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  Aquila D’oro Coffee Roastery: 11 TRENDS REDEFINING THE LEGAL WORKING ENVIROMENT

  07 Mar 2016 by Johan / No Comments

   

  Change, our only constant. Shorter product life cycles, Increased demand for R&D combined with a higher demand for capital whilst navigating your way through the pitfalls of the National Credit Act. The rollercoaster ride, keeping up with global economic shifts has created a series of triggers and trends within our legal environment. The modern world is evolving, management styles, attitudes and organizational cultures are changing the very nature and platform of the legal environment as we got to know it.

   

  11 Trends causing a shift in the legal environment:

  1. E-Discovery: Simply put, this means that more legal documents are exchanged in digital format. Emails, instant messages, voicemails, e-calendars, graphics and data on smartphones are now viable resources in litigation. The digital age has also created a gap in the job market as new skills are needed in general litigation support, e-discovery and trial technology.
  2. The 4 generational workforce: Traditionalists, baby boomers, Generation X and Y are working together in the business environment for the first time and have to find new ways to get along and get the job done. In most legal firms trying to bridge the 50 year age gap and conflicting personality types has proven to be a difficult task. Communication in particular is a hurdle, with the younger generation showing preference towards instant communication in the form of whatsapps and tweets whereas their older counterparts still set on emailing and phone calls to deliver a message. Legal firms need to find new ways to shake off negative stereotypes, many seniors see generation Y individuals as tech-obsessed, self-obsessed kids. The flipside is evident, too, generation Y sees the senior generation as stubborn and old fashioned.
  3. Social media: Social media platforms are becoming sharp instruments in the legal toolkit. It’s changed the way legal experts find new employees, find new jobs, find out industry information, deal with damage control and create brand awareness for the firm. Experts say that social media will transform legal firms in the next 5 years. The following legal-orientated social media sites have grown in popularity in recent years. Martindale.com (Connected) – Almost 30,000 members are subscribed to the site, Connected is one of the world’s largest professional networking communities created exclusively for the legal teams.Lawyrs.net – an international law community centred on lawyers and law students.MyParalegal Space – a social networking site for the paralegal community.Pivotal Discovery – a new site that caters to litigation support and e-discovery professionals.
  4. Legal outsourcing: There’s a growing trend of Legal Process Outsourcing in the legal environment, where outside companies either situated locally or overseas take on the work of attorneys and paralegals for instance. The shift allows the firm to focus on their internal skills and processes, helps them lower costs, save time and be more flexible in their daily activities.
  5.  Work-life balance: The harsh economy has put tremulous pressure on legal firms, expecting employees to work longer and harder and take on more responsibility. Because of this stressful work environment, more value has been placed on personal time away from the office, legal professionals are hence demanding more work-life balance in the form of flex-time, part-time work, temporary leave and shorter work hours. Free time is becoming just as important as money in the legal environment.
  6.  Customer centric: Law firms have adopted a marketing way of thinking, they are more focused on customer service and giving customers a positive experience when entering their premises. A warm welcome, fresh coffee and a wifi hotspot has become just as important to the customer as legal advice.
  7.  Globalization: The legal environment is less restricted than ever before, intercontinental mergers are taking place which are quickly blurring country borders, legal teams are making use of technology as a way to seek professional advice from professionals all over the world.
  8. Environmental consciousness: Legal teams across the globe have adopted a green approach to business as the green movement has grown momentum. Law firms are more involved in reducing carbon emissions and corporate social responsibility than ever before.
  9. Virtual law firms: Legal professionals now have the ability to work anywhere thanks to secure-web based technologies and high tech smartphones.
  10.  Non-lawyer professionals: An increase in competition in the legal environment has created space in the market for non-lawyer professionals who provide legal assistance to those who need it. Those who can’t afford lawyers settle for paralegal technicians, legal document prepares, virtual legal assistants and self-help websites.11.
  11. Alternative billing: The legal industry is steering away from the infamous bill by the hour model and the trend is now to give customers fixed, flat, blended or capped fees.

   

  At Aquila Doro Coffee roasters, we continue to drive and live up to our group core Pillars of Excellence,

   

  • Become one with your brand.

  • Being on top of any and all triggers and trends within your industry.

  • Non Negotiable service excellence.  

   

  This passion have driven high-end coffee solutions to both corporate and entrepreneurial organizations throughout South Africa.

   

  Best Regards.

  Aquila Doro – Research & Development Team.

  

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