The Practice Playbook Podcast with Susan Guthrie

• Early Wins: How Adding EDR Can Accelerate Your Practice Growth with Anne Jordan on The Practice Playbook Podcast #545

  If you’ve been looking for ways to expand your services, stand out in a competitive market, and deliver greater value to your clients, this week’s conversation is for you. Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) is transforming the way practitioners help clients resolve cases, faster, more cost-effectively, and with higher satisfaction on all sides. It’s also a smart way to grow your practice and position yourself as a future-focused professional. To explore the power of EDR, Susan Guthrie welcomes Anne Jordan, a Chicago-based arbitrator and mediator, Of Counsel to Mandell Menkes LLC, and one of the leading national voices on EDR. Anne serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial, Large Complex Case, Employment, and International panels, as well as the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. She’s also a Trustee of the EDR Institute and past chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s Task Force on Early Dispute Resolution, so she’s been shaping this movement from the inside out. Together, Susan and Anne break down what EDR really is, how its four-step process helps clients save time and money, and why it’s such an attractive service to offer as a mediator or dispute resolution professional. Anne also shares how the ABA and AAA are embracing EDR, and why now is the perfect time to integrate this approach into your practice and your marketing strategy. Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode: How EDR can give you a business advantage by delivering faster, more cost-effective results and attracting clients. Why introducing EDR early in a case can save time, money, and reduce conflict before litigation escalates EDR’s four-step framework and how it can be adapted to fit the unique needs of each dispute Why demand for EDR is growing and how being trained now gives you a clear edge. More About This Week's Special Guest, Anne Jordan:  Anne Jordan is a Chicago-based arbitrator and mediator, Of Counsel to the firm Mandell Menkes LLC, and a leading national voice on Early Dispute Resolution (EDR). She serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial, Large Complex Case, Employment, and International panels, as well as the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. Over the course of her career, she has handled countless high-value cases involving technology, intellectual property, and employment disputes. Before establishing her practice as a neutral, Anne served as General Counsel for three major technology companies — PeopleSoft, Sega of America, and Worlds of Wonder. Anne is also a Trustee of the EDR Institute and the past chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s Task Force on Early Dispute Resolution, playing a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of the EDR process. Website and Contact Information: Early Dispute Resolution Institute: https://www.edrinstitute.org/ Anne Jordan’s email: anne(at)annjordanassociates.com Social media: http://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-jordan-759867 ==================== This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party Build your practice like a CEO with Fourth Party, the all-in-one platform for dispute resolution professionals. Manage intake, scheduling, files, and payments in one place. As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you can get 20% off your first three months. Just visit fourthparty.app and use the code SUSAN20 at checkout.  Take control of your business and start building it like a CEO with Fourth Party. ============================ WANT MORE CONTENT? Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

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• Understanding Your Perfect Client: The Key to a Thriving Practice with Susan Guthrie on The Practice Playbook Podcast #544

  Susan Guthrie welcomes you back to The Practice Playbook Podcast with a focus on one of the most important shifts you can make in your business: moving from chasing clients to attracting your perfect clients. When you’re chasing, you’re hustling, discounting, and saying yes to everyone. It keeps you stuck in scarcity and often leads to burnout. Attracting, on the other hand, is about clarity, alignment, and building a practice that feels lighter, more intentional, and more successful. In this episode, Susan lays out the step-by-step process to help you research, define, and validate your perfect client profile and then put that information to work so that the right people naturally find you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why chasing doesn’t work long-term and how it keeps you in scarcity How to define your perfect client using both demographics and psychographics The key questions to ask yourself: Who brings out my best work? Who leaves me fulfilled? Who values what I bring? Practical tools for validating your perfect client profile through market research, from AI prompts to social listening to direct conversations Ways to put your research into action by refining your messaging, shaping your offers, and positioning yourself where your perfect clients already are ➡ Grab Your Copy of the Perfect Client Worksheet referenced in the episode:  https://susan-s-site-47d7.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder ================== This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party Build your practice like a CEO with Fourth Party, the all-in-one platform for dispute resolution professionals. Manage intake, scheduling, files, and payments in one place. As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you can get 20% off your first three months. Just visit fourthparty.app and use the code SUSAN20 at checkout.  Take control of your business and start building it like a CEO with Fourth Party. ============================ WANT MORE CONTENT? Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

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• Is LinkedIn Trying to Tell You Something? Why Your Old Videos Are Suddenly Going Viral with Susan Guthrie on The Practice Playbook Podcast #543

  Have you noticed something strange happening on LinkedIn lately? Old videos from months ago are suddenly resurfacing and getting traction? That’s not a glitch, it’s the algorithm talking to you. And if you’re not paying attention, you could be missing one of the biggest visibility opportunities available right now. In this episode, Susan shares how a nine-month-old video suddenly went viral and what that means for your own content strategy. LinkedIn has shifted its priorities in favor of short-form video, at least for now. Susan helps break down the best practices you can use to ride the wave of this (and future) algorithm changes. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: A quick checklist to optimize content for the LinkedIn algorithm Why short, direct, personal, educational, or emotionally resonant content performs best The importance of captions, attention-grabbing openers, and calls to action in video posts Why your LinkedIn profile is not a static brochure and how to use analytics to adjust what’s working and what’s not The bigger lesson: stay engaged with the platforms that work for you and repurpose content strategically If a nine-month-old ChatGPT joke can resurface and go viral, just imagine what your next post might do. Visibility is a moving target, but if you pay attention, you’ll stop guessing about what and how to post and start growing with intention. ================== Get Real, Actionable Strategies Join the free Profitable Practice Strategies webinar on Thursday, September 18th at 12 noon ET. In 60 minutes, Susan will walk you through practical, real-world tips that have helped hundreds of professionals raise their revenue, improve their systems, and finally feel in control of their practice. We’ll cover: * How to transition away from the billable hour * A consult framework that actually converts * How to position yourself to attract premium clients * Simple ways to use AI to save time and increase profit * Your next steps with a profitability checklist Whether you’re a solo, firm leader, or neutral in transition, this one’s for you. ➡️ Save your seat at susaneguthrie.com ============================ WANT MORE CONTENT? Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

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• Why Your Niche Isn’t Nice - it’s Necessary on The Practice Playbook Podcast #542

  Susan Guthrie is back with some big news: the podcast has a new name! Welcome to The Practice Playbook Podcast, your hub for building a smart, sustainable, and fulfilling practice. And what better way to kick things off than by tackling one of the most powerful (and most avoided) topics out there: finding your niche. Niching can feel scary. Maybe you’ve worried about turning people away, missing opportunities, or “leaving money on the table.” But the truth is, your niche is not a limitation, it’s the key to standing out, attracting the right clients, and building a business that feels aligned with who you are.  In this episode, Susan shares a simple, step-by-step playbook to help you get clear on your niche and shows you how to put it to work in your practice. This is a conversation full of “aha” moments and golden nuggets that will inspire you to focus your energy where it matters most: on the clients and work that light you up. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why so many professionals resist choosing a niche (and why that fear is holding you back). The difference between a job title and a niche and why the latter is where your power lies. A step-by-step process to reflect, refine, and test your niche so it feels authentic to you. Practical ways to leverage your niche, from your messaging and pricing to building authority in your field. Golden nuggets to remember, including: why a well-defined niche builds trust, credibility, and income faster. Resources and Next Steps: Grab your copy of The Flat Fee Playbook:  https://amzn.to/4213I22 Download the Find Your Niche Worksheet: LINK https://bit.ly/PPP-Niche-Worksheet   Join the waitlist for The Practice Accelerator, Susan’s brand-new subscription program packed with resources, tools, and community support to help you grow smarter. Inside The Practice Accelerator, you’ll get exclusive access to: Ad-free episodes A monthly behind-the-scenes email from Susan with insights, updates, and the real story of what she’s seeing in the industry Quick tip downloads like pricing tools, client scripts, checklists, and strategy sheets you can use in your practice right away And if you choose the higher tiers, you’ll even get live Q&A sessions with Susan, monthly office hours, practical, step-by-step action plans, access to our growing resource library, and discounts on courses and books. This is not just extra content, it’s structured support to help you implement what you’re learning here and accelerate your growth. It was created because it’s time we stop just talking about what works and start giving you the tools to build it. So if you want to be the first to know when we open the doors and get access to exclusive founding member perks, sign up for the early access list here!  ==================== This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party Ready to streamline your practice? Fourth Party is the all-in-one platform built just for dispute resolution professionals, handling your intake, scheduling, file management, payments, and more. As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you’ll get 20% off your first three months. Visit FourthParty.app and use code SUSAN20 at checkout to start building your practice like a CEO. ============================ CHECK OUT THE PRACTICE PLAYBOOK SERIES:  Susan's growing collection of practical, no-fluff guides designed for legal, mediation, and service-based professionals who want to build modern, profitable, and purpose-driven practices. Each book is a focused “playbook” packed with actionable strategies, tools, and templates to help you grow with clarity and confidence—one smart step at a time. The first title, The Flat Fee Playbook, launched as a #1 New Release on Amazon. The next book, The Thought Leadership Playbook, arrives October 1st— with more to follow covering branding, business planning, launching your practice, and more. Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susaneguthrie Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/practiceplaybookpod ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie is a top 1% attorney, mediator, coach, keynote speaker, trainer and #1 Amazon bestselling author with over 35 years of experience, now helping professionals build modern, profitable, and purpose-driven practices. A leader in the legal and dispute resolution fields, Susan is the former Chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution and the creator of The Practice Playbook Series and Podcast and The Practice Accelerator. Through her books, podcast, and coaching, she empowers legal and entrepreneurial professionals to grow with clarity, confidence, and impact.

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• Build It Like a CEO: The Tech You Need to Run a Successful Practice with Melissa Brogdon, CEO of FourthParty on Make Money Mediating #541

  Melissa Brogdon, CEO and co-founder of Fourth Party, joins me today for a must-listen conversation on the backbone of every successful mediation practice: your backend systems. Whether you're launching your practice or trying to fix one that's stalled, chances are the issue isn’t with your logo or your website colors—it’s in your operations. Melissa and I go deep into why building a strong business structure is make-or-break, what most mediators get wrong (spoiler: it’s not your branding), and how Fourth Party is transforming the way dispute resolution professionals run their practices. Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode: Why the backend of your business matters more than your brand colors How Fourth Party helps practitioners go from booking to billing seamlessly The role of onboarding and client experience in sustainable growth Why ease of use and thoughtful tech matter more than flashy tools What to audit right now in your intake process to avoid losing clients More About This Week's Special Guest, Melissa Brogdon: Melissa leverages a career in operations management as a law firm administrator and as a nonprofit executive. She has been recognized as one of Georgia’s top 40 under 40 business leaders and secured key partnerships with Google for Startups, SAP/Pyxera Global, and Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, Georgia’s oldest tech incubator. Melissa is a graduate of Spelman College and The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Website: https://www.fourthpartyapp.com Social Media: http://instagram.com/4thpartyapp ==================== This Episode is Sponsored by Smith.ai Never miss a client call again. Smith.ai’s 24/7 virtual receptionists combine live agents + AI to answer calls, chats, and texts — helping you capture more leads and boost client satisfaction. MMMP Listeners Get: $100 off first month (Code: GUTHRIE) 5% off bundled reception + chat 10% off annual plans 🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/MMMP-SmithAI ============================ WANT MORE CONTENT? Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

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