Since the advent of email, our lives and the way we communicate with all our clients and business associates have changed. Our inboxes and PDAs, are bombarded with emails that sometimes get ignored simply because we don’t have time to shift through each and every one of them.

This impacts our ability to communicate with the client when we need to provide them with crucial information leading to client dissatisfaction. This is not just an issue with a client but also our peers and associates.

Big corporations embraced the concept of internal web portals or intranets to address effective collaboration with peers and associates. Then came client and partner portals to have just as efficient and effective collaboration with clients and outside personnel.

That same concept is now accessible to small businesses and lawyers through technologies like NetDocuments client portal, AdvologixPM customer portal and Google Apps where you have the power to share critical information and documents.

Imagine a scenario where you require a client to review a document that is emailed on Monday. The document needs to be filed with the court on Wednesday. Client sends the document back to you on Tuesday but you missed the email and it is sitting in your inbox. Wednesday deadline passes and on Friday, you discover you have completely missed the boat. Possibility of Sanctions?

Now imagine the scenario with a client portal. You place the document on the portal which notifies the client automatically that a document needs their attention. A task is added to your assistant’s calendar to follow up. The client reviews it and either approves it or suggests changes. After relevant exchange of instructions, the assistant has the approved document ready to be filed on Wednesday and you don’t have to carry that burden on your shoulders.

How incredibly valuable is that? You have a satisfied client who is going to brag about the efficiency and superior level of customer service your firm provided giving you the opportunity to bring in new business via word of mouth. Get the same level of satisfaction with your peers and outside counsel.

Differentiate yourself from the attorney next door with a new and innovative way of communicating with your clients. Go beyond email for client collaboration.