Business Description:
I am an attorney who enjoyed human resources, management and marketing careers before I attended law school. I now assist employers in defending workers' compensation, negligence and discrimination cases. I utilize conflict resolution techniques to resolve all types of claims. I also help small and micro-businesses develop contracts and other risk management procedures.
About Your Business:
What Inspired Your Business:
I was fortunate to get remarkable education, training and experience in the management program at a Fortune 500 company. I took the skills I gained in the program to minor league professional sport, where I also got an opportunity to use my creativity in marketing, event planning and licensing. Unfortunately, I learned that small and micro-businesses often cut corners that can bankrupt them. I took this knowledge to law school with the intent to return to sport facility management, but my opportunities have been broader than I expected. I now provide law. business and conflict resolution counseling to businesses of all sizes.
Most Unusual Client, or Client Story:
In my short tenure as a lawyer, I have won several negligence trials, but one of my greatest successes was a case I settled--for a dollar and an apology. In each of my cases, I try to remember that I am dealing with PEOPLE. Parties often demonize each other and stop communicating, which is what happened in this case I settled. All the plaintiff truly wanted was acknowledgment of his loss. The defendant was sorry for the loss, but truly believed the plaintiff named the wrong person. With the help of a volunteer mediator, I got the parties to talk about the true issues. We developed the settlement package, and both parties left the courthouse prepared to move forward with more pressing concerns in their lives. There is no better win than this.
Recent Business Surprise:
One of my clients recommended me for an experts' panel at the WE, or Women Entrepreneurs', conference sponsored by Country Living magazine. I am so excited to see the increase in WE, as well as the merger of female and male management styles in corporate America. This new focus on balance and acceptance of "answers in the gray" may get us closer to a utopian world culture than we have ever been.
For more discussion of gray areas, sign up for my monthly Grayfiti newsletter. To register, go to www.nschicklaw.com.
Fun Facts:
Top Selling Product/Service:
Workers' compensation defense and training
Best Place to Get Work Done:
On my PDA while traveling
Where You Plan to Retire:
Maui
Best Networking Tool:
My enthusiasm and Midwestern friendliness
My Most Interesting/Challenging Business Problem:
Allowing non-clients to get hours of free services
Business Challenge:
I became an attorney because I wanted (and still want) to help people with issues that would otherwise overwhelm them and keep them from being their most successful selves. Although presumably unintentional, many people take advantage of this and call me with the infamous "quick question" that consumes my day and takes me away from paying clients. This has a domino effect because I end up working late to complete my paid work. Then, I don't have time to take care of myself or spend time with my loved ones. The more I allow this to happen, the deeper I fall into the spiral. I get sick. I have leaner income. I become less effective and less enthusiastic about work. I "burn out."
Solution:
I hired a success coach. With her help, I have learned to develop and communicate clear requirements and expectations. I still assist non-clients, but I limit how and when so they do not interfere with those clients who have retained me and to which I have a higher duty. I became a writer on a small business blog. I teach seminars and appear on expert panels. I am developing downloadable forms and other online resources for small and micro-businesses to use in their day-to-day operations. I continuously seek ways to improve my efficiency and effectiveness.
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