Courtesy of Australian consultant Gary McMahon, one of my avid followers in one of my favorite places in the world, here is a short clip of the Austrian Supreme Court Chief Justice telling what appears to be a stunned legal audience that hourly billing is completely inappropriate and ought to be thrown out in favor of focusing on value.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/05/17/2902081.htm?site=southwestwa
When I was speaking in Sydney during one trip, I keynoted for the Australian Legal Management Association on this very topic. After accountants and consultants in Melbourne and Sydney had been extraordinarily responsive, the legal people sat there virtually deaf to the same ideas. I kept hitting the mike to see if it were working. (This is why I’m always paid in advance.) Tell me again why some of you entrepreneurs have lawyers on your advisory boards?
Hi Alan
In looking at it again, notice the facial expressions of the lawyers in the audience at the 20 second mark.
Says it all really.
Cheers
Gary
Looked like my group at the Australian Legal Management Association Conference. I thought they’d start carrying torches and pitchforks!