The power of specialisation: why law firms should choose specialist, not generalist, software trainers
If you’ve been following our training blog series, you’ll know we’ve previously tackled reasons to invest in training, preferred delivery methods and types of training available. Remind yourself by revisiting ‘Why investing in software training is good for business’, ‘Big bang vs bitesize training’ and ‘A roundup of IT training’.
In this fourth-and-final blog, we shift the focus onto your training provider, specifically describing how specialists are better than generalists from a quality-of-training perspective.
You see, while it’s widely recognised that the fast-paced, complex world of law demands continuous learning and professional development, not least in relation to software usage, when it comes to training, a critical debate arises… whether to opt for specialist trainers or generalist trainers.
Here, we present a strong business case for specialists to ensure a more targeted, efficient and impactful learning experience which spawns a bank of adept software users who can take full advantage of everything your technology has to offer…
#1: Deeper expertise
Specialist trainers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in law. Their deep understanding of niche legal areas allows them to provide comprehensive guidance to your solicitors and support staff in prime use of your technology. This expertise is invaluable in ensuring that training aligns with the intricacies of your business, ultimately cultivating better-prepared professionals so you’re able to use technology optimally to perform your roles to the best of your abilities.
While generalists may offer a broad range of skills, they don’t have nuanced understanding of sector problems. As such, software training has a tendency to become a button-pressing exercise. In other words, teaching demonstrates which buttons to press to achieve particular outcomes. The result is superficial software intelligence – not the ability to drill down to granular layers.
#2: Focused and relevant
Law firms often require training that’s applicable to their specialisms. Specialist trainers can design customised programmes in a consultative way that cater for these unique needs and challenges with a spotlight on software utilisation. This targeted approach ensures training sessions are both efficient and effective, thereby directly addressing specific objectives with minimal time repercussions as employees will only attend sessions related to their positions in practice.
On the other side of the coin, generalist trainers struggle to provide the same standard of tailored instruction, potentially leading to a disconnect between the training content and the actual demands of the firm. This means issues faced don’t go away and gaps in the learning process remain. Added to this, your staff are possibly attending training that’s simply not relevant to their job. Everyone is given the same ‘flavour’, whether they like it or not. For example, a probate lawyer doesn’t need to know about conveyancing completion statements. It’s a waste of their valuable time and they’ll immediately lose interest. Your fee earning targets and engagement will suffer.
#3: Keeping up with evolving laws
In the constantly shifting legal landscape, new rules and regulations emerge regularly. Specialists stay ahead of these changes, ensuring their materials are up-to-date, and software training hones in on handling and confronting every modification and development as they occur.
Conversely, generalists may possess outdated knowledge which can lead to costly mistakes and complications when this out-of-date information is passed on through software training. While good tools make a skilled craftsman better, they will not make a poorly skilled craftsman good. It’s a catch-22 situation – even with market-leading technology, you won’t survive and thrive if you’re not trained in how to use it superlatively.
#4: Improved learning outcomes
Specialist trainers are passionate about your sector and its tools – and this enthusiasm is contagious. When trainers are profoundly interested in the subject matter, including technology, it inspires and motivates learners. Training sessions led by specialists, therefore, are engaging and interactive, fostering a positive learning environment. Your employees will get to know your software inside out, in next-to-no time.
Additionally, specialists can draw upon their real-world experiences to provide practical insights and anecdotes that resonate with learners, making software training relatable and memorable. Generalists are incapable of doing so – simply by not knowing your industry to the same degree. The knock-on effect is amateur-standard software users powerless to make the most of the technologically advanced tools at their fingertips.
#5. Enhanced reputation
Clients often choose law firms based on their reputation and expertise in certain practice areas. By investing in specialist trainers, you can rely totally upon your software by using it optimally and become a recognised authority in these areas, leading to greater trust and loyalty – for a notoriety (and bottom-line) boost.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, generalist trainers have broader insights, wider perspectives and surface-level software awareness only. Your reputation (and revenue) is not in safe hands in this scenario.
#6. Efficient use of resources
If specialist trainers command higher fees, it’s because their focused expertise creates efficient and effective software training programmes. Over time, there are actually cost savings to be made as the training process becomes streamlined and employees are thoroughly equipped to handle complicated legal matters in less time with back up from technology. As any law firm knows, time is a precious commodity. It’s literally your practice’s currency. Doing more work in less time equates to an income surge.
In contrast, generalist trainers require more time and resources to achieve a similar level of software proficiency in their students. Selecting generalists on price alone is false economy in the longer term as you’ll have to sift through extraneous information during generalist training plans. On the ‘time is money’ theme, it thus follows that losing time equals a drop in earnings.
Final thoughts
In the competitive law sphere, staying ahead of the curve is essential. The specialised nature of legal practice demands a tailored approach to software training. Specialist trainers offer law firms a distinct advantage by providing bespoke training backed by in-depth knowledge so your employees are armed with the necessary skills to excel in their chosen fields with technology for support.
While generalist trainers have their merits, the benefit of choosing specialists is clear: it’s a strategic investment in the continuous development of your staff, ultimately contributing to your success in the increasingly challenging legal scene.
Why select Jayva?
As a specialist supplier of technology training to law firms, our team of personable trainers truly understand what you’re up against and can help you by designing training plans to suit your individual requirements. Our pragmatic and affordable solutions are relied upon by a growing catalogue of happy client testimonials. See what they have to say at www.jayvaglobal.com/client-testimonials.
