Foley’s Senior Counsel Learn to Build Their Business Development Blueprint

Foley’s professional development offerings are designed to help our attorneys advance their professional goals at every stage of their career. These include tenure-based programs to help welcome attorneys into new roles at the firm. One such program is our Annual Senior Counsel Meeting, an in-person training focused on the skills our most senior associates are working to hone as they advance to partnership.

Over three days, the firm’s senior counsel participate in sessions designed to help them recognize and define their personal approach to business development, develop and execute a business plan that leverages their strengths and supports the development of a partner-level practice, and strategize on ways to grow existing client relationships.

Some of the key takeaways this group heard in these sessions include:

Having a business development plan gives your career strategic and proactive direction and an intentional roadmap to get there.
Articulate your unique “story” — what you want to be known for and what direction you want to see your practice go — and leverage that “story” to develop business.
It’s important that you make a plan that works for you. Be realistic about your personal business development style as well as your typical workload and commitments.
Take advantage of technology and other resources available to help you develop, implement, and track your business development plan.
Invite a trusted colleague or mentor to provide feedback on your plan and help hold you accountable.
Be consistent with business development activities. Even small, regular actions can move the needle.
Review your plan regularly and adjust it as needed, taking into consideration market changes and your evolving skillset, relationships, priorities, and commitments.
In addition to developing your own business development plan, create a plan to engage with your clients, colleagues, and referral sources.
Continually be curious about your clients — ask questions, listen, and learn about their business.

This program also allows ample time for senior counsel to further or establish connections with peers and firm leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the value in identifying opportunities, approaching problems, and serving clients as a member of a diverse, high-performing team.

Click here to learn about the other tenure-based programs we offer our attorneys that feature a range of professional skills training on individual and interpersonal abilities.

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