Hoosier Lawyer

Opening a New Law Office --- LESSON 2: When only one thing won't work, its something you need

It used to be that when you talked about the importance of connections in setting up a new business, you were talking about "who you know."  Now that's called "networking."

But connections are still just as important in the modern office -- only "connections" now refers to the myriad wall outlets and jacks that electronically connect you to the world.  In modern business, they are the life support machines -- the phone, the fax, the Internet connection for email and the Internet.

Lesson 2:  If you have 20 outlets and jacks in your new office, but only two are absolutely crucial to your start-up operation, it is those two -- and only those two -- which won't work.

So it was in my office.  My computer technician and I worked for over an hour trying to hook my computer up to our little mini-network.  He tried everything -- twice.  Finally, there seemed no other option than checking the wall jack. 

Now, I was able to set up my desk so that the wall jack was accessible -- for plugging and unplugging lines.  But it wasn't set up to be able to dismantle the wall jack.  So, out came the screwdriver, and I had to dismantle a section of my desk in order to move it so there was access to the wall jack.  Sure enough, a couple of prongs inside the jack were bent.  A couple of tweaks, and -- ta-dah! -- I was connected to the Ethernet.

But there was also the matter of the printer/fax machine.  And again, it would not connect.  So now I could get on the Internet, but I could not print anything.  Another half hour of searching for solutions finally ended when we again decided to try the wall jack.

This time when Jason removed the cover, we were shocked to see that the prior tenant, for some unknown reason, apparently decided to simply cut the network cable to that wall jack.  After some repairs, we were up in operation.

But a task that should have taken 10 minutes, took about 2 hours. 

After that, we tested every single jack in the office.  Of course -- all of the other jacks -- the ones we did not need at that time --  worked perfectly.

Opening a New Law Office --- Lesson One: MEASURE TWICE, BUY ONCE

My office is open.  All those who have taken this step know the mixture of excitement and trepidation that comes with just hanging up your shingle.  But I thought I would share some of the lessons I've learned (and am learning) from the experience:

Lesson #1:  Measure twice, buy once.

Do not -- repeat:  DO NOT rely upon  "eyeballing" to buy office furniture -- even it you think you have a really good "eyeball."  Go out and buy a tape measure.  They cost under $5.  But it is worth it.

Before you go to shop, measure the office;  measure the hall ways;  measure the doors; and measure the clearance in any corners you have to maneuver.  Also, don't forget to measure the available room for furniture, and the space you need to leave for chairs, leg room, walking space, etc.

When you shop, measure the furniture before you buy.  Measure its height, width, and depth.  Also consider its configuration.  All that time measuring is well worth the effort.

By the way -- any one out there interested in a somewhat larger than it appears oak receptionist's station?