With the economy in turmoil, budgets being scaled back and layoffs looming large, many law firms are evaluating how best to deal with leaner times.

Some practices have already made staffing cuts in response to reduced client demand, while others have taken steps to reduce overhead and to increase productivity. Although their strategies may vary, the challenge for all firms is the same - change your financial model or struggle.

Technology implementation is one way to impact a firm's cost structure. There is an up-front price to pay, but the right technology can begin to reduce operating expenses almost immediately.

Eliminate lower-value tasks

One common misconception that seems to hold firms back from technology adoption is the belief that productivity improvements will necessitate staff reductions. Having seen how technology implementation in manufacturing firms has resulted in jobs being eliminated, professional firms have been reluctant to follow the same path. Fearing the potential loss of dedicated support staff members, some firms have tried to find a workaround - a new work process that will keep their talented team members employed without the use of new technology. It doesn't always work.

But while new technology does not necessitate layoffs, it does allow better use of everyone's time - from attorneys to paralegals to clerks and other administrative staff members. Instead of being assigned menial or clerical tasks, staff members can be given higher-value assignments that benefit the firm and the employee's professional development.

Using computer technology to standardize work processes, investing in multifunctional output devices and doing more online ordering of needed products and services are just a few ways to reduce the amount of time your staff spends on lower-value tasks.

Enhance job satisfaction

By increasing attorney productivity and reducing the amount of administrative work to be done, staff members can be reassigned to more challenging, higher-level work. It's the old trickle-down effect - as attorneys can hand off more of their work, other team members have the opportunity to step up and take it on. They can make better use of their time, replacing more menial tasks with more thoughtful, strategic assignments.

Eliminating lower-value work allows employees to enjoy more interesting challenges and enhanced job satisfaction. In turn, that can reduce turnover and training costs.

Make up lost capacity

If you're among the many firms struggling to do more - or even just as much - with fewer employees, technology is going to be your key to reacquiring the work capacity you've lost. The trick is better use of time, which is possible with improved use of your existing technology, as well as the potential introduction of new equipment to pick up the slack.

Exploring new ways of completing tasks is the first step. For example, in the age of voice mail, perhaps you can invest in a new phone system and take turns picking up the calls from folks who don't have a particular person they are trying to reach.

If you're not sure which tasks can be offloaded to other people or equipment, you may want to check out software applications that monitor your use of time and report back on where it all went. Identifying where you're wasting time is helpful in figuring out how to make it up, as well as which types of activities are those that you don't personally need to complete.

Spending a lot of time coordinating schedules internally? Google calendars can be shared, and reduce the inevitable back-and-forth that eats up time unnecessarily.

Another approach is to outsource as much as possible. We're all familiar with the concept of outsourcing to people, but how about outsourcing to technology? For example, rather than assigning someone internally to facilitate the production of briefs, how about forwarding that task to a local copy shop. Or instead of dictating and then transcribing, check out speech-recognition software to cut out the transcription step.

Too much of anything is bad

While technology can significantly cut the amount of time it takes to complete certain tasks, it is also possible to spend too much time using it.

Take e-mail, for example. Without realizing it, you can spend hours each day reviewing and responding to incoming e-mail messages - hours that could have been invested reviewing client files, strategizing an upcoming case or marketing. So instead of reading messages as they come in, resolve to only look at your e-mail inbox two or three times a day, for a maximum of 30 minutes or so. This will reduce the chance that you'll do nothing but respond to e-mail messages during a typical workday.

Likewise, choose your technology wisely. Knowing that the average phone call takes seven to eight minutes, only use the telephone when you need to have a dialogue with someone. Otherwise, use tools such as e-mail or text messaging to relay quick pieces of information.

Since maximum profitability is only achieved through attention to both your top and bottom line, you may want to use some of your newfound free time to pursue new business. Technology can help there, too.

Just take a look at Google AdWords as one way to introduce potential clients to your firm. Setting up a fan page on Facebook is another way to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues with an interest in staying current on certain topics. A blog can help position you or your practice as the go-to firm for your particular niche. And you'll want to be sure your firm Web site reflects the best you have to offer.

None of these marketing activities costs much - unless you decide you want to spend a lot - and using the latest-and-greatest technology will likely enhance your image in your clients' eyes.

Dana Abramson is president of Achieve Results Training in Pittsford. She can be reached at dana@artraining.com.