Importance of Business Partnerships

Creating Positive Professional Connections

Positive business partnerships are vital to developing the careers of legal administrators, to the member firms, to our business partners and to the Association of Legal Administrators. Selecting the right products and services is an essential element of law firm administration. Business relationships are important connections and resources for legal administrators as they conduct the daily aspects of their jobs, plan for the future, and build their knowledge about products, changes and trends. Building future business relationships can help the legal administrator when a product or service has changed or when an additional product or service is needed. Positive relationships with vendors also provide a way to enhance the profession.

Building the Relationship

Business Partnerships are built over time as the legal administrators progress in their careers. Chapter business relationship activities can enhance the relationship building process while supporting both professional and Chapter goals. Chapter activities provide the forum to be in touch with a greater number of vendors in addition to those we deal with in our firms. Chapter activities allow time for the development of business relationships. Vendors are important to the continuous education of legal administrators providing current product and service information, trend information and funding for Chapter educational activities.

ALA's Vendor Relations Committee

The ALA Board of Directors recognizes the value of the relationships between business partners, administrators and ALA as an organization. In 1998, it created a Task Force to study the then current state of these inter-relationships. In 1999, the Board adopted the recommendations of that Task Force and created the Vendor Relations Committee. The Board charged this standing Committee with further adding value to the partnership between ALA members and vendors. The Committee works to facilitate communication, provide resources for feedback, and to emphasize the interdependence that exists among vendors, ALA members, their employers and the Association at all levels.

Vendor Relations Committee Advisory Panel

In 2006, the Board created a Vendor Relations Committee Advisory Panel. The Panel consists of representatives from six (6) legal vendor organizations. Participants on this Panel were selected through an application process and serve two-year terms. Their objectives include helping the Vendor Relations Committee (VRC) prepare the vendor education at the ALA Annual Conference; providing suggestions and feedback regarding the exhibit hall at the Annual Conference, regional and specialty conferences; working with the VRC to enhance the understanding and appreciation of mutually beneficial relationships between members, vendors and ALA; and acting as a sounding board for the VRC’s efforts to create a best practices environment at all levels of ALA.

Working with ALA's Chapters

Many Chapters have created vendor officer positions and committees and include positive vendor relations as a chapter goal. Chapters recognize the importance of vendor relations both to the business partner, ALA member, Chapter and Association. This recognition will help the vendor community and Chapters capitalize on business relationships and ultimately expand them.