I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends! The Value of Vendor Relationships in Law Firms

So many of my fellow secretarial colleagues are quick to say "Oh, I don't meet with vendors."

But before you throw the baby out with the bathwater, think about it.

There are many people that I'm proud to call friends that I've met through "vendor relationships" at the law firm.

Yes, we're all busy.   I get it.  But, you have to take a break during the day, right?  Or, at least you should try.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm absolutely opposed to and appalled by people who accept gifts, money, trips, etc. in exchange for scheduling depositions or large copy orders and the like.

But there is absolutely nothing wrong with and there is a value added bonus to forming relationships and networking with others in the legal industry.  It's a small legal world.  Your vendor today might be your office manager tomorrow.

So, before you slam that door as if the "Fuller Brush Man" just knocked, remember that might be a former presidential candidate booking depositions for that large national court reporting chain.

On second thought - not a good analogy.

Anyway, you might be missing out on getting to know someone with whom you have more in common than you think.

It can be a cold cruel legal world.  We need all the friends we can get.

So, "Staff Appreciation Day/Week" is over - feel better now?

I am not going to get into the origins of "Staff Appreciation."  

You probably don't even remember that it was initially called "National Secretaries Day."  Well, that went out with the job title  "airline stewardess."

Employers finally got the message that there is much more political correctness in calling everyone "professional staff."  Me, I still say "secretary." 

If your firm is like mine and really went way out for Staff Appreciation, you're probably feeling like I am this week.  What??  No on-site barista???  Where is my Wednesday afternoon "ice cream social?"  "I want Happy Hour!"

Or, maybe you're one of those people who says, "I'd rather have the money."  The truth is, I'd rather have the time set-aside by my bosses who acknowledge me and my efforts and say "we really know how hard you work, you deserve something special."  

And then they can give me money.

Kidding.   Not kidding.