Well, you're right. It does require quit a feat of mental gymnastics to picture comedian Chris Rock at home in the practice of law. But he uses a technique that most law firms could profit by using.
In his world, one where the successful comedian's stock in trade is new ideas - emphasis on "NEW" - he has found a means to give new jokes and routines a test run or two before betting his career on them. Take a look at Harvard Business Journal's Peter Sims' discussion of Rock's creative process.
Many law firms reject opportunities to launch profitable innovation because they perceive there is too great a risk.....or that they must entirely throw out the old before bringing in the new. How might a firm try something new at an off-off-off Broadway venue before betting the farm on it? Well, how about one client at a time? You might even tell this client it is an experiment and recruit them to advocate for your attempts at service improvement by pledging to give you honest - perhaps even painful - feedback. You'll be surprised how many corporate clients see innovation as a good thing!
The truth is, much innovation in law firms occurs this way. Some lawyer or practice group slips under the radar with a concept so weird it would NEVER be approved, if approval was sought. Over time, this idea takes root. Someone notices a sizable blip in profits. An inquiry is made. Ah HA! Suddenly that weird little idea becomes "the way we do things around here."
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