 In this episode, Brett Trembly, a business lawyer and founder of Get Staffed Up, shares how his company helps law firm owners hire talented virtual assistants from Latin America. He discusses his new book, which sets forth a 24-month game plan for hiring seven specific positions. He also explains the best practices for working with virtual assistants, including repeatable tasks, daily check-ins, and quarterly conversations.    Tune in to learn about the nuts and bolts of building a remote workforce based in Latin America.  Show Notes  GetStaffedUp.com (Brett's company website) 24 Months to Freedom, by Brett Trembly (free copy for listeners of this podcast) Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (a 365 day virtual business conference for law firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Learn about: ChatGPT for Lawyers (a free course taught via email)      General Resources  Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.     Thanks to Our Sponsor    Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.     If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.    Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).    And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.   EPISODE CREDITS:  If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.    He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their businesses and impact the world.    

Get Staffed Up with Remote Workers in Latin America (Guest: Brett Trembly)

Unconventional advice on leveraging technology to achieve breakthrough results. Using the 80/20 Principle is about strategic minimalism, which means focusing on a few tools that have an extraordinary impact—things that are tried and true, not fancy and new. Also, tools that are "Stone Age simple" to set up and use. Bottom line: managing a modern law practice doesn't have to be complicated or frustrating if you adopt the right approach and use the right tools.

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Management

Gabriel Marous is a New York business lawyer who runs his firm, making extensive use of VAs based in the Philippines. He had to figure out for himself how to recruit, hire, train, and manage his team of 10 VAs. Now, he helps other lawyers and business owners do the same. In this episode, you'll learn how he started doing this, what mistakes he made and overcame, and how you can take advantage of overseas VAs just like he has done. In this episode, you will hear:  Leveraging overseas virtual assistants in business Transitioning to overseas virtual assistants Setting up virtual team operations Virtual office and Zoom integration Finding and developing virtual assistants Building a remote team for professionals Managing multiple applications and cybersecurity Leveraging 80-20 principle for success  Resources from this Episode   www.vaforprofessionals.com  www.marouslaw.com  Find Gabriel J. Marous, Esq. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljmarous Magic: A service mentioned for finding virtual assistants. Time Doctor: A tool discussed for monitoring and time tracking. LastPass: Mentioned as a tool for managing passwords securely. Clio Conference: Recommended for lawyers seeking to enhance their Clio usage and connect with experts in the legal tech field. Upwork: Mentioned as a platform for finding freelancers and remote workers. Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Readwise (will be discussed in an upcoming episode)  Check out this  Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice  General Resources  Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read:  The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.        Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.    

283: Finding & Working with Overseas VAs (with Gabriel Marous)

    How can you be more productive and enjoy doing so? Merely checking off boxes on a To-Do list isn't the answer. Attorney David Sparks has the best answer I've come across, and he explains it very well. David is exceptionally productive in juggling a mind-boggling number of responsibilities. Listen and learn David's incredible secrets to being productive in a way that enables you to accomplish a lot while feeling good (and not stressed). In this episode, you will hear:  Productivity tips for attorneys Productivity and prioritization in modern life Finding meaning and accountability Finding purpose and productivity Productivity and time management for lawyers  Resources from this Episode  MacSparky - David Sparks' website Day One - Journaling app mentioned in the conversation Motion - Tool for automatic calendar adjustments "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek - Book mentioned in the conversation Arete - Concept discussed, related to Greek philosophy David Sparks' productivity field guide: Use this discount code: Goldfish Chris Bailey's Website - Explore more about Chris Bailey and his productivity insights Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Readwise (will be discussed in an upcoming episode) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice   General Resources  Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.    Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.    

282: Sensible & Satisfying Productivity (with David Sparks)

     As we all know, modern technology can create powerful leverage in any business. Unfortunately, it's complex and rapidly changing, which creates big challenges—especially for lawyers. Most lawyers lack the instincts to know what to focus on and prioritize, so they often make big mistakes when using technology. Fortunately, the five biggest mistakes can be avoided if you know what they are and how to avoid them. Listen and find out how. In this episode, you will hear:  Avoiding lawyer technology adoption mistakes Avoiding technology mistakes in law Leveraging technology for maximum success Outsourcing receptionist services with Smith AI Cost-effective tech consultation for lawyers  Resources from this Episode - Jared Correia (Red Cave Legal) for advice on practice management software: https://redcavelegal.com/about/  https://redcavelegal.com/  - Otter.ai (best meeting transcription tool using AI) - https://otter.ai/referrals/7V69G9OV  - My Top Tech Tools Guide for Lawyers - https://frictionless-lawyering.craft.me/Top-Tech-Tools  - Check out my Inner Circle (for useful discussions about tech tools recommended for lawyers) - https://ernietheattorney.net/inner-circle-community/  - Check out my Law Practice Assessment if you want specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice - https://law-practice-assessment.scoreapp.com/p/podcast General Resources  Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read:  The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free)    Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.    

281: The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Using Technology (and How to Avoid Them)

     AI Chatbots powered by GPT-4 technology are improving rapidly so the opportunities are expanding for lawyers who want to leverage this to improve aspects of their practices. But which GPT4 chatbots are best? And what are the best opportunities for using them in your practice? That's what we'll cover in this episode. In this episode, you will hear:  The emergence of generative AI chatbots and their implications for the legal industry Maximizing the features of advanced AI writing models The use of RAG and proprietary data to mitigate AI “hallucinations”  Strategic use of AI for ideation and Grammarly for writing More ways to think about implementing AI effectively  Resources from this Episode  Ethan Mollick's article:  Which Al should I use? Superpowers and the State of Play Ethan Mollick's upcoming book:  Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI Ethan Mollick's Substack: One Useful Thing Link to Bloomberg podcast episode: Why Are Lawyers Still Making Bad Al Mistakes? Grammarly (tech tool recommendation) Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about tech tools I discuss and recommend) Check out this Law-Tech Assessment if you want my recommendations for improving your practice with technology.  General Resources  Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read:  The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.    Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.    

280: Update on Generative AI Chatbots & How Lawyers Can Use Them Safely

     LinkedIn is a goldmine for professional referrals. Think of it as a 24-hour networking event that runs 365 days a year.  You can "attend" asynchronously and easily generate new referrals without spending a lot of time "working the room.” In this episode, you will hear:  24/7 receptionist and chatbot services Unlocking LinkedIn's potential Crafting effective taglines for lawyers Optimizing LinkedIn profile for SEO Leveraging linkedin for networking success   Resources from this Episode  My LinkedIn page My LinkedIn post about "Most lawyers won't like this" Justin Welsh's LinkedIn page Justin Welsh's LinkedIn course ($150 or $97) Justin Welsh's free post about LinkedIn strategy Canva image-creating tool (to make LinkedIn banner) Check out my Inner Circle (to participate in ongoing discussions about marketing, tech tools, and more Check out my short Law-Tech Assessment for specific recommendations for improving based on the technology you're using in your practice  General Resources  Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses.    Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.    

Get Staffed Up with Remote Workers in Latin America (Guest: Brett Trembly)

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