balancing new levels of transparency and direct accessibility to the client through work-product mapping. The organization restructures with the social media-driven knowledge-sharing environment. Leveraging innovation strategies is key. Continual innovation and adaptation is what will drive the firm's business model and the client/social network. The organization restructures into one that is scalable, seamless and with initiatives to expand with the evolving social media-driven desktop, intranet and interactive communications portal that are both consumer- and enterprise-driven. Just as an individual's identity merges with that of the corporate structure through social media, the corporate entity evolves to both a consumer market and business solutions organization. The future of the law firm is this merging of identities. ILTA Eric Hunter is the Director of Knowledge Management at Bradford & Barthel, LLP, where he is currently integrating a Googledriven social media, knowledge and collaboration environment. Eric speaks and writes globally on competitive strategy and collaborative cloud solutions. He can be reached at ehunter@bradfordbarthel.com. 62 www.iltanet.org Peer to Peer Profiscience - P AR TNERS THE SCIENCE BEHIND PROFICIENCY We've got the key you've been looking for Learning Management UniversitySite SharePoint Integration SharePoint Learning Kit Skill Assessment SkillSite More learning. Less training. Learning management made simple. Profiscience Partners can unlock the portal to Learning and Performance Management Leverage technology investments & resources Improve organizational performance Meet bottom line objectives Produce better lawyers Win more business www.profiscience.com