Today, we're discussing the value of investing in culture change.

For many small to mid-sized professional services firms, firm culture is typically not an area that is given a lot of attention. But whether you do or don’t plan around it, you have a company culture. The question is, does it help or does it hinder you from moving towards your practice goals? If the latter, what can you do about it? Tune in to this episode for some inspiration. 

If you are interested in learning more about Jeri Quinn, please go to:
https://drivingimprovedresults.com/

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

For those of you listening on audio platforms – my jersey says THE FINANCIAL SLAYER, all caps! I wanted a playful way to introduce our theme today because financial management, as important as it is, can also be a source of stress for many professionals, including those who are already quite successful!

If you are interested in learning more about Carleen Dehaney,
Founder and Principal of FXO Consulting, please go to:
https://fxoconsulting.com/

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

Today's theme is how to negotiate more successfully by bringing more (not less!) of your authentic self to discussions about anything from contracts and proposals to job offers and even performance reviews. Lawyers, architects and other professionals negotiate with (and for) clients and peers on a nearly daily basis. Yet it is an area in which many feel they haven’t received proper training. Listen to this interview and get inspired with ideas to strengthen your negotiation style and tactics! 

If you are interested in learning more about Fotini Iconomopoulos, please go to:
https://fotiniicon.com/

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

Our theme today is how professional and career coaches play a role in supporting clients with decisions, change and leadership. 

Hockey, baseball, football fans get the role of coach, intuitively. But this type of coaching isn’t something you watch on a big screen. It’s a bit more abstract and a lot more off the record. So today we will make that more accessible through stories about clients arriving at those game-changing "Aha" moments.

If you are interested in learning more about Gina Alexandris, please go to:
https://ginaalexandris.com/ 

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

Today, we’re talking about creating engaging content that's got personality, on LinkedIn. It's a dynamic conversation with 2 guests - Andy & Marc. We shared stories about finding our true voice, what we noticed about some of our highest-ranking posts and ways to overcome the typical resistance lawyers and other professionals experience when it comes to this type of marketing.

To learn more about Andy, please go to https://greenehurlocker.com/

To learn more about Marc, please go to https://connect2collaborate.com/ 

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

These days many lawyers and other professionals have had the opportunity to talk about finding their purpose in work and life. In this podcast, we approached the topic a bit differently. Garry makes the interesting point that it's not really about finding your purpose just one time. Rather, it's about finding your new purpose... every time life throws you a curve.

Garry Wise is a Toronto employment and litigation lawyer. He launched Wise Law Blog in 2005 and was among North America’s earliest, trailblazing law bloggers. Garry was inducted into the Canadian Law Blogs (CLAWBIES) Hall of Fame in 2017. Garry continues to maintain an active presence on social media platforms with daily updates on legal news and information.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

A lawyer's business development playbook is constantly changing. But there are some steadfast truths about how to win. Listen to this episode, as Norm shares generously and openly from his experience about what works. 

Norman Bacal brings years of leadership experience to a career that included building a law firm from scratch. In 1989 he opened a four lawyer shop in Toronto and  over the next twenty five years expanded the firm  from a base in  film and television finance into multiple disciplines and practice groups. His most useful skills over that period related to the recognition and development of talent and  building of a unique cultural environment to retain that talent.  When he left his leadership position as national co-managing partner of Heenan Blaikie, the office had grown to over two hundred lawyers and the film was among the best known brands in the country. In his second career as author, consultant and  keynote speaker,  he mentors young professionals and consults with law firm leaders across the county.  He has published three books to  assist the career development of professionals, from articling student to managing partner.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

Growing pains can be a literal pain. It can be helpful to remember that they're actually a sign of success. In this episode, Erin and I talk about navigating growing pains, at different stages of a firm's life cycle. What worked, what didn't and some lessons learned along the way.

Erin Cowling is a former corporate commercial litigator and now Founder & CEO of Flex Legal Network Inc. (a company that matches busy lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel with freelance lawyers to assist with overflow legal work on a project basis). 

Previously, she was a lawyer for several years at McMillan LLP in Toronto. Erin has volunteered her time with both the CBA and OBA Small, Solo and General Practice Section Executives and the OBA Women Lawyers Forum Section Executive. She also taught Legal Research & Writing at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and was the Regional Alumni Advisor (Toronto) for the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, providing confidential career coaching to new lawyers. She has an award-winning law-blog (currently on pause) which includes the popular series “Women Leading in Law” and writes for several legal publications. Erin is a graduate of ELLA Ascend and ELLA Altitude, two entrepreneurship and business accelerator programs offered by York University. Erin is also author of The Modern Freelance Lawyer: A Guide to the Business, Ethics, and Evolution of Freelance Legal Work.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

Is there a professional community out there that's right for you? How can you make the most of it? If not, what if you were to create your own community? In this episode, Jackie and I swap stories about the challenges and opportunities of community building. 

Jackie is an award winning certified financial planner, best-selling author, and featured speaker who has helped thousands of clients grow their net worth, build a fortress around their finances, and keep more of their cash in their pocket for 25 years and counting! Her focus is on empowering women towards financial independence.

Jackie has been featured on the star, CBC, the agenda with Steve Paikin, BBN, Global news and is also a regular contributor to investment executive, wealth professional, and the globe and mail. As Mackenzie female trailblazer of the year for 2019 and 2021, she also recently won the Canadian advisor of the year at the 2023 Wealth professional awards making her a 3-time winner. Jackie is a leading money expert and a powerful voice in the world of women's financial empowerment.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management. 

Today, we're swapping stories about developing professional relationships, not as a duty, but as an enjoyable activity that can add a lot to life. If you're looking for inspiration on ways to reach out to new people with ease, this episode is for you!

Our guest, Samantha Graff Benmor, is an award-winning realtor at The Graff Group and an icon of Toronto Real Estate. Samantha is also the innovator behind Sammy G's Gifts, perfectly personalized gifts for all occasions. 

If you are interested in learning more about Samantha Graff Benmor, please go to:

thegraffgroup.ca  or
sammygs.com

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management.