Lessons from Steve Jobs 
(Senior Monkey, 76 
Points) on 10/24/11 at 10:00pm
Steve Jobs was a great man; he was a genius, a dreamer, and most of all, a sociopathic tyrant who had the balls to take on the world. I have nothing but respect for him.
Larry Bodine had a pretty good article on what we could've learned from the man and its particularly suited for the new guys or those who're starting out on their own firms.
Here are a few quick hitters.
It doesn't matter that Apple’s market share of computers is only 9%. His customers are fanatically loyal. The moment a new product was announced, his loyal base would immediately buy it. He developed a niche in computers, cell phones and table computers that no one could rival.
They way you do something is more important than what you do.
Jobs personally designed the iPhone. They are renowned for their beauty and style. Sure, it has a “death grip” problem that causes the phone to disconnect a call and Consumer Reports recommended people shouldn’t buy it. But it didn’t matter. Customers forgave the technical flaw because they love its look and feel. People even pay a premium price for an iPhone. Lawyers should learn from the corporate world: present or package what you do in a new way.
Personalize the brand.
A lawyer must realize that he or she is a brand. Clients don’t hire law firms – they hire lawyers. Every time Apple introduced something new, it was Steve Jobs presenting it on a big stage. Similarly, lawyers should get in front of audiences, make presentations on webinars and talk to news reporters. Clients want to find a lawyer they know, trust and like, and lawyers must be easily found by being in the public eye.
Don’t just compete, strive to make your competition obsolete.
Steve Jobs never played catch-up; instead he was the guy to beat. When he introduced the Apple 1 computer in 1976, there was nothing else like it. Jobs instantly made the typewriter and typesetting obsolete. When he introduced the iPhone in 2007, it made the Blackberry and every other cell phone obsolete. When jobs released the first iPad in April 2010, it created an entire new category. Lawyers should similarly look for new ways to provide service and charge for it that leapfrog ahead of what other law firms are doing.
I couldn't agree with you
by Papa34I couldn't agree with you more about lawyers recognizing that they are a brand and that they need to develop it and position it correctly for the market.
The same goes for law
by legallyblondeThe same goes for law students -- When you go to a networking event or meet someone, don't say that you're interested in everything and will do anything in any type of legal job. This shows a lack of motivation for a particular type of work or employer. If you go to an immigration law networking event -- you love immigration law. You have a nice story that explains your motivation to practice immigration law and how your skill set matches the skills required for that practice area (if you don't know how it matches, talk to people in the field!!). Then create a concise (yes, concise -- I know it's hard) elevator pitch to use at networking events. Believe me -- it will make a HUGE difference in your success in getting a job in this legal market.
I agree whole-heartedly with
by LearnedHandI agree whole-heartedly with LB and Papa -- Just want to add -- customize your resume as well as your cover letter for each type of law and employer. If you are applying to a civil law firm, take off some of your criminal law stuff (if you have enough experience). Why? Because the employer will see all of your criminal law experience and think -- this guy wanted to be a DA or PD, didn't get it and now is aimlessly applying to any opportunity out there. S/he doesn't have a strong interest in my firm.
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