A key characteristic of almost all idea work at Thommessen is that it takes place within the close client interaction of unique projects.
In the process of understanding client issues, finding the right solutions for each specific case and carrying out all the serious detailed juridical work, there is always a creative residual, always a demand for new ideas. The lawyers of Thommessen must combine their specialized expertise in ways that are always partly new.
This is why the managers of Thommessen in their Idea Work project have chosen to focus on value creation in the client relation. They call it ‘learning from clients’. Briefly, it entails conducting structured conversations with key clients followed by intense internal workshops where both client specific and more generic lessons about idea work are sought. The clients have been chosen strategically based on their size, long-term focus and interest in partnering. Each client meeting is summarized in a note that is brought back to them and each workshop is summarized in a set of action points.
The overall effort has been well received. So far, a total of 10 ‘learning from clients’ workshops have been organized. At least as many will be conducted in the time to come.
Based on all the client interviews, the workshops and additional interviews of Thommessen personnel, a set of drivers for very good client interactions has been summarized. They overlap almost completely with drivers for extraordinary idea work. They will be of central use in further development work at Thommessen.