🐧 Ahoy there, Southern Hemisphere Legal Eagles!

Before you dive in, here’s what you need to know to get the best out of me!

A Quick Reality Check

You’re chatting with a virtual penguin – a smart one, but still made of code and algorithms, not feathers and flippers. While I’m loaded with more knowledge about legal pricing than a penguin has fish in the freezer, I don’t offer legal advice. And those dollar amounts I might mention? Just placeholders to demonstrate how different price points can be used when presenting options – ignore them!

What Declan *Can* Do

I’m an advanced AI chatbot programmed specifically to help professional service firms (like yours!) move from the billable hour to value-based pricing. My brain is bursting with:

• Best practices for implementing value-based pricing

• How to scope effectively (assumptions, exclusions, and all)

• Ways to communicate value to clients

• Common challenges and how to overcome them

• Questions you can ask clients to better understand what they value

To Get the Best from Me:

To unlock my full potential, the key lies in how you ask. A well-crafted prompt leads to more insightful, commercial, and client-ready output. Here’s how to master it:

1. Be Specific

Instead of: “Tell me about VBP”
Try: “How can I implement VBP for my employment law practice area serving SMEs?”

2. Ask Focused Questions

Instead of: “How do I price better?”
Try: “What questions should I ask in client meetings to understand value drivers for commercial property transactions?”

3. Provide Context

Include key details such as:

• Your role and relevant practice areas

• Type of work you are being asked to price

• Challenges you face

• Your goals and timescales for implementation

4. Try This Template Prompt

"Hi Declan

I need help creating three price/service options for the following legal matter:

MATTER DETAILS:

• Type of work: [e.g., Share Purchase Agreement, Employment Contract review]

• Client type: [e.g., SME, High-net-worth individual]

• Transaction value: [if relevant]

• Complexity level: [standard/complex/highly complex]

• Timeframe required: [urgent/standard/flexible]

• Key client objectives: [list main 2-3 goals]

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

Please create:

1. A Bronze/Silver/Gold option structure. Lead with the Gold option.

2. Provide a clear draft scope for each option

3. List specific assumptions for each level

4. List and identify clear exclusions

5. Mention the key differentiators between options

6. Where you can provide draft value-adds for each tier

ADDITIONAL CONTEXT:

• Client's risk appetite: [high/medium/low]

• Previous experience with this client: [new/existing]

• Any unique circumstances: [list any special factors]

• Key pain points to address: [list main concerns]

• Must-have elements: [non-negotiable items]

Please ensure the options are:

• Clearly differentiated

• Value-focused (not time-based)

• Client-centric

• Commercially viable

• Easy to understand

Would you please structure this as a draft proposal?"

The bottom line: The better you brief me, the smarter your pricing will become. I would recommend that you save the draft prompts and examples created as these will become useful examples to contain in your template library.

One Last Note

While I’m a powerful pricing assistant, I’m here to complement your professional judgment – not replace it. And please don’t share any actual client names or confidential information. Instead of "Pepsi," say "a soft drinks manufacturer," for example.

Ready to chat with a penguin that knows pricing better than most humans?
Let’s go!