The Rainmaking Podcast TRP 265: Process Improvement to Boost Rainmaking Skills with Catherine MacDonagh
In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love interviews Catherine MacDonagh, a legal industry consultant and author of Lean Six Sigma for Law. Catherine explains how process improvement—defined as analyzing and refining repeatable, describable steps to achieve better outcomes—can significantly enhance client service, profitability, and rainmaking. She notes that while lawyers often resist by saying every matter is unique, many steps in legal work and firm operations (like intake, billing, or onboarding) are recurring processes ripe for improvement. By using tools such as scorecards, impact/ease matrices, and stakeholder analysis, firms can identify high-impact areas, streamline workflows, and improve both client and employee experiences.
Catherine shares real-world success stories, including a global law department that collaborated with a law firm to reduce billing inefficiencies and deepen their relationship. She stresses the importance of involving cross-functional teams, listening to the “voice of the client,” and embedding change management into the process. Continuous improvement, she argues, is not just about efficiency—it’s about building stronger client partnerships and staying competitive. Catherine closes with three action steps: start by trying small improvements, commit to continuous learning, and build skills in Lean, Six Sigma, and related disciplines. Her message is clear: process improvement works in law, and adopting it can transform rainmaking efforts and client development.
Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q36c2IBRpdc
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A Legal Lean Sigma® Black Belt and a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Catherine is the CEO and a Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute, LLC. LLSI offers consulting and the first and only process improvement and project management certifications, courses, and workshops designed for the legal profession. Catherine created Legal Lean Sigma®, the award winning Legal WorkOut® and Legal Lean Sigma® Design Thinking.
Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemacdonagh/
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