New this year at the 2023 NCRA Conference & Expo in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, July 27, NCRA is hosting special sessions for court reporting and captioning firm owners and managers at the Firm Owners Focus. The all-day networking and business-focused sessions, based on the successful NCRA Business Summit model, offer an additional opportunity for attendees to learn more about the best practices in the market.
“This program was built with the intention of offering something for everyone,” said Angie Starbuck, RDR, CRR, CRC, an agency owner based in Columbus, Ohio, who was instrumental in creating the Firm Owners Focus this year. “Whether you’re a one-person firm or manage a 25-person firm, you’re sure to find something for you. The best part about gathering with other firm owners is the casual conversations with others who are going through the same things you are. Sharing a table, talking on a break, or sharing lunch is a great time to learn from other firm owners. It’s also great to make those connections so when you go back to your office, you have someone to reach out to for networking jobs or sharing information.”
The Firm Owners Focus offers specialized sessions for court reporting and captioning firm owners and managers (and those who wish to own a firm) as well as a way to network with peers from across the country. Sessions include:
- Advertising and Marketing – Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck!
- Position Your Firm for Acquisition (Even if You Never Plan to Sell)
- Business Skills for Firm Owners
- Discover Career Launcher for Firm Owners and Educators
Mark Phillips, who will be presenting the session on positioning your firm for acquisition, said: “I’m excited to be presenting on business acquisition at the upcoming NCRA Firm Owners Focus. Most firm owners are quite aware of the acquisition activity in the industry, and many expect that will be their ultimate exit path, but they are so focused on the day-to-day operations of their firm that they put off thinking about a possible sale ‘until the time comes.’ Awareness of what drives valuation and interest from buyers allows firm owners to make subtle changes well in advance and focus on factors that will improve the firm’s value and their options down the road. These same principles are just as applicable to firm owners who will never sell because they make for a better company to own — one that’s more predictable, adaptable, profitable, and able to grow.”
The full day of sessions also includes a networking lunch so that attendees can get to know each other and swap stories of what works (and what doesn’t) in their locales. If you have a challenge that has been bothering you, this is the best place to get the advice you need. And your fellow attendees will be looking for your on-the-ground advice as well.
“I attend the firm owners meetings and encourage others to do so because it is the best way to take the pulse of our industry,” says Andrea Kreutz, CLVS, owner of Huney-Vaughn Court Reporters in Des Moines, Iowa. “It’s invaluable to discuss what is going on in the judicial system to ensure we maintain the accuracy of the record and never lose the trust of the people we serve. I hope to meet other owners who are like-minded and support the stenographic reporters and legal videographers 100 percent!”
Learn more and register on the 2023 NCRA Conference & Expo web page.
