The other day I saw an article exploring the bad reputation certain consultants supposedly have. Well, whatever that bad reputation may be, make it worse by a considerable factor…and you have the general perception of business lawyers by the other players we regularly engage with. Of course that’s a simplifying blanket statement. Of course this does not say anything about any individual. But whether we like it or not, it still is out there, we will still have this in the back of our minds, and we will still need to deal with it. If you’re in any doubt, try searching for „lawyer jokes“. We

„Do the work“ is a classic admonition (and a great book by Steven Pressfield). But I just got a reminder just how easily this imperative is overlooked in daily (work)life. A finance seminar got great reviews when delivered pre Covid-19, i.e. offline. During the last weeks I updated the long-form seminar (equivalent to a full day of training) for deployment via live video (same overall length, three sessions – a set-up proven to work really well). Looking at the material through that lense was a truly fascinating experience: some transitions and topic changes that were so easily smoothed when delivered live in a room

Some thoughts on and around one of the consultant-lingo buzzwords of the decade (or longer) and some implications when applied to business lawfirms – both in general and under Covid-19 related restrictions. 1. Silos In this context, the silo usually is a metaphor for internal isolationism, for communication within but not across units of an organisation. And there is an entire industry of consultants out there who will tell businesses all over the economy that silos should be “broken down” and how that might be done. Translated to our ecosystem, the asset finance team might be one silo. The M&A folks another. The litigators

I wish you and yours all the best for 2020! If I had just one wish for the New Year: it would be nice to have a lot of good conversations. Firmly based on whatever facts available. Focusing on the merits of the content, not on identification with any labels attached either to positions or to the persons holding them (now or in the past). Taking the time necessary to look at things in nuance and detail. So often the seeming “divisiveness” all around stems from a focus on the aspects separating positions. When focused on, a small ditch can easily become an uncrossable

Another year moving into view in the rearview mirror. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives, however small. Thanks for trusting me to be able to help. For a lot of work, fun and great conversations. Let’s make 2020 count. All 366 days of it. But now, have a lovely evening and let’s enjoy what’s left of 2019. It’s worth it.