How conveyancing firms can “work smarter”

In a post-pandemic world, we ask what lessons have been learned and look at recent research findings that could help conveyancers easily employ “smarter working” practices.

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Lockdown restrictions triggered an evolution in the approach to work, and the day-to-day landscape now looks significantly different, with accelerated working from home practices, often undertaken whilst balancing the needs of family members also affected by the measures.

Conveyancing solicitors and other legal professionals are adjusting to new remote service delivery formats, maintaining team and client connections despite challenging market conditions. Research carried out by a consultancy with strong engagement amongst the legal profession offers some suggestions on how firms can adjust their business models, ensuring safe working practices, whilst meeting client preferences.

Transformation

The “strongest sentiment” reported by the smart working focus group was a desire to continue with the new normal to support well-being, promote flexibility and delivery of continued effectiveness and productivity. The research discussions indicated a growing need for businesses to adopt employee driven propositions to work around the circumstances and needs of individuals.

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Key principles

Based on the findings, key principles have been defined and business leaders are being encouraged to promote these important practices within their teams:

– Trust, to work effectively remotely

– Employee engagement in shaping future business models

– Leadership that comes from a place of real empathy and clear communication of the future vision

– Confidence building from the top down in rolling out the transition to the new workplace norm

Embracing the change

The global pandemic has forced a rapid acceleration to online accessibility and delivery. This applies also to the traditional customer base which may previously have preferred face to face appointments with their legal and conveyancing practices and which now desires a remote alternative. This client group is now far more likely to conduct an Internet search such as do you need conveyancing solicitors? and be comfortable with continuing their experience digitally.

It’s vital that conveyancing teams now think about their business development with this online transition in mind, which will be critical for future client on-boarding and implications on compliance such as fraud prevention and Know Your Customer.

Lockdown has shown the business community that continuity can be maintained with collaborative tools, and video links organisations must continue to think flexibly about their future business models.