As is common this time of year, we tend to reflect and take stock. I look back on this most unusual year, and realize that, thankfully, there is also so much to be happy about and I’ve learned so much from every experience. Here is a quick list I put together in hopes of inspiring those out there considering a job change, a career shift or other work-related move. If this is possible in a year like 2020, imagine what 2021 can be like!!!
20 Things that Happened to My Business in 2020
1. I published a book. The Simple Guide to Legal Innovation: Basics Every Lawyer Should Know is the result of a career journey and lessons learned. The journey is far from over, and the lessons keep on coming, but I had to find a way to make innovation accessible to all attorneys. Innovation is not as hard as some say.
2. I published a workbook. The Simple Workbook for Legal Innovation: Exercises Every Lawyer Should Perform to Modernize Their Practice is made for law firm lawyers to bring to life the concepts in The Simple Guide. It is a compilation of hands-on activities that make innovation attainable.
3. I hired a brand consultant. And I let the brand consultant go. As COVID-19 flared up in early March, I could not afford that luxury. I learned quite a bit in a short time and continue to experiment.
4. I launched a completely new website with new branding. The site – www.lucybassli.com -continues to be a work in progress, but I am very proud of how it represents me and the work I love.
5. I developed and launched courseware built on the concepts in The Simple Guide and The Simple Workbook I had published. These courses are another way for lawyers to embrace innovation and learn how to make it their own journey.
6. I created a new entity called InnoLaw Group, and it has its own website.
7. I am finalizing plans to fold InnoLegal into InnoLaw and launch a new line of holistic contracting services in 2021. Contracting will finally be done by the right combination of licensed US lawyers, contract mangers and legal operations specialists to deliver the optimal external contract review service for small and midsize legal departments.
8. I participated in and delivered virtual workshops, lectures and presentations all over the world, connecting with existing and potential clients on every continent, well, minus Antarctica.
9. I contributed chapters to two other books and authored content for several online publications.
10. I launched #SHEroVibes (a LinkedIn Live video series) with my colleague Kunoor Chopra, from whom I get to learn something every time we talk.
11. I went live on LinkedIn using Streamyard to broadcast, which was a totally new and different experience for me. I dragged along Stephanie Corey and JoAnne Wakeford for my first LinkedIn Live event. These two women are the brightest examples of true friendship, trust and support. They make me laugh. They inspire me. They keep me grounded as I ride this roller coaster.
12. I launched my LinkedIn business page.
13. I hired operational support to help my growing business and had to lay off staff when COVID-19 hit. Then I got to rehire them!
14. I accepted the fact that I am and have my own brand. That is still a psychological journey. I must admit – it still feels a little weird. In fact – the most surreal thing I did was create a little explainer video! THAT feels crazy. Video coming to a YouTube channel near you January 2021.
15. I invested in technology and infrastructure for my business to operate more smoothly. After all, I am an Ops person. I did my first big email broadcast and have a CRM system in place. I enabled Calendly and use MS Teams for every possible feature to manage my desktop.
16. I competed for WiFi bandwidth with my 3 kids who were remote learning, and managed to lose connection during a global presentation, and had to dial in via my land line. Made it work, but that was the WORST time to lose connectivity.
17. I deepened my relationship with UpLevel Ops and enjoy every project that we get to work on together.
18. I commissioned my unpaid child laborer (aka daughter) to paint the flowers on my closet doors behind me, for every video call to see.
19. I joined the boards of College of Law Practice Management and the Liquid Legal Institute.
20. I couldn’t avoid gaining a few unwelcomed pounds, even though I try to get on that annoying treadmill daily, but the combination of great food and family was too much to resist. Plus LIFE IS SHORT. EAT WELL.
The thing I am most proud of… My amazing team! We grew into a tight circle of people who love what we do and enjoy working together. We are bound together by our personal commitment to support each other and by our professional passion to provide modern legal services to change how contracts are done. Our shared goals and interests make every day FUN. Literally – we have fun every day. If 2021 brings that sort of work fulfillment, then I couldn’t ask for more.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday season!
