Laying the Foundation for Innovation in Professional Services Firms
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Why Lean Must Come Before Project Management, Pricing, and Technology
Innovation is a hot topic across professional services — from law and accounting to consulting and healthcare. But while firms talk about innovation, many struggle to turn ideas into real operational change.
In this webinar, Mark Graban of KaiNexus is joined by Karen Skinner and David Skinner, founders of Gimbel, to explore why Lean thinking and continuous improvement must form the foundation of sustainable innovation.
Rather than starting with technology, project management tools, or new pricing models, successful firms begin by optimizing their core processes and eliminating waste.
Why Innovation Is Urgent in Professional Services
Professional services firms face mounting pressure:
- Clients demanding transparency, predictability, and fixed fees
- Increased competition from non-traditional providers
- Commoditization of routine work
- Technology and AI reshaping knowledge work
- Downward pressure on margins
Firms can no longer rely on legacy business models. Innovation is no longer optional — but it must be built on a strong operational base.
The Problem with “Innovation First”
Many firms jump straight to:
- Legal or professional project management
- Alternative fee arrangements
- Pricing managers
- Knowledge management systems
- Technology automation
But without optimized processes, these initiatives often reduce profitability or increase complexity.
You cannot manage or price inefficiency effectively.
Lean provides the structure to eliminate waste first — then layer innovation on top.
What You’ll Learn in This Webinar
- Why professional services firms struggle with innovation
- How Lean creates a foundation for sustainable change
- The connection between process improvement and pricing
- How project management becomes powerful after optimization
- How incremental improvement builds cultural momentum
- How to identify waste using the DOWNTIME framework
- Real examples from law firms successfully implementing Lean
Key Concept: Incremental Improvement Works
Professionals often say:
“We don’t have time to improve.”
Lean challenges that assumption.
By shaving even one minute off a task performed multiple times per day, teams can recover dozens — even hundreds — of hours per year.
Small improvements compound.
When organizations commit to continuous incremental improvement, they create capacity for innovation without increasing workload.
Case Study: Building Innovation the Right Way
One midsize Canadian law firm began by:
- Training a core group in Lean fundamentals
- Mapping and optimizing key processes
- Introducing visual management and Kanban boards
- Creating dedicated time for improvement work
- Layering in project management and pricing reforms
The result: more predictable delivery, improved margins, greater client satisfaction — and a growing culture of continuous improvement.
Who Should Watch
This webinar is ideal for:
- Law firm leaders
- Accounting and consulting firm partners
- Healthcare administrators
- Professional services executives
- Innovation and operations leaders
- Anyone seeking sustainable, process-driven innovation
If you work in a knowledge-based industry and feel pressure to innovate, this session will provide a practical roadmap.
Watch the Webinar
Discover how Lean thinking helps professional services firms move beyond talk — and build real, sustainable innovation from the ground up.
About the Presenters
Karen Skinner
Karen Skinner is the co-founder of Gimbel, a Lean practice management advisory firm focused on improving how professional services firms deliver value to clients.
Karen practiced law for more than 20 years in large firms in Canada and overseas, as well as as a solo practitioner focused on corporate finance, advisory work, corporate governance, and risk management. She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
For the past several years, Karen has worked extensively with law firms and professional services organizations across North America to apply Lean thinking, process improvement, and operational excellence principles to knowledge work. She teaches, writes, and speaks about the practical application of Lean in professional services environments.
David Skinner
David Skinner is the co-founder of Gimbel and brings more than 20 years of legal experience to his work in process improvement and innovation.
He spent half of his career practicing in large international law firms in Canada, Europe, and the UK, and the other half serving in senior in-house counsel roles for companies in London and Montreal.
David now works with law firms and other professional services organizations to rethink how legal services are delivered. His focus is on improving legal and administrative processes, enhancing efficiency, and helping firms build sustainable foundations for innovation through Lean principles.
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