Taylor English Tenets

Changing landscapes and expectations make interpersonal communication, time management and active listening the gold standard for internal and external client management. By adopting the 23 TED Tenets, our attorneys and staff work from the same standards, which bolsters our clients’ success as well as their own. The TED Tenets reinforce a commitment to open communication, responsiveness, compassion and excellence, which defines the Taylor English culture and client experience for years to come.

The author Peter Drucker famously wrote that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Taylor English has taken Drucker’s words to heart by focusing on fostering a culture that focuses on things that matter–encouraging behaviors that help build strong relationships both internally and externally, and establishing a commitment to delivering high-quality legal services. Our adoption and focus on the TED Tenets gives life to our mission to be a purpose-built law firm as we continue to engage the behaviors outlined by the tenets. The TED Tenets reinforce a commitment to open communication, responsiveness, compassion, and excellence, which defines the Taylor English culture and client experience.

Be Fanatical About Responsiveness

Respond quickly to all emails, texts, and phone calls (be a 2-hour responder) with at least an acknowledgement that you’ve received the message and will be in touch. Then be in touch as soon as possible and keep those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues. Being fanatical about responsiveness shows our clients (internal and external) that they’re important to us and that we’re eager to assist.

Deliver Outstanding Client Service

Taylor English exists solely to service our clients, and they deserve the best from each of us. It’s also the best way to keep our clients. When providing answers, point out other legal developments in which they may be interested, or attach a Law Alert. When another lawyer is servicing your client, follow up to make sure the service met the client’s needs.

Be Aggressive About Sharing Information

We don’t work in a vacuum. Every day we’re working for or with others – be they our external or our internal clients. Keep them “top of mind”. Ask yourself: “Am I treating them as if they’re my most important client? “Is there information I need to convey to ensure that all stakeholders in that client or project are up-to-date?

Run Our Operation Profitably

Be rigorous about doing the basic things upon which a profitable business depends. For lawyers, this includes entering your time promptly after the services are performed, reviewing and approving pre-bills quickly, and ensuring that your clients pay for the services when payment is due. For staff, it includes ensuring your tasks are completed timely and accurately.

Make Quality Personal

Have a healthy disdain for mediocrity. Demonstrate a passion for excellence and take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. From the spelling of a client’s name to the colors of a logo, details matter. Good is not good enough. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?” Everything we touch bears Taylor English’s signature, and excellence is the responsibility of all members since we all benefit or suffer from our brand.

Maximize Your Time

As in any for-profit business, there’s always something to do. If you’re light on billable work, spend time identifying client prospects, reaching out to prospects or clients, or engaging in brand-building and marketing activities. We’re all responsible for doing things that will make our business stronger and more profitable.

Embrace Diverse Perspectives

Be open to learning from others, no matter what role they have, and regardless of their years of experience, background, tenure with Taylor English, etc. We make better decisions when we consider multiple perspectives.

See Feedback as a Gift

Tracking progress toward our goals is critical for our success. Without measurement and feedback, we have no way to know how we’re doing. Be eager to get feedback from whatever source and be eager to give it, constructively.

Make Smart Business Decisions

While there are endless clients who need and want our help, we can’t work with all of them. Select and do business with clients who align with our Tenets, and who can and will pay for the value we add.

Make Every Interaction Count

Beyond the traditional sales activities we normally think of, every interaction, whether external or internal, is actually a sales activity. Showcase the quality of our firm, our culture, and our people with every interaction and be mindful of how your interaction is perceived.

Show Gratitude

Gratitude has been proven to be essential for strong relationships, and is core for both personal and business health. Invest the time and effort to express gratitude to our clients who trust in us and to our colleagues upon whom we rely.

Check Your Ego at the Door

Being a member of Taylor English is not about you and, in fact, the success of each of us depends on all of our colleagues. Don’t let your ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the client, Taylor English, or your colleagues. Act without ego and become a humble teacher.

Try to Get to”Yes”

Given the complex questions and challenges we face daily, it’s often easier to respond to requests by explaining why it can’t be done, rather than finding a way to get it done. Strive to make “no” the answer of last resort and, instead, work to discover a solution that, while not perfect, moves as close to “yes” as possible.

Listen to Understand

Listening is more than “not speaking.” Give others your undivided attention (turn off your cellphone, close your computer). Be present and engaged. Minimize the distractions and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Suspend your judgment and be curious to know more, rather than jumping to conclusions.

Be Honest but Compassionate

In our desire to avoid conflict, we often don’t say what should be said, or we sugar-coat our observations, impairing the opportunity for improvement. Excellence doesn’t flourish from avoiding the truth. Speak honestly, say what you mean, and be willing to ask questions, share ideas, or raise issues that may cause healthy conflict when it is necessary for Taylor English success.

Set and Ask for Expectations

In order for us to do our best, we need to be crystal clear on the expectations for every assignment. What’s the turnaround time? What deliverable is being sought? How much time does the client anticipate should be spent in obtaining the result? Never assume you know the expectations. Ask for them and repeat them until you’re sure you know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

Avoid Unpleasant Surprises

As stewards of our client’s money and our colleagues’ time and attention, do what’s necessary to avoid creating unpleasant surprises. Clients don’t want research memos and big bills. Be proportional in your efforts and, if the deliverable will take more time than expected, communicate that fact. Whenever possible, create pleasant surprises for our external and internal clients.

Walk in the Client’s Shoes

In order to be the best service providers we can be, we must walk in our client’s shoes and see things from their perspective. Ask good questions and get to know their industry, business, and objectives. Understand the conditions on their ground so you can be as effective for them as possible.

Practice Blameless Problem-Solving

Demonstrate a relentless solution focus, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems. When mistakes are made, identify the lessons to be learned and use them to improve ourselves and Taylor English’s processes. We have a responsibility to get smarter and to learn from every experience, good or bad

Pay Attention to the Details

Missing one detail can have an enormous impact and turn a current client into a former client, or an internal resource for work into a former internal resource for work. The goal is to get things right, not just to get them done. Double check your work. Get the details right the first time.

Honor Commitments

Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. This includes being on-time for phone calls, appointments, meetings, and keeping promises. If a commitment cannot be fulfilled, notify your internal or external client as soon as possible and agree on a new date upon which your commitment will be honored.

Assume Positive Intent

Work from the assumption that people are good, fair, and honest, and that the intent behind their actions is positive. Set aside your own judgments and preconceived notions. Give people the benefit of the doubt.

Invest in Relationships

Take an interest in your clients and co-workers and get to know them on a more personal level. Talk more, email less. Understand what’s happening in their world and what’s important to them. Ours is a relationship business, and creating stronger relationships internally and with our clients will make us more successful and build our brand.

Diversity

An Inclusive Ecosystem

Pro Bono

Legal Justice at Work

Community

A Strong Commitment

About Taylor English

Taylor English Duma LLP was built from the ground up to provide highest-quality legal services for optimal value. The firm combines the best aspects of a traditional law firm with seasoned attorneys throughout the United States. Together, our attorneys work each day to provide timely, creative, and cost-effective counsel to help clients solve problems and achieve goals. Taylor English clients run the gamut from Fortune 500 companies to middle market businesses to start ups and entrepreneurs. The firm is the Georgia law firm member of GGI Global Alliance AG, the leading worldwide alliance of accounting and law firms, giving our clients access to a trusted stable of high-quality professional services organizations around the globe.

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