Profit First for Lawyers

In this episode we look at the difference between costs associated with an expense and an investment.   Something may seem expensive, but if it helps you achieve your goals, it’s likely an investment not just an expense. Mindset Shift = Peace of Mind Delisi Friday, returns to discuss how one piece of RJon’s actionable advice encouraged her to challenge her mindset and cultural norms. She shares how what was once considered an expense is now a valuable investment in more quality time with her daughter, reduced daily stress, and more joy in her life overall.   RJon in the Studio: RJon reveals why expenses aren’t inherently bad or to be avoided. He explains that just because something costs money does not inherently make it expensive. On the contrary, certain expenses allow you to strategically reinvest in your business and personal goals. The key context is ensuring these costs truly align with and serve your short and long-term goals. Karli’s Biggest Bonus Surprise We hear the hilarious (and heartfelt) backstory behind Karli’s extravagant bonus gift which came out of a conversation during a book marketing meeting earlier this year. After the overwhelming success of the Profit First For Lawyers book launch, RJon surprised Karli with her dream bathroom appliance. Delisi shares the many discussions she had with RJon regarding this particularly unique bonus and the planning which went into turning Karli’s dream into a reality.   We also hear a humorous clip from the recording studio when this particular bonus was discussed in great detail. Though unconventional, this thoughtful gift illustrates the importance of listening, investing in, and celebrating team members who achieve key goals. Have a tissue on hand, because this episode will have you laughing and perhaps even shedding a tear or two.  Connect and Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email us your feedback to podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you! Listen to Delisi in episode eight: Procrastination & Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

In this episode, we uncover key insights about financial and tax advisors – what they do, what their limitations are, and how to know if yours are right for you. RJon in the Studio During the recording session for chapter seven of the Profit First For Lawyers audiobook, Karli asked RJon about the differences between a bookkeeper, a controller, an accountant, and a CFO. RJon answers with a creative description of each role as it relates to a fictional road trip for business travel. CPAs and Taxes In an unaired clip from episode 24: Your Law Firm’s Secret Weapon: Tax Strategist, we hear from CPA and Tax Strategist, Larry Brown. He reveals that unless a CPA receives additional training specific to tax strategy they may not have the knowledge to strategically advise you on your law firm’s taxes. Larry also offers insight into what to look for in a tax strategist advocate. Learn how to build your tax strategy at the next Tax Strategy Workshop. Profit First For Lawyers Book Testimonial Lawyer Melissa Barry shares her experience after reading the Profit First For Lawyers book. As someone who is “not a numbers person,” she found great value in how the book gave her a new perspective and understanding of numbers and the profitability of her law firm. Connect and Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email us your feedback to podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!

In this episode we hear from RJon’s personal and business tax strategist, Larry Brown. As a CPA and Tax Attorney, Larry has a deep understanding of tax laws and a knack for strategic planning. This episode will reshape the way you think about your law firm’s tax strategy. RJon in the Studio RJon challenges the age-old belief that expenses are always a negative. He unveils how, with the right tax strategy, these expenses can be transformed into investments for your business and savings on your tax bill. He emphasizes the importance of proactive tax planning and why it’s vital for every law firm. Tax Strategy Tips: Have a Tax Strategy: Larry emphasizes that most people operate without any tax strategy, and this is their biggest mistake.  Stop Fearing the IRS: Many live in fear of the IRS, which stops them from taking advantage of tax cuts and credits allowed by law.  Implement Your Strategy: Larry stresses that merely having a strategy isn’t enough. It’s essential to put it in place and follow through for it to be effective. You can take the first step right now by attending the next Tax Strategy Workshop: https://profitfirstforlawyers.com/taxes Connect and Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email us your feedback to podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!

Over the past few weeks RJon Robins has shared key insights about the 7 Parts of Every Successful Law Firm…which also happen to be the same for every unsuccessful law firm. In this episode we combine all seven of RJon’s teachings into one single recap show.. If you’ve already heard the full episodes, consider this a focused refresher. If you’ve been waiting for the series completion to binge listen, this is the exact episode you’ve been waiting to hear. Key Takeaways Marketing attracts right fit clients and repels wrong fit clients. Sales is a service you do for clients by providing clarity and options. Production is consistent and reliable when documentation, systems, and processes are in place. Engineer jobs to be mutually profitable. Detailed (and accurate) job description along with measurement, and metrics make it easier to manage People effectively. A right-sized Physical Plant ensures employees have the right tools and resources to do their jobs. Money & Metrics/Financial Controls can be easily understood and monitored through the use of KPIs and dashboards. Your law firm is meant to work for You and Your Goals. You are the farmer, your law firm is the mule. It works for you, not the other way around. Resources Mentioned Your Business Plan Workbook Connect & Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email us your feedback at podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you! Links to episodes in the series: Part One: Marketing | Part Two: Sales | Part Three: Production  Part Four: People  | Part Five: Physical Plant | Part Six: Money & Metrics | Part Seven: You & Your Goals

What do boundaries have to do with Profit First? Raul Longoria from Team RJon shares how setting and maintaining boundaries in his personal life set the stage for improved peace of mind. Which has translated into overall profitability in other areas of his life. RJon in the Studio RJon challenges listeners to rethink conventional wisdom by prioritizing their law firm’s profitability. Something which may fly in the face of the advice you may have received from bookkeepers, CPAs, and tax strategists in the past. Given that a profitable law firm benefits clients, staff, and family, shouldn’t that take priority over the comfort and convenience of advisors? Key Takeaways Setting boundaries allows you to make your own profitability a priority Saying “no” can be uncomfortable but is often the kindest thing to do Do not tolerate toxicity just to “keep the peace” at your own expense Holding boundaries encourages others’ growth and potential Surround yourself with people who inspire your greater self Connect and Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email us your feedback at podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you! <<Hear Raul in episode 8: “Killing Your Ego”>>

We wrap up our series exploring the seventh and final part of every successful law firm with a focus on you, the law firm owner! >> Listen to previous episodes in the series << Part One: Marketing | Part Two: Sales | Part Three: Production  Part Four: People  | Part Five: Physical Plant | Part Six: Money & Metrics Tea Time with Karli The pressure is on! After several unsuccessful recording sessions (and subsequent rewrites), Karli throws out the script. It is the last possible day to record Chapter 5 and even with the nearby flight school planes flying overhead, it’s go time! RJon in the Studio Your law firm is many things, but one thing it isn’t is your baby. RJon explains why you, the owner, are actually the most critical part of all seven parts. Your goals and priorities dictate whether the other parts of your business serve you or if you serve your business. Connect & Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email us your feedback at podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!

How you value your time and the time others give to you is the focus of this episode.  From Executive Assistant to Law Student We are joined by Stephanie Galvis who 11 years ago became RJon’s Executive Assistant. Stephanie recounts the early “scrappy” days of How To MANAGE a Small Law Firm. She also shares her inspiring education and career path which led to law school.  We hear about the advice on the value of productive (and profitable) conversations RJon gave Stephanie years ago. Advice which still has an impact in her academic and professional life today.   RJon in the Studio RJon goes into detail about normalized salaries and how a law firm should only pay you what they would pay anyone else other than you to do the same job.  This clip reminded Stephanie of RJon’s strategic transition away from company production roles. This allowed him to focus on his highest and best use of time. Connect & Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!

We have arrived to the sixth-part of our seven-part series. With marketing, sales, production, people, and physical plant in alignment, it is the time to focus on financial controls also known as money and metrics. >> Listen to previous episodes in the series: Part One: Marketing | Part Two: Sales << >> Part Three: Production  | Part Four: People  | Part Five: Physical Plant << Tea Time with Karli Karli shares more behind-the-scenes moment from the audiobook recording sessions, including creative attempts to finally get through the problematic Chapter 5. After multiple frustrating tries, will one more studio session do the trick? In the Studio In the first clip, RJon explains financial controls in relation to tracking revenue, expenses, and profit to show whether all of the work being done each day, week, month, and year is (or is not) building equity in your business. In the second clip, RJon goes into a detailed explanation of the Budget Variance Report. Hear RJon’s real client stories illustrating how Budget Variance Reports identified issues requiring further investigation. In one particular story, an investigation into a growing gas expense variance alerted the firm to an employee’s dangerous car leak. This discovery not only brought the gas variance back in alignment, but also potentially saved the employee’s life. The Series Continues Join us in episode 21 where RJon will share the seventh and final part of the 7 Parts of Every Successful Law Firm. Which also happen to be the same parts of every unsuccessful law firm. Until then, we invite you to: Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email your questions to: podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!

Make the Most of Your Time What is the highest and best use of your time? That is the question we tackle in this episode of the Profit First For Lawyers podcast. Zoey (previously in ep.4) returns to the show with some news about her new role on Team RJon. She also shares how RJon’s advice encouraged her to take a long-held dream and turn it into a reality. RJon in the Studio When it comes to how we value our time, RJon holds no punches. Just because you can do a task does not mean you should. He urges us to step back to examine if our time spent truly aligns with our professional and personal priorities Profit First For Lawyers Book Reviews Listen to some key takeaways from a few of our Profit First For Lawyers readers: “I am doing more planning looking forward as opposed to just really living in the moment.” – Terry Sanks, BEUSSE SANKS, PLLC “It’s the first book that I’ve seen directed to law owners of law firms that talks to you about why you need to review your financials, what you’re gonna find out when you review your financials, what are the pitfalls that you need to worry about.“ – Angela Klenk, BEACH CITIES ESTATE LAW “It was a huge takeaway that we can define profit in a different way than just how much money are you bringing in?” – Desiree Gray, CHOICE CITY FAMILY LAW “The ideas here again for Profit First For Lawyers is just mind blowing…to realize that there’s so much more to learn and there’s so much more that we can do to make ourselves better people, better consumers, better responsible people with our own resources.” – Todd Wesche, VETUS LEGAL “I love how specific it is for the industry that I’m in. I’m an attorney and I’m an entrepreneur, and I’m running my own law firm, and this is really helping me figure out a completely sort of sober, rational way to run a business.” – Marie Drake, THE DRAKE LAW FIRM We thank them for sharing what they found valuable (and profitable) within the pages of the Profit First For Lawyers book. Now it is your turn. Send us your review about the Profit First For Lawyers book to: podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com Connect & Engage Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email your questions And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!

In the fifth part of our ongoing series, we focus on Physical Plant. The importance of matching your law firm’s growth with effective work environments and the necessary tools your staff needs for work. >> Listen to previous episodes in the series: Part One: Marketing | Part Two: Sales << >> Part Three: Production  | Part Four: People << Tea Time with Karli The water is boiling and it is time for some tea. RJon is back in the studio to finally record Chapter 5. Or at least that is what Karli hopes will happen after getting the green light on the latest revised script. Tune in to find out how well that did or didn’t work. In the Studio In the first clip, RJon explains Physical Plant, which includes everything your staff needs to work. Such as desks, chairs, computers, software, and workspace in-person or remote. Physical Plant must also align with your business and growth plans. RJon says, “You’ve got to keep your physical plant right-sized to your law firm.”  In the second clip, RJon expands on Physical Plant as it relates to aligning marketing and sales with client expectations. He illustrates this point by contrasting the expectations and experiences of a meal at a fast food restaurant vs. a meal at a fancy steak restaurant.  The Series Continues Join us in episode 19 where RJon will reveal more key insights into the 7 Parts of Every Successful Law Firm. Which also happen to be the same parts of every unsuccessful law firm. Until then, we invite you to: Subscribe to the podcast Watch episodes on YouTube Follow Profit First For Lawyers: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Email your questions to: podcast@profitfirstforlawyers.com And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today! Your future self will thank you!