Heather J Gore Liddell & Christopher Marohn

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, continuing legal education (CLE) organizations face new challenges in providing effective leadership to drive business growth. In today's competitive environment, CLE organizations must be agile and innovative in their approach to building business. In this blog post, we will explore strategies, resources, and common problems associated with providing leadership in CLE organizations, with a focus on building business in new ways.

One key strategy for CLE organizations to build business in new ways is to prioritize market research and customer insights. Understanding the needs and preferences of your target audience is essential in developing relevant and appealing CLE programs and services. This can be achieved through various methods such as surveys, focus groups, and data analysis. Traditional methods such as phone calls or conducting in-person, face-to-face 1:1 conversations with the potential market are also quite effective. Further, when conducting market research, many junior or transitional lawyers may not know the skills and competencies they need. Connecting with a few more senior subject matter experts will ensure all “need to know” topics are also covered in your market research. While this may be a time-consuming exercise, by collecting and analyzing data on market trends, customer feedback, and competitors' offerings, CLE organizations can identify opportunities for growth and tailor offerings to meet the evolving needs of their customers. TIP: Ensure your chosen format is accessible to those you are questioning, and that the questions are written in a clear, non-leading manner. You should also clearly communicate the time commitment participation in the survey, focus group, etc., will require.

Another important strategy is to embrace technology and innovation. Technology has transformed the way we live and work, and CLE organizations need to adapt to the digital age to remain competitive. Investing in cutting-edge learning management systems (LMS), online platforms, and other technological solutions can enable CLE organizations to deliver high-quality and convenient learning experiences to customers. This may include offering online courses, webinars, virtual conferences, and other digital offerings that provide flexibility and accessibility to busy legal professionals. Additionally, can technology, collaborative platforms, or AI be used by your team to help streamline and create efficiencies in their day-to-day work tasks? ChatGPT4 has a host of new features that could contribute—successfully—to work product. For instance, could this help write marketing copy? Provide analysis of data or the competitive landscape? For these reasons, and more, any CLE organization should not only research these as topic ideas for their programs, but for internal training as well.

In addition to technology, CLE organizations should also explore strategic partnerships and collaborations as a way to expand their business. Partnering with other organizations, such as bar associations, law firms, or legal vendors, can provide access to new markets, expertise, and resources. Collaborating with other stakeholders in the legal industry can lead to mutually beneficial relationships that may drive business growth and innovation.

Resources play a critical role in the success of CLE organizations. Ensuring that the organization has the necessary financial, human, and technological resources to execute its business strategies is essential. This may involve securing funding from sponsors or donors, recruiting and retaining top talent, and investing in infrastructure and technology to support the organization's operations. Adequate resources are key to supporting the execution of strategic initiatives and driving business growth. Over the last few years, the competitive job market and virtual on-boarding has been a challenge for many organizations, including CLE providers. While this may not be the case long-term, these are issues that will confront all senior leaders for at least the next one to three years. While it may be daunting and unclear what the right path is, leaders can only make the best decisions possible with the information they have (or best predictions based on such information). The key to success is to check in on your plan and strategies to ensure you have time to pivot and revise before it is too late. It is also important to have a succession plan in place and clearly documented processes to ensure your organization is protected, should any key staff leave.

However, there are also common problems that CLE organizations may face in providing effective leadership for business growth. One challenge is navigating the complex and changing regulatory environment. CLE organizations must stay updated on changes in accreditation requirements, compliance standards, and other regulations that impact their operations. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements can result in penalties, loss of accreditation, and reputational damage.

Another challenge is addressing the diverse needs and expectations of a multi-generational workforce. CLE organizations may have employees and customers from different generations, each with their own unique preferences and expectations for learning and professional development. Effective leadership requires understanding and accommodating these differences, such as offering a mix of traditional and digital learning formats, providing opportunities for mentorship and coaching, and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that embraces diversity.

In conclusion, providing leadership in CLE organizations is complex and requires a strategic and innovative approach to building business in new ways, including frequent touchpoints on whether or not your strategy is “winning.” Strategies such as prioritizing market research, embracing technology and innovation, exploring strategic partnerships, and ensuring adequate resources are essential for driving business growth. However, CLE organizations must also navigate challenges such as regulatory compliance and addressing the diverse needs of a multi-generational workforce. By leveraging these strategies and resources while addressing common problems, CLE organizations can position themselves for success in today's dynamic legal landscape.

Whether you are a current SIG/Committee Chair or are interested in becoming one, be sure to check out our recently posted information video and sheet for SIG and Committee Chairs http://www.aclea.org/page/sig_committee_main