How we are managing to maintain excellence in a world of chaos.
2020 has been a difficult year for many, with challenges for both businesses and customers in all industries. Constant adaptation has been required, as our typical working environments changed, out of all recognition, overnight. Nine months on, the pandemic is still surprising us with the latest challenges.
We have had some fantastic feedback from our clients over this difficult time, as shown in the word cloud here.
How we have dealt with 2020
Fortunately for us at EJ Coombs Solicitors and our sister firm in Surrey, KJ Desbottes and Co, we were already set up and operating with the latest technologies and flexible working practices. For many years now we have been using cloud-based document and client management systems, which are constantly updated to the latest technology, in partnership with our IT partners, and we have been using Microsoft Teams for internal document collaboration and communications, long before it became “a thing” this year.
We have also long embraced the concept of work-life balance and flexible working amongst our staff. For many of our staff, the concept of “working from home” was not a new one, albeit a change from occasionally working remotely to dealing with a sudden lockdown almost overnight back in the spring. However, as we already had systems, processes, and secure technologies in place to enable this, it was a seamless change for us, enabling us to concentrate on what we do best, which is to serve you.
The best of both worlds
Of course, like all businesses we have had to make further adaptations and have been making full use of video and audio meetings where appropriate, whilst still retaining the ability to see you ‘face to face’ where needed.
The experience of 2020 has shown the legal profession that there are some areas when remote working and virtual meetings are beneficial. However, there are other areas where that does not work at all; the ability to meet face to face is still vitally important for many – and will remain the mainstay of the profession for some time to come.
This is no more important than in family law where there are significant emotional and human aspects to a case, which are better dealt with in the same room. Unfortunately, there are also often reasons why you need to get out of the house to meet with your Solicitor.
Going forward we are in a position to offer you the best of both worlds. The “virtual world” in terms of cloud document management, video meetings, e-documents and forms. As well as the traditional “brick and mortar” business with face-to-face meetings and easy to access High Street premises.
We are looking forward to a 2021 with hopefully fewer challenges than 2020, but we remain here to continue to offer the same great personal service to all our clients and business colleagues alike.
