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Soft-Skills Training

Special THANKS to Velsoft for creating this introduction video. To view a similar video as well as download a free soft-skills course, go to www.softskillsforlawfirms.com. Soft-Skills Training. WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY. Soft-Skills Agenda. 1. Define Soft Skills.

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Soft-Skills Training

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  1. Special THANKSto Velsoft for creating this introduction video.To view a similar video as well as download a free soft-skills course, go to www.softskillsforlawfirms.com

  2. Soft-Skills Training WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

  3. Soft-Skills Agenda 1 Define Soft Skills Who, What, When, Where and Why 2 Obstacles 3 4 How to Start

  4. Wiki Defines Wiki Basic Definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skills • A sociological term relating to a person's "EQ" (Emotional Intelligence Quotient), the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills. • Also know as behavioral competencies, interpersonal skills or people skills.

  5. Wiki Definition continued Legal Reference • It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer.(Giuseppe Giusti, Soft Skills for Lawyers) IT Reference • Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that when IT Professionals acquire soft skills, better relationships are built between IT and the other business units within the enterprise, fostering alignment. A key element of IT Professionals building these relationships is their ability to communicate, it has been suggested that communication is a measurable and improvable type of intelligence, "CQ" (Communication Quotient). • (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals) Legal Reference • It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer.(Giuseppe Giusti, Soft Skills for Lawyers) IT Reference • Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that when IT Professionals acquire soft skills, better relationships are built between IT and the other business units within the enterprise, fostering alignment. A key element of IT Professionals building these relationships is their ability to communicate, it has been suggested that communication is a measurable and improvable type of intelligence, "CQ" (Communication Quotient). • (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals)

  6. www.wordle.net

  7. Sample Exercise • Back-2-Back Drawing – Round 1 • Experience receiving direction without non-verbal cues. • Communication • Collaboration • Back-2-Back Drawing – Round 2 • Person is allowed to ask yes/no question How does your drawing look?

  8. Other Potential Drawings:

  9. Back-2-Back Drawing • Debrief • What was it like to give directions? • What was it like to receive directions without being allowed to ask questions? • Why do you think the pictures in the room are so different? • Do you think the people receive or perceive the same instructions the same? • What’s stopping you from asking questions? • Do you know your teammates well enough to communication effectively?

  10. Soft-Skills Training WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY can benefit? types are effective? is an effective time to offer? are valuable resources? offer these courses? HOW toincorporate some soft skills training at your firm?

  11. Staff Assistants Paralegals Attorneys Clients YOU EVERYONE WHO can benefit?

  12. Seminars/Workshops • Practice Groups • Client Teams • General Group Session • Online • Informal Meetings • Retreats WHAT types are effective?

  13. Relevant • Consistent • Part of Overall Firm Goals and Objectives WHEN is an effective time to offer?

  14. Firm Personnel • Local Companies • Customized Courses • Online Courses/Videos • Books • Web • ILTA !!! WHERE are good resources? See Resource document for additional information on the above resources.

  15. Employee • Provide an environment that fosters growth (personally and professionally) • Best Employees want to get better and weaker need opportunities to get better. • Supervisors/Managers • Increased job satisfaction and morale • Reduced turnover • Increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods • Firm • Increased efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial gain. • Enhanced company image • Increase the goal of achieving company goals and objectives WHY offer these courses?

  16. Who to start with? • What should we start with? • Where am I going to find time? • When is best time? • Now we understand WHY this never seems to happen! to get started? HOW

  17. Obstacles • No centralized training department • Core competencies have not been clearly defined • Absence of leadership and direction has results in lack of focus and continuity • Lack of time and resources “Developing Effective Client Service Teams: A Whole New Approach”Peer to Peer Magazine, Professional Development Issue, August 2005 by Theresa Lundquist, Perfect Access Speer

  18. Overcoming Obstacles • Focus on Collaboration • Utilize the expertise of the various people withinthe firm • Draft an outline and getthe approval of management • Focus on Collaboration Move toward training and education that is Strategic

  19. ChangeManagement Team Building Time Management Critical Thinking Collaboration Info. Technology Litigation Support Legal Support Services Human Resources Assistants Staff Library Resources Project Management Word Processing Attorneys Paralegals Practice Group Management Assessment

  20. ...but... How do we Do this?

  21. HOW to put together a Soft Skills program Six month plan Main focus on Collaboration Training that is Strategic

  22. Resources Guide upload with PowerPoint

  23. HOW? Firm training WHERE WHAT WHEN resources? best time? type? General Intranet Dale Carnegie Dale Carnegie Tips Videos Weekly Monthly Change Management Local EAP(Employee Assisted Program) Velsoft Online Training 5th month Group Meeting Online Course

  24. HOW? Staff training WHERE WHAT WHEN resources? best time? type? Team Building 1st Month One group per month Velsoft Mind Tool Exercises Small Seminars with various groups Accounting, Business Development, Human Resources, IS Department Members from previous group help with next group.

  25. HOW? Assistant training WHERE WHAT WHEN resources? best time? type? Book Review 2nd Month Group Discussion Wiki (Remote Offices) Who Moved My Cheese Choose several people to help with next session. Team Building Velsoft Mind Tool Exercises 4th month Online Course

  26. HOW? Attorney training WHERE WHAT WHEN resources? best time? type? Public Speaking Based on Interest (New Associates) Toast Masters Toast Masters Team Building Mind Tool Exercises (Request 15 minutes) Velsoft 3rd MonthPractice Groups Exercise Online Course Depending on interest ask an attorney to speak on future topics.

  27. HOW? Future look at potential programs • Associate Boot Camp • Attorney Mentoring Program • Communication Skills • Listening • Time Management • Assistant Mentoring/Team Program • Certificate Program for Staff Training

  28. HOW? Individual Sessions Our focus has been on the attorneys • Associate Boot Camp • Organization • Time Management • Working with Your Assistant(Courtesy, Respect, Communication, Team Building) • Attorney Mentoring Program • Communication Skills • Listening • Time Management • Commercials - Movies • Seven Steps to Getting a “Date”

  29. HOW? Individual Sessions Our focus has been on the attorneys • Various Attorney Lead Presentations • Generation: Can’t We All Just Get Along • One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey • Lessons from an Irate In-House Counsel • Fixed Fees: Historical look at Law Firms • Commercials - Movies • Seven Steps to Getting a “Date” • Social Media Sessions

  30. Under Our Umbrella Get Started! Keep an Eye on the Future… Don’t make it Hard! Build Team Work!!

  31. GO! Thanks!

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