Around five and half years ago, the opportunity came up for me to buy my own practice. In the 16 years prior to that, I had always worked for other firms of solicitors and so, although I was competent in my areas of law and, because I had been a partner, I had some law firm management experience, I had never been responsible for running a whole practice myself.
Legal practice is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country and the consequences of getting anything wrong are enormous. The slightest spelling errors can lead to complaints, with fines attached, or negligence claims, with hefty penalties involved. Even minor regulatory non-compliance can lead to heavy sanctions and potentially the closing down of a practice and the end of a legal career.
I decided therefore, that, in order to concentrate on the legal work, without the time consuming distraction of all the administrative and management tasks involved in running a law firm, I would draw upon the support of the trusted relationships that I had developed within the Severn Valley Business Group over the previous three to four years.
I needed to comply with Health and Safety regulations. I needed security for the office building. I needed a telephone system.
I needed an accountant, not just to produce the annual accounts but also to guide me through the budgets, cash flow forecasts and tax and other financial considerations involved in running and developing a business.
Law firms depend heavily on IT; to produce complex and accurate documentation for clients quickly and in a cost effective manner, combining accounts and case management software, digital dictation, working within and outside the office while protecting our clients’ confidential data and having secure backup systems. I needed someone to set this up and keep it going.
I needed a website, branding, professional photographs of personnel and the office, stationery, business cards and promotional material.
I needed banking facilities, life and critical illness cover, office and public liability insurance and payroll services.
Either from the members of SVBG or from trusted contacts of those members, I found all the expertise and experience that I needed, some of it one off but most of it being regular, ongoing advice and assistance. Even the little things, such as the office hanging baskets and Christmas tree come from within the group.
As the business has developed, there is further help that I need and I am now drawing on administrative services such as marketing and HR, again from within the group.
It is not just that these services are available, it is that they come from people you know and trust and who are accountable to you and the rest of the group.
And it is not just the actual services provided by the members of the group and their contacts that I have found invaluable but also the wealth of knowledge that I can draw upon. Sitting and talking week in, week out with other business owners, who face the same challenges and opportunities, allows us to share knowledge and information that is not easily found elsewhere.
Finally, I am in business and my business needs to make money. As well as the services and advice that I receive from the group, I have also received and continue to receive referrals of legal work, producing revenue for the firm and introducing me to new clients, which, in turn, allows the practice to grow.
Over the last five years, my business has become financially stable and it has grown, the number of new clients and the turnover increasing year on year. This has been achieved by a lot of hard work from me and all of my staff but could not have been achieved without the Severn Valley Business Group and its loyal and giving members. If you are a member of the group, thank you, if you are not, please consider joining because it will benefit your business to do so.
Chris Milne
Sole Director, Onions & Davies Solicitors
I couldn’t agree more Chris – firstly I have very much appreciated the business you have given me, and I have also appreciated having a trusted Solicitor I could refer members of my family to, and feel confident they would get the best impartial advice for them.
Like you I have benefited greatly from having other members I could rely on and trust; for example my IT support (as I type at 9:30pm Neb is still driving back late from Nottingham have had a hell of day setting my Server stuff up for me).
So here is a list of services I have benefited from having sorted for me;
Personal
• Pension
• Life Insurance
• Mortgage
• Marquee, chairs, mature plants and lighting hire
• Flowers and Hanging baskets
• Legal advice and will
• Electrical Work
• Heating and Plumbing Work
Business (Direct and Joint Project)
• Office insurance
• Professional Indemnity
• Accountant
• Business Finance advice
• Business Finance to acquire new business
• HR support
• Branded Promotional Items
• Printing and Design Work
• Health and Safety, Fire risk Assessment
• Marketing
• Video Production
• Office Flooring
• Office IT set up and support
• Internet Server set up and support
This has saved me endless hours finding people to do this whilst at the same time I’ve avoided the worry of choosing a poor provider and receiving poor service. Along the way I have also had a few added extra’s both in terms of services being provided and free advice during the meetings.
Then of course there are the direct referrals of business I have had from the members (thank you), as well and the opportunity of working directly for some members too (thank you again).
So, like Onions & Davies my business is where it is today because of the help and assistance I have received from members of SVBG. What I have gained is not about the amount of business given to me, it’s the incalculable value of service, support and trusted suppliers I have access to.
Now I ask you, who wouldn’t want to have the same support for their own business?