Thought leadership is not about repurposing others’ material but constantly producing our own. This enables us to test new concepts, challenge the status quo and constantly seek to improve upon processes and methods. That’s why publishing relevant, actionable content is vitally important to us. We produce an award-winning pricing blog and provide our subscribers with quality, curated content from around the globe. We are regularly commissioned to produce articles for the profession’s pre-eminent publications including Managing Partner, Global Lawyer, Commonwealth Law Journal, The Times (London) and the Pricing Journal.
“My focus at Managing Partner magazine is to deliver high-quality content which pushes management thinking and best practice forward in law firms. I have worked with Richard Burcher since 2013 to develop thought leadership content on pricing strategies and I look forward to continuing to do so.” - Manju Manglani, Editor, Managing Partner
Fixed Fees: Here Be Dragons!
Let us say at the outset that we are strong proponents of fixed fees, even in areas of work where they have not been particularly prevalent such as dispute resolution. We believe that they should be used much more than they are to the benefit of both firms and clients.
However, two articles hit our inbox recently, which both in their own way reaffirmed the widespread misunderstanding on the part of law firms as to how best to deploy fixed fees, and an equally profound lack of understanding on the part of many clients as to how fixed fees must be structured.
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (8th May 2018)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (9th April 2018)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
Pricing Self-Assessment Health Check
Most firms now recognise that pricing strategy and execution requires considerably more focus and effort than has historically been the case. But as with any initiative, the starting point should be a critical appraisal of how we are doing currently. Only by taking a candid and honest view of the current state of affairs do we have a basis for deciding what is required to make improvements and how to prioritise those efforts.
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (5th March 2018)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
'Yes, we can do it for that price; 'What would you like me to leave out?'
"I am sick and tired of asking my external law firms for a garden shed and getting a bloody office tower and a bill to match!"
So opined [verbatim] a very frustrated FTSE 100 GC in a casual conversation with us recently.
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (5th February 2018)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
I used to think I was indecisive but now I'm not sure
Pricing improvement initiatives in law firms are unfortunately often characterised by confusion and indecision over why the initiative is required, what the initiative is intended to achieve and therefore what it should look like.
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (5th January 2018)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (4th December 2017)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
Can We Use Price Increases to Manage Supply and Demand?
“Should we be nervous about turning away work? I think the concern here is that people will consider we are too small, or that we cannot be relied upon to help when needed, or just that we will drop off people's lists. Personally, I feel we should be less sensitive about this: we are not unlimited in size, and nor do we want to be. If therefore we are turning away work, it is because we have too much already, which is a good sign, and because we have a sensible and prudent approach to taking on more work, which is a good sign too. Obviously, we need to message it right, but do you agree with this as a matter of principle?”
Validatum Pricing Espresso® - (30th October 2017)
With Validatum Pricing Espresso® we aim to bring you your regular pricing 'shot' - the best, most interesting, thought provoking and informative material we can find globally which will be of interest, relevance and help to you in your legal services pricing challenges. [Note: we don't always agree with the content of others that we post but the philosophy of Validatum Pricing Espresso® is shared perspectives, not a personal 'soap-box']
