Alicia Pierre founded Legally Techie™ after realizing that boutique law firms needed to be guided through our technology-driven society. She helps them strengthen their clients’ trust by mitigating data security risk and increasing productivity through Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite. Most of the legal industry was not ready for a pandemic or a remote work environment, and cybercriminals knew that.
Alicia is a former computer system engineer for AmEx who decided to go into the legal industry to serve her community better. For the past five years, she gained insight into law firms’ dynamics and their dependency on constant collaboration, both internally and externally. Never forgetting her love for technology, she saw its effectiveness when combined with legal operations. Being Google Cloud Certified helps her recognize all the security and productivity tools given to law firms through their branded Gmail.
What is Legally Techie all about?
Legally Techie is passionate about security and productivity within Google Workspace Business. We want boutique law firms to maximize all tools and features they have within their branded Gmail, mostly at no additional cost.
Since 94% of malware is delivered via email, we guide and implement the security settings on the backend of our clients’ Google environment; that is a feature that a free @gmail.com account doesn’t support. Now more than ever, boutique law firms need a secure environment, whether remote or hybrid. While it is easy to run a business on a free Gmail account, I don’t advise it. Not only is it not professional as a business, but it will not be as secure as you may want it.
We show our clients how they can have the IT infrastructure of Big Law without having to hire a full-on IT team. We integrate their practice/case management system (e.g., Clio, PracticePanther, ActionStep) with their Google Workspace environment. Once combined, my clients have a full-on secure cloud-based firm, not to mention efficient. We become their go-to IT consultant for their needs. We pride ourselves on knowing that our clients can cut overhead costs and positively impact their bottom line.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
After working as a legal assistant for a state agency and then a senior administrative coordinator for a boutique Law Firm, I quickly noticed that technology wasn’t an attorney’s strongest argument. I became one of the firm’s main points of contact when IT decisions needed to be made or implemented.
Over time, I discovered how much Google Workspace was evolving into this centralized communication hub for law firms, no matter their size. Eliminating the need to purchase additional tools (e.g., DropBox, Zoom, Slack, or Microsoft 365 subscriptions)
As COVID continued to spread around the globe, remote work became an obligation for many. Yet still, boutique law firms had two main concerns: security and productivity. I wonder to myself, ‘How many boutique firms need someone to advise them through this digital shift that’s occurring? I decided to combine my Google Workspace expertise with their needs resulting in a profitable law firm ready for a secure transition to the cloud.
What was the biggest problem you encountered with your business, and how did you overcome it?
Due to the lack of specializations of Google workspace specifically for law firms, Legally Techie created a path that few were aware of. We had to figure how to communicate with attorneys in a way that resonated with them. As much as I wanted to talk to them in plain Google, they assumed it didn’t apply to them, when in fact it did.
To overcome this, we spoke to attorneys, many other attorneys. We wanted to hear from them firsthand their issues and how they dealt with the digital shift. Those insightful conversations helped us see how they viewed their problems and what they were currently doing to resolve them. It is always better to let your audience tell you what their issues are, and then you let them know you have a solution or not. It should not be the other way around.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from it?
I have learned to always seek professional advice, whether it is from a licensed attorney or CPA. It is so easy to think, let me just Google this legal question or just ask a fellow entrepreneur, but those are just many opinions and some are not based on facts or do not apply to your situation.
We failed to seek professional advice regarding trademarking, resulting in more money being used to get the job done effectively. While platforms like ClubHouse provide an easy way to speak to an attorney or “professional” more easily now, I advise you to remain cautious and careful.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
I invest in myself daily by taking in more knowledge. We all know technology is ever-evolving, so I make sure I get alerted on the latest articles on emerging technology and new Google updates. I want to advise my clients with the most accurate information and make decisions based on that.
Also, I invested in professional learning courses. These videos or webinars allow me to grow as a leader, communicator, and professional. I suggest Pryor Plus or LinkedIn Learning, both of these platforms have a wide variety of videos and training to enhance your professional and leadership skills.
What are three books or courses you recommend for new entrepreneurs?
A book by Elaine Pofeldt called ‘The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business’ really provided me the advice from hundreds of business owners who were able to launch and grow their business. This book also helped me see the benefits of outsourcing and delegating certain things to those who do that task every day. You think you’re saving money by doing it yourself, but if it takes you two hours of your company time to handle a task and someone else 15 mins, it is best to delegate or outsource it. Those two hours spent would have been better used on closing a potential deal with a client. Also, this book advocates for a work-life balance, which I know is hard to have but so vital to longevity as an entrepreneur.
Within LinkedIn Learning, if you have about an hour to spare, this quick course, ‘Leading with Emotional Intelligence’ by Britt Andreatta, Ph.D., helped me better perceive myself accurately, exercise emotional self-control, understand and manage my triggers, and develop empathy for others. I can build my awareness of others and become a more inspiring and effective leader.
This recommendation isn’t regarding a book or course, but connecting people on LinkedIn regarding the industry you’re in helps see how someone may do the same thing more efficiently. I have been able to make connections with others who are more experienced but willing to share their knowledge, which has helped me grow as a professional and entrepreneur.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
The most effective strategy is knowing where your audiences are, instead of trying to master Tik Tok, Instagram, or every social media platform. Figure out where your future clients are hanging out and discussing their issues. Not only that, you will learn what they are talking about and what matters to them.
Honestly, you do not want to waste time trying to learn a new platform, create content, and then have no one even care about what you’re talking about because your audience is not there. That has been the most effective marketing strategy because I have concentrated my efforts on a platform that will generate revenue.
If you only had 1000 dollars to start a new startup, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
We would hire the best marketing agency! To have someone who can see my idea, hear my vision, and goals and translate it into a good storyline, a captured audience, and constant revenue. That’s genuinely worth gold! People often have great ideas, but they do not know how to communicate that with the world. Unfortunately, most businesses don’t thrive because of it.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
Task emails within Gmail. This function allows me to execute the parking lot method with my emails quickly. I drag and drop them to the task panel within my Gmail. I put a date and time on the task, so it reminds me that I need to get back to the email. This hack has cut my checking emails in the morning routine by half the time. It truly saves me so much time instead of handling every email as soon as I get it, especially when I can attend to it later.
What is your favorite quote?
This quote connects with me in many ways;
You have to believe it to see it.
If I don’t believe that what I know is of value and makes a difference in someone’s life, how can I convince others? Having this firm belief allows me to be resilient and overcome any challenges. I already see where I want to accomplish with my business, which will enable me to map out my business goals.
Besides the obvious social media tools available, what are the top 3 most useful tools or resources you’re currently using to grow your business?
I would be silly not to mention Google Workspace; it truly helps me build a scalable business foundation. Also, having a legit CRM platform (e.g., Dubsado, HoneyBook) these tools help move clients along a smooth pipeline. With emails automated and written, it saves me so much time to do other things that can help grow your business.
Lastly, Google Trends allows me to search keywords that people across the nations are searching for on Google search. This tool also lets me know where they are doing these searches. Now, when I want to pay for ads, I know the best locations to market.
How can readers get in touch with you?
You can visit our company website, Legally Techie; Get in touch with me on social media via Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also email us at contact@legallytechie.com.
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