The 80/20 Principle Ernie Svenson

Gabriel Marous is a New York business lawyer who runs his firm, making extensive use of VAs based in the Philippines. He had to figure out for himself how to recruit, hire, train, and manage his team of 10 VAs. Now, he helps other lawyers and business owners do the same. In this episode, you'll learn how he started doing this, what mistakes he made and overcame, and how you can take advantage of overseas VAs just like he has done.
In this episode, you will hear:
Leveraging overseas virtual assistants in business Transitioning to overseas virtual assistants Setting up virtual team operations Virtual office and Zoom integration Finding and developing virtual assistants Building a remote team for professionals Managing multiple applications and cybersecurity Leveraging 80-20 principle for success Resources from this Episode
LinkedIn: The primary platform mentioned for connecting with Gabriel J Marous personally. Marus Law: Gabriel J Marous's law firm VA for Professionals: Mentioned as Gabriel J Marous's service Magic: A service mentioned for finding virtual assistants. Time Doctor: A tool discussed for monitoring and time tracking. LastPass: Mentioned as a tool for managing passwords securely. Clio Conference: Recommended for lawyers seeking to enhance their Clio usage and connect with experts in the legal tech field. Upwork: Mentioned as a platform for finding freelancers and remote workers. Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Readwise (will be discussed in an upcoming episode) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice General Resources
Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.

Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Thanks to My Sponsor
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.
If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.
Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).
And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://em

How can you be more productive and enjoy doing so? Merely checking off boxes on a To-Do list isn't the answer. Attorney David Sparks has the best answer I've come across, and he explains it very well.
David is exceptionally productive in juggling a mind-boggling number of responsibilities. Listen and learn David's incredible secrets to being productive in a way that enables you to accomplish a lot while feeling good (and not stressed).
In this episode, you will hear:
Productivity tips for attorneys Productivity and prioritization in modern life Finding meaning and accountability Finding purpose and productivity Productivity and time management for lawyers Resources from this Episode
MacSparky - David Sparks' website Day One - Journaling app mentioned in the conversation Motion - Tool for automatic calendar adjustments "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek - Book mentioned in the conversation Arete - Concept discussed, related to Greek philosophy David Sparks' productivity field guide: Use this discount code: Goldfish Chris Bailey's Website - Explore more about Chris Bailey and his productivity insights Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Readwise (will be discussed in an upcoming episode) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice  General Resources
Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.

Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Thanks to My Sponsor
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.
If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.
Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).
And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.


 

 As we all know, modern technology can create powerful leverage in any business. Unfortunately, it's complex and rapidly changing, which creates big challenges—especially for lawyers.
Most lawyers lack the instincts to know what to focus on and prioritize, so they often make big mistakes when using technology. Fortunately, the five biggest mistakes can be avoided if you know what they are and how to avoid them. Listen and find out how.
In this episode, you will hear:
Avoiding lawyer technology adoption mistakes Avoiding technology mistakes in law Leveraging technology for maximum success Outsourcing receptionist services with Smith AI Cost-effective tech consultation for lawyers Resources from this Episode
- Jared Correia (Red Cave Legal) for advice on practice management software: https://redcavelegal.com/about/ 
https://redcavelegal.com/ 
- Otter.ai (best meeting transcription tool using AI) - https://otter.ai/referrals/7V69G9OV 
- My Top Tech Tools Guide for Lawyers - https://frictionless-lawyering.craft.me/Top-Tech-Tools 
- Check out my Inner Circle (for useful discussions about tech tools recommended for lawyers) - https://ernietheattorney.net/inner-circle-community/ 
- Check out my Law Practice Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice - https://law-practice-assessment.scoreapp.com/p/podcast
General Resources
Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free)

Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Thanks to My Sponsor
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.
If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.
Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).
And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.


 

 AI Chatbots powered by GPT-4 technology are improving rapidly so the opportunities are expanding for lawyers who want to leverage this to improve aspects of their practices. But which GPT4 chatbots are best? And what are the best opportunities for using them in your practice? That's what we'll cover in this episode.
In this episode, you will hear:
The emergence of generative AI chatbots and their implications for the legal industry Maximizing the features of advanced AI writing models The use of RAG and proprietary data to mitigate AI “hallucinations”  Strategic use of AI for ideation and Grammarly for writing More ways to think about implementing AI effectively Resources from this Episode
Ethan Mollick's article: Which Al should I use? Superpowers and the State of Play Ethan Mollick's upcoming book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI Ethan Mollick's Substack: One Useful Thing Link to Bloomberg podcast episode: Why Are Lawyers Still Making Bad Al Mistakes? Grammarly (tech tool recommendation) Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want my recommendations for improving your practice with technology. General Resources
Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.

Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Thanks to My Sponsor
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.
If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.
Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).
And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.


 

 LinkedIn is a goldmine for professional referrals. Think of it as a 24-hour networking event that runs 365 days a year.  You can "attend" asynchronously and easily generate new referrals without spending a lot of time "working the room.”
In this episode, you will hear:
24/7 receptionist and chatbot services Unlocking LinkedIn's potential Crafting effective taglines for lawyers Optimizing LinkedIn profile for SEO Leveraging linkedin for networking success  Resources from this Episode
My LinkedIn page My LinkedIn post about "Most lawyers won't like this" Justin Welsh's LinkedIn page Justin Welsh's LinkedIn course ($150 or $97) Justin Welsh's free post about LinkedIn strategy Canva image-creating tool (to make LinkedIn banner) Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about marketing, tech tools, and more Check out my short Law-Tech Assessment for specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice General Resources
Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.

Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Thanks to My Sponsor
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.
If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.
Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).
And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.


 

Podcasts are valuable troves of knowledge. And yet it's notoriously challenging to capture insights and take notes on things you want to remember.
But now there's a magic solution that you'll definitely appreciate knowing about that you'll learn all about in this episode.
In this episode, you will hear:
Leveraging podcasts for professional growth Essential features for podcast listening Features and benefits of Snipd app Leveraging 80/20 Principle for success Resources from this Episode
Get a 30-day free trial of Snipd: The Tim Ferriss Show (podcast) Cal Newport's Deep Questions (e.g., Episode 287 on Minimalist Notes) Loom video demonstration of Snipd I did for folks in my Inner Circle Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Readwise (will be discussed in an upcoming episode) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice  General Resources
Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.

Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Thanks to My Sponsor
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.
If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.
Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).
And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.