We’ve all heard the phrase, “Work smarter; not harder”. However, this is often easier said than done. Despite the vision of a paperless office, the paper levels never seem to go down on people’s desks. “Email overload” is a reality. There are never enough hours in a day. So, how do we make this saying a reality?
One application that caught my eye at this year’s ABA TECHSHOW 2019 is called Zapier (https://zapier.com). It’s operational premise is a simple one: It links one application to another via a trigger or “zap”. Moreover, unlike triggers, it allows for multiple steps to create an automated process. Here is one scenario with some examples:
You are initially contacted by a potential client or customer —
- Send an email thanking the prospect for their interest and asking them to fill out an attached form (Outlook.com; Gmail)
- Prospect fills out the form (Typeform; Jotform; WuFoo) and emails it back to a specific address, which generates an electronic contract or fee agreement for their signature (HelloSign, DocuSign, SignNow)
- If a deposit or retainer is involved, the new client or customer can pay it (Square, Stripe, LawPay)…
- … and be prompted to get on your calendar for an initial meeting (Calendly; Accuity)
Zapier links with over 1,000 apps (vs. only 159 apps using Microsoft Flow) and visitors to their web site can see other examples of how this service links diverse applications to form workflows. Because it is a service, there is a “free” version, which allows only a total of 5 zaps in simple 2-step processes. This might be a good scenario for someone who wants to test this service. Costs for individuals range from $20 – $125 per month based on an annual contract, with corresponding increases in the number of zaps/connections allowed with increasingly sophisticated, multi-step connections, conditional logic and faster automation.
With a mantra of “Zapier Makes You Happier”, this application gets my vote for a useful service that can truly make individuals and groups achieve efficiency. We’ll leave it up to our readers to then determine what to do with the extra time in their days.
Our team of consultants learn much from attending technology conferences and we want to share our knowledge with you! Purchasing software or subscribing to a cloud application isn’t enough – your purchase(s) need to be brought in to your firm’s workflows and procedures. Call us at 877-357-0555 or write to us at [email protected] for implementation, customization and training services. Let us help you work smarter and not harder.
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Dana Riel is President and Founder of Business Solutions, Inc., serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1985. Her firm is the authorized training center for the region for Time Matters and PCLaw by PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC; Timeslips and Sage 50 Accounting by Sage Software; and QuickBooks by Intuit Corporation. She also serves as a consultant for Caret Legal (formerly known as Zola Suite), CosmoLex, Soluno & TimeSolv. As a trainer, Dana has provided training services to organizations such as the DOD Defense Logistics Agency, Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG)/Department of the Navy, University of the District of Columbia School of Law, U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as with small‐ to mid‐size law firms in the Baltimore‐Washington D.C. area. In 2009, she participated in the series of day‐long seminars sponsored by the District of Columbia Bar Association Practice Management Section, titled “Basic Training: Learn About Running a Law Office”. Ms. Riel also served as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s Paralegal Studies Program, having taught the course, “Legal Ethics/Legal Technology” in 2009; and “Legal Technology” for the Spring and Summer Semesters of 2010. She presently serves on the Advisory Board for PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC.