About Julian Midwinter & Associates

Who we are and what we do ...

Strategy-driven practice development for professional service firms is our business.

We help professionals:

win profitable new business
build valuable client relationships
grow successful professional practices
upskill their lawyers and professionals
restructure for vastly better results and returns
create and execute smart strategy
run excellent conferences and effective meetings
communicate with key stakeholders

through made-to-fit consulting services, advice, and resources.

Our consultants

We draw on our strong academic backgrounds, diverse capabilities, impressive career achievements and in-depth knowledge of how professional services firms operate to address issues, increase performance and improve profitability.

Introducing our consulting team

Consulting philosophy

We create strategy: achievable and successful strategy. Then, we work with partners and firm leaders to engage teams and execute to make it happen.

As thought leaders, we never take a pyramid or "leverage" approach by deploying an army of early-career consultants on projects. Each project is strategised, informed, and tightly managed by a stand-out expert in professional services management who first agree diagnosis with the client then crafts strategy in response. Senior consultants delegate only those tasks or project components which can be more economically and effectively serviced by another team member, also a well-credentialed professional.

We seek and accept only those projects or engagements where we can add substantial value, well in excess of our cost. Should a project or idea fail the test of sound strategy, or if it is unlikely to succeed, we so counsel clients and recommend better alternatives.

If we cannot deliver exceptional expertise, strong prospects of success, and excellent value for money, we prefer to direct clients to alternate sources of support or assistance.

Often we are able to forge relationships and networks among client firms to improve their competitiveness, appeal, and outcomes.

Deep understanding, sound appreciation, and real insight into the forces at work in dynamic legal and professional services market sector underpin our advice and service to clients.

Help us to help you

Principles

We value relationships
We are open, transparent, trustworthy, and committed
We always act with integrity in advancing client interests
We are thought leaders who initiate, challenge, and innovate
We are flexible, easy to deal with, and swift to action
We are dedicated to excellence in all that we do
We take accountability for delivering outstanding value
We work with clients who recognise the value we create and reward us.

Our values and beliefs

Pride makes it special
Money makes it mutual
Balance makes it sustainable
Purpose makes it worthwhile
Learning and "stretching" makes us grow
Fun makes it fresh
Friendships make it feel good.

Work environment

Purpose designed offices in leafy Mosman are our base. Office design facilitates activity based working and collaboration.

Each team member has an anchor point: an allocated desk in an open plan, collaborative work space. According to activities throughout the day, they move from their anchor point to the collaboration cafe, a quiet room, indoor conference area, or outdoor workspaces - shady or sunny - bordered by garden plantings.

Wireless networking, notebook PCs, Skype stations and webcams, follow-me PDAs and mobiles, central records storage, and a "minimise paper" regimen maximise flexibility within the work space and support working from home.

Whenever appropriate, we work with clients at their facilities.

Our community contribution

We believe in generously supporting the community and professions which have made it possible for us to build a healthy consulting practice and satisfying careers.

JMA team members give generous support to professional organisations and associations, especially in the legal community.

Giving back to professions which supports us takes these forms:

presentations to professional conferences
teaching the legal leaders of the future in partner accreditation courses
extensive (unpaid) research
contributing articles and opinion pieces to professional journals research projects
white papers on issues of importance
opinion pieces, analysis, commentary and advocacy through news media
strategic advice to boards and steering committees
assistance to practitioners in need.

Recipients of our substantive contributions to the profession which sustains us include:

Best Practice Lawyers
LawAustralasia
LawLink NZ
NZLaw
Law Alliance New Zealand
Austlaw
Australian Insurance Law Association
New Zealand Insurance Law Association
The College of Law
Asia-Pacific Professional Services Marketing Association
Professional Administrators Group
Committees and working parties of professional bodies
Law Society of NSW
Law Institute of Victoria
Law Society of Queensland
Law Society of South Australia
Law Society of Western Australia
Law Society of Tasmania
Law Society of ACT
Law Society of Papua New Guinea
Regional Law Societies.

Respect for environment

All our team members take environmental responsibility seriously. Our practical contributions include:

fuel efficient motor vehicles
locating offices for convenient and efficient public transport access
using public transport when practical
harnessing technology to eliminate unnecessary commuting, travel and printing
greening our office environment
responsible property maintenance
using green suppliers wherever feasible
use of energy rated equipment and rechargeable batteries
energy smart office and lighting
fresh air ventilation rather than air conditioning when conditions permit
air conditioning settings and temperatures adjusted according to daily conditions to reduce energy consumption.
biodegradable or recycled packaging
minimising paper use
sourcing paper with recycled content and double-sided printing
office recycling of toners, papers, plastics, cans, etcetera
separate waste and paper recycling bins at each desk.

Social responsibility

At Julian Midwinter & Associates, social responsibility is a central tenet.

Ethical and socially responsible behaviour is imperative: a personal moral obligation, good business practice, and an enlightened way to live and work.

We are committed to making a positive and generous contribution to our wider community. Our business and our professional conduct is invariably socially responsible.

Core to corporate social responsibility are our everyday business operating practices. We:

are a model and empathetic employer
provid of exceptional career development opportunities and solid support for talented young professionals
are adequately capitalised and a suitably funded organisation
operate the business with sound day to day financial management
are a responsible, fair customer and client of suppliers
are prudently governed, compliant with all legal and regulatory obligations
consistently contribute to industry and professional bodies
generously contribute to pro-bono services
are a leader in enlightened management practise.

Philanthropy and support for NFP sector

Our approach to philanthropy and support for the not for profit sector continues to evolve. As a minimum, we donate 10% of profits.

From 2011, this is more concentrated on a small group of selected organisations aligned with our values of protection of animals, social equity, health education and research, education and advancement of women in the third world, and conservation of the natural environment.

Support is currently provided to:

Team members, Linda Julian, Libby Maynard and Dott Hall serve as Board members and expert advisers to several not-for-profits including:

Others