Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, writes an annual letter to shareholders. The letters inspired and reinstilled the message that Amazon’s core values will never change and no matter how successful Amazon is, they will always live by the “Day One” values of being frugal, having a “beginner’s mind” and taking a long-term view. These annual letters are priceless.
“If we think long-term, we can accomplish things that we couldn’t otherwise accomplish.”
Carmine Gallo, “The Bezos Blueprint”
Bezos did not set limits on his ideas. Bezos says, “[A]nything you set your mind to, you can do.” In his letter to the shareholders, Bezos that, “We will make bold rather than timid decisions.”
Why You Should Measure Backwards
When we measure backwards and see how far we’ve gone, we realize that we have a lot to be grateful for. There will always be things that we don’t have, or goals that we have not achieved, but let’s not focus on them. Instead, let’s focus on what we’ve achieved.
I decided to reflect back on 2023 and share our firm’s achievements and goals for 2024 and beyond. I think we should all do this.
Annual Letter to our Shareholders
Reflecting back on 2023, it’s good to take a moment to realize how far we’ve come.
- Our firm has been in business for 11 years.
- Our firm has 603 Google reviews (2nd most of any law firm in New York)
- Our firm has 599 loyal referral partners, who place their trust in us.
- An amazing intake team that is best in class and a model for other law firms. Our intake team does an extraordinary job updating our referral partners.
- We added an amazing litigation paralegal, Kelly Gonnelly and our organization and case management have never been better.
- Our case inventory is much higher and better quality than ever before. Our clients are good people and it is an honor working for them.
- Our marketing systems—online and offline—are flourishing. We have no lack of business.
- John published his legacy book, Win Today.
- John published his second article, Seeing is Believing, in TRIAL magazine.
- I work with a team that I love, respect and admire and I look forward to coming to work every day.
We are in a stronger position now than at any time in the past. We’ve grown larger in team members, but we are the same law firm with the same sense of urgency. Going forward, we will make bold decisions. We will not be timid.
Our Bold Change in 2024
Success at our firm is dependent on one thing: passion for the rights of the disabled. We are just as passionate about those injured in a wreck as those killed or hurt by medical malpractice. We need to expand our practice beyond medical malpractice.
The single most important thing we must accomplish is generating other sources of revenue beyond our concentration on medical malpractice. We can never be complacent.
Our purpose of “Stopping Medical Injustice” will continue to be our firm’s north star and guide our decisions. But our passion for the disabled will not be limited to medical malpractice. We will expand our practice into truck and train wrecks and construction-related injuries.
We need to plant many seeds with our referral partners and prospective referral partners. These seeds will convey a clear message that we are accepting catastrophic injury cases in personal injury. This will be just the first step.
2024 is the Year of Getting Stuff Done
We are making a bold move in 2024. This year, we are hiring an integrator/chief operating officer, who will be empowered to change the course of our law firm. Our goal is that our law firm will look much different in 3 years. How? 50% or more of our revenue will be made from non-medical malpractice cases.
Our integrator will open a new office for our law firm in the Bronx and our goal will be establishing a strong presence in New York City and Long Island. Our integrator will make connections with union leaders and make sure our referral partners are aware that our practice is not limited to medical malpractice. Our integrator will make sure our firm looks much different in 3 years.
This is a change in our firm’s structure that is long overdue. With your dedication and hard work, I know we can achieve great things in 2024 and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
