For July's tech tips, we will delve into asynchronous work, what it is, and how to use it to your advantage.
What is "Asynchronous Work"?
Asynchronous work means team members work at their own pace and aren't expected to be available immediately. This can mean not having set work hours or schedules, giving the employees a more relaxed and flexible timetable. This flexibility can be especially beneficial in a field like a law firm, where case preparation, client communication, and research require uninterrupted focus and can occur at various times of the day or night.
How Does This Benefit Me?
Enhanced focus: Research shows employees are interrupted up to 15 times an hour. This can prove to be detrimental when preparing a case for trial or settlement. With employees doing extensive research, drafting detailed documents, and coordinating with experts and witnesses asynchronous work can be more convenient and advantageous.
Client Communication: Because clients often come from diverse backgrounds with their own differing schedules or being in different time zones asynchronous work enables employees to communicate with them at times that are most convenient for them, ensuring they receive timely updates and support.
Work-Life Balance: The demanding nature of a law firm can lead to burnout if not managed properly. With 52% of employees wanting to work asynchronously allowing team members to do so, can lead to increased job satisfaction and better overall performance.
Increased Productivity: Team members can work during their most productive hours, whether that's early in the morning or late at night. This flexibility can lead to higher quality work and more innovative solutions for our clients.
Implementing Asynchronous Work
To successfully implement asynchronous work, you will need to rely on several key tools and practices:
Effective and Clear Communication: Tools like email, project management software, and secure messaging apps such as Teams allow employees to stay connected and ensure everyone stays on the same page. Also being clear about what is expected helps. Be sure to tell employees how urgent something is, whether or not the topic is sensitive, and how complicated it will be.
Clear Expectations and Deadlines: While the timing of work is flexible, deadlines and quality expectations remain firm. This ensures that all tasks are completed in a timely manner, maintaining the caliber and efficiency of the services.
Asynchronous vs Synchronous: Be plain about what can be asynchronous and what should be synchronous. For example, what might need to be synchronous are one-on-one conversations with clients, reviewing case updates, or regular check-ins with employees about their work.
Challenges and Solutions
Asynchronous work is not without its challenges. Miscommunication or slower response times can occur with asynchronous work. Recent studies have also shown that 82% of employees feel increasingly lonely at their asynchronous jobs. However, by prioritizing clear communication, setting firm deadlines, and using regular check-ins with meaningful support, more and more companies are able to overcome these obstacles and create a productive and positive work environment.
Let's Review
As a law firm, adopting asynchronous work can allow firms to better serve clients, support team members, and maintain high standards of practice. You will see more uninterrupted work, increased critical thinking, heightened productivity, and employees with a more positive outlook on their work.
Comments