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We’ve been talking about innovation in law for a long time. And even though we agree that we have a long way to go, still not much actually gets done.
Has innovation in law become like intimacy in high school? Everyone talks about it, but very few, if any, do it.
For all the focus on people, process, and technology in the collective discourse, let’s discuss what innovation in law is not.
One, social media activities. Posting about opportunities to improve, funny technology moments, and complaining that nothing has changed in law since the dark ages is fun. It may even engage your followers and lead to some productive discussions on- and off-line. But at some point, you to have a specific discovery, plan, and execution that applies to your people, process, and technology. Things have to change. Social media is not a meaningful substitute for the time, commitment, and investment of resources that it takes to modernize your legal department or legal practice.
Two, volume discounts. So, you’ve made a couple of changes. Maybe even now your vendors and law firms give you some volume discounts. You report to your CEO that you were able to save around 10 percent. That’s great! Really, it is — we all start somewhere, and cutting costs around the edges is a great starting point. But make no mistake, it is just that — a place to start! Even with all those new savings, you still have a long way to go. The people, process, and technology await! And if you are serious about saving money, I am certain that you can save even more, much more, if you innovate.
Three, awards. I get it, I love shiny reminders of achievement, too! And, it’s fun to celebrate an occasion with well-dressed friends and colleagues, especially around a good meal and good wine. And yes, the pictures look fantastic on LinkedIn. But again, let’s be clear: Awards and award ceremonies, even those that recognize innovation, are not themselves innovation. After you receive an award, you return to the same office where archaic processes have reigned supreme. And whether you prominently display the shiny plaque in your office or reception area, the cold reality is that to modernize your legal department or legal practice you will need to focus on (yep, you guessed it!) people, process, and technology. Things will need to change.
Change is hard. On the one hand, everyone wants a change. On the other hand, everyone is afraid of it. But true innovation cannot happen without meaningful change. That’s the point, after all — to end up with a product, process, or system that’s fundamentally different from what you started with. Innovation has to go beyond appearances, to the building blocks of any successful enterprise and department. And the building blocks of any successful enterprise? People, process, technology.
Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. Olga founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. Olga also co-founded SunLaw, an organization dedicated to preparing women in-house attorneys to become general counsels and legal leaders, and WISE to help female law firm partners become rainmakers. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can email Olga at olga@olgamack.com or follow her on Twitter @olgavmack.