Authority Control in Library Thing. I love this.  Library Thing is offering authority control at the user level–users can combine multiple listings for the same author, basically putting this aspect of cataloging into the users' hands.  In fact, the computer guesses pretty well, presenting a list of likely aliases for in the “Also known as…”… Continue reading Authority Control in Library Thing

How many IT staff does your library need?. Do you feel like your library is under-IT-staffed?  Probably.  Most of the rest of us do too, so you're not alone.  If you're writing a technology plan or want to advocate for more IT staff, check out Lori Bowen Ayre's IT Staff Calculator.  It considers factors like… Continue reading How many IT staff does your library need?

Using BI to Improve Leverage. Yesterday I suggested that improving the process of assigning associates could improve partner profits. In fact, Bryan Cave, with its deep commitment to business intelligence, appears to have done so. I asked John Alber, the firm’s technology partner and author of several recent excellent articles on BI, to comment on… Continue reading Using BI to Improve Leverage

Easily Increase PPP by $27k?. Is there an easy way to increase per partner profits by $27,000? I previously reported that IBM’s global consulting business built a system to match consultants with the right job. Business Week (11/21/05) reports that using it, IBM “with 36,000 consultants in its system… saved $500 million in the first… Continue reading Easily Increase PPP by $27k?

Practice and Process Improvement in Law Firms. US corporations invest a lot in process improvements. And now law firms show signs of doing the same. Two recent ILTA white paper excellent articles (Don’t Support the Practice of Law – Support the Business of Practicing Law and The Value Proposition of the Business Analyst Role) describe… Continue reading Practice and Process Improvement in Law Firms

Susskind on Lack of Innovation in US Law Firms. Are you an innovation proponent in a large law firm? Ever wonder why life is hard? Richard Susskind, a leading legal technology thinker and consultant, writes an excellent article in the Financial Times Online: Backroom boys lead ‘positive disruption’ (free registration required; spotted on DennisKennedy.blog). Susskind… Continue reading Susskind on Lack of Innovation in US Law Firms

Buying a license. I have a box of Windows XP in my office. It's a retail blue box. And if [heaven forbid] the office burns down, I've lost that license. I have to rebuy it. The other day for our Business Insurance renewal I was asked to write down all the software licenses that I… Continue reading Buying a license

Ev Williams: Achieving balance with GTD. evhead: Ten Rules for Web Startups Ev’s ten rules for a startup are all strong, but #10 particularly caught my eye: #10: Be Balanced What is a startup without bleary-eyed, junk-food-fueled, balls-to-the-wall days and sleepless, caffeine-fueled, relationship-stressing nights? Answer?: A lot more enjoyable place to work. Yes, high levels… Continue reading Ev Williams: Achieving balance with GTD

Getting To Done: How to avoid “Rush Hour”.  by Keith Robinson My good friend Will recently asked for some advice dealing with what he calls “The Rush Hour”: …now between 4:00 and 5:00 has become the Rush Hour for me: how many proposals, quotes, emails, phone calls can you get out before most people head… Continue reading Getting To Done: How to avoid “Rush Hour”

Liberal Party Loses Vote of Confidence in Canada. Canada's three opposition parties voted to bring down the Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin, contending that the governing party is corrupt. By CLIFFORD KRAUSS. [NYT > Home Page]