The 80/20 Principle Ernie Svenson

 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.


 

In this episode, you'll learn how a Virginia lawyer found the best business coach to help his firm implement principles from the popular book “Traction” (by Gino Wickman). Listen as Kellam Parks shares the process he used to research and vet candidates, and why he says the decision to hire a coach was "transformative." He also explains exactly why the principles in Traction are so helpful in growing a modern law practice.
In this episode, you will hear:
The benefits of applying the business book "Traction" to law practices Some challenges traditional law firms face Understanding the concept of Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) The challenges and benefits of coaching for solo lawyers Implementing EOS and finding the right coach The importance of generosity as a core value Resources from this Episode
- Stephanie Everett (the coach Kellam hired)
- Lawyerist Labs (group coaching program)
- Melissa Shanahan (Velocity Work)
- Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Handbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell (business coach to Steve Jobs and Eric Schmidt)
- Charlie Munger's Psychology of Human Misjudgment
- The Moment, podcast by Brian Koppleman (creator of Showtime's Billions)
- Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, by Gino Wickman
- Fireproof: A Five-Step Model to Take Your Law Firm from Unpredictable to Wildly Profitable, by Michael Morse
- The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea, by Bob Burg
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.


 

Hackers repeatedly use the same common ploys to fool most people most easily. Avoid becoming a victim by learning about these ploys and by using a tech tool that too many people do not know about (or use if they do know). In this episode, you'll learn about six excellent recommendations the AARP believes can protect people online. And learn more about the one that's most beneficial for everyone who uses the Internet via computer, tablet device, or smartphone.
In this episode, you will hear:
Technology in efficient law practices
The importance of automated scheduling
The benefits of implementing a consultation fee
Using the 80/20 principle to leverage your practice
Resources from this Episode
AARP article: What I Learned After Hackers Attacked Me and Stole $4,000 AARP Fraud Watch Network 1Password (password manager Ernie recommends) 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) 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 Our Sponsors 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.comLet them know we sent you.