practicehacker

Ever feel that if only you had the right tools, backing, money, time, background, education, encouragement and inspiration, you could build a killer app?

I used to think so; especially when I learned about efficient use of widely distributed human resources via frictionless online sharing (a/k/a crowd-sourcing). But like so much of new, new Internet, crowd-sourcing never actually took hold on the ground level where people like me dwell (that is, not in Palo Alto or San Jose). And it never, never penetrated entrenched industries such as law practice.

Then there’s SellanApp, a site that proposes to put the creation, financing, and distribution of mobile apps within the reach of non-techies like me.  Its wonderfully subversive. You might even call it a good way to hack the process of creating apps. And sure it probably won’t work, just as crowd-sourcing failed to catch fire 10 years ago. Then again, it just might.

SellAnApp from NewLogics on Vimeo.

In Law firms: A less gilded future the Economist begins with the incredibly obvious – practicing law ain’t what it used to be – before moving on to the “merely” obvious, that the law has become more of a business than a profession.  And that’s a bad thing? Depends who you ask, doesn’t it? Less clubby for a few, much more open for … well, for the rest of the world. Yeah, I think I’ll take it this way, thanks. I never was part of the old-boys’ club. And I’m not a fan, either.

Posted via email from practice (redux)

One of the primary reasons we adopt new technology (besides the fact that it’s cool) is because it makes life easier. John T. Phipps, a lawyer based in Champaign, Ill., discovered this when he test-drove and adopted Amicus Attorney practice management software for his law firm. In all, he estimates that he’s significantly increased the amount of billable time he captures – up to 250 hours a year – thanks to the system’s automation features. Another benefit: The ability to run his practice from his laptop or Blackberry helps free his time for more important things – like vacations. You can read John’s story here.

Download a free trial version of Amicus Attorney.

If Apple made TV’s they would look like the Sony Bravia NX800 HDTV ($2,300-$3,500 available March 2010).

Let’s face it: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn squandered their potential. Instead of becoming knowledge or trade hubs, they’re essentially virtual singles bars. All 3 of these networks are so choked with ads, scams, and come-ons that companies trying to turn a legitimate buck have turned to so-called opinion or “thought” leaders (anyone from Ashton Kutcher to Robert Scoble) in order to cut through the chatter. Fair enough, but lawyers still aren’t going to buy a product because it’s being pushed by an actor (even if it’s a dream-boat like Ashton). And as the authors of this piece in Social Media Today point out, professionals get online for reasons not common to the average user, including:

• engaging with others in their discipline
• collaborating on their projects or cases
• learning about innovations in their field
• sharing and discussing their experiences
• reinforcing their referral relationships
• accessing and sharing hard to find info

So why is there such a yawning gap between what professionals want in social networks and what the networks deliver? And to make matters worse, most social media campaigns are basically re-packaged website or blog content grafted onto the flavor of the month; an approach which is transparent and ineffective.

Why don’t social networks and advertisers observe the same rules that we professionals observe among ourselves, i.e.

• trust is built by giving freely
• one good turn deserves another
• value speaks for itself – no BS
• be patient – teach don’t preach
• respect my time and intelligence

If social networks and marketers respect these principals will they gain traction with professionals? How should I know? But I’m sure that if they ignore these points I’ll be gone before they can sell me anything.