Want to Keep Your Job? Be Fast

A fundamental in business is that speed is a competitive weapon. That extends from product development to home delivery. That's on the macro level.

Now it's coming down to the individual level of holding on to your job. For instance, on professional anonymous networks Reddit Big Law and Fishbowl Big Law junior lawyers post that their performance review warned they had to work faster - without making mistakes. The fact that the reprimand was put on the record means that their jobs are on-the-line. They should be alarmed.

Bloomberg Law also discloses that part of what drove the Unilever board's terminating CEO Hein Schumacher is the need for "urgency." The board assessed that there hadn't been enough progress in implementing the corporation's change plan. 

The most critical challenge in most sectors is to be able to "get it" quickly about what to do to grow in the new order of things. Just recently prominent public relations agency Edelman announced a decline in revenue. 

For two consecutive years Edelman had conducted large layoffs. Some posters on social refer to Edelman as an "old line" firm. Look at TikToks and YouTubes. Listen to podcasts. The tone and the content are different from traditional issue-management and promotional material.

In coaching lawyers operating small but powerhouse firms I have observed that some aren't moving fast enough to respond to clients' extreme concern about pricing. Business halted abruptly. I made recommendations how to retrofit that, ranging from introducing new pricing options to a rapid reset of promotional materials such as the website and starting up an exclusive newsletter.

When voted in by partners for another term as chair of Paul Weiss Brad Karp leaped into action. Among the initiatives were establishing a presence for the law firm in London, poaching star rainmakers to lead domestic practices and piloting a non-equity tier which can boost Profits Per Equity Partner. Recently Paul Weiss announced record revenue and Profits Per Equity Partner.

Overall, as a coach I finger foot-dragging in career moves as the "tragic flaw" of most professionals. As the new order takes over they seem to be frozen into inaction. Instead of taking on the burden of retrieving data and connecting the dots on how their employer is really doing, they just sit there listening to what the brass is saying, hoping for the best. Meanwhile they should have launched a job search or moved the dial on starting their own businesses. 

Is the life you’ve known collapsing? As your intuitive career coach/tarot reader I guide you to what could be next. Clients range from lawyers to entrepreneurs to the trades. Free confidential consultation. If we work together, fees are what you can afford. To connect: Jane Genova (text/phone 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). In-person and remote.