These are not the best of times in our state or our profession.   We’ve been rocked by an unprecedented downturn in the auto industry that has affected business activity in virtually all segments of the economy.  That means fewer business transactions, fewer deals being made, and fewer cases being litigated.  Tort reform has had an even bigger negative effect.  Products liability cases are now rare.  The “open and obvious” defense, i.e., where the premises owner is deemed to owe no duty to visitors regarding open and obvious hazards, has eliminated all but the most egregious premises liability claims in Michigan.  The 2003 Michigan Supreme Court decision in Kreiner v Fisher has significantly reduced the number of auto negligence cases being filed.  As if this wasn’t enough, we face continuing competitive pressure from audio and video recording, as well as aggressive nationwide contracting.  These various situations are affecting all reporters, freelance and official alike.

It’s not like the “good old days”, and we can’t afford to operate like we always have.  Every one of us - yes, that means you, too - must begin to market ourselves and our profession at every opportunity.  We must take some time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our businesses and this profession and design tactics and strategies that will bolster our positions so we can ride out the storm and ultimately emerge stronger than ever.  But how?

Each of us knows our clientele best and should focus on keeping them.  Ask your clients how you can improve service.  We reporters are absolutely content to hide behind our little steno machines and computers, not uttering one single word.  That’s the nature of our profession.  Afterward, however, is a completely different story.  Strive to improve yourself by identifying what your clients’ priorities are.  What do they like or dislike about reporters?  Ask them!  If not the actual attorney, then his or her secretary.   Find out and tailor your efforts to appeal to them.  Can that be daunting and uncomfortable?  You bet.  Don’t like to be the squeaky wheel?  Absolutely.  Ask yourself this question then:  How long can you afford to idly sit by and watch others take your clients right out from under your nose?

Do research.  Find out how or why your service and product (the transcript) IS better than what other means of taking down the record can provide and KNOW it so you can explain it to your client.   Stress value, better looking transcripts, realtime capabilities, much quicker turn-around time, no inaudibles, better indexes, and email delivery of transcripts.  Follow up before and after a deposition or realtime court case.  Confirm before and demonstrate concern for your client by assuring satisfaction and accuracy afterward.  Do everything within your power to satisfy that client.  That should be your goal.  Look and act professional.  Take every opportunity to reinforce to your client and all other attorneys present the advantages of real, live reporters on a case.  For insurance company clients, find out how you can best serve their needs, which may differ from that of an attorney.

Keep yourself visible with occasional – not annoying – email messages.  Keep them short reminders of why and how you deliver value.  Promote your profession, and keep doing it.  Be creative.  We can no longer take ourselves and our profession for granted, and by no means should we allow our clients to do the same.  We need to raise our profiles and that of court reporting in general. 

After you read this article, give some thought as to how we can work together to improve and strengthen our profession.   I look forward to any and all input from reporters across the state.  Get involved in your state association, your strongest ally.  If there ever is a need to call on MAPCR for help, by all means contact one of the board members.  He/she will be more than happy to address your needs or point you in the right direction.  Have a safe and joyful summer!