Internal communications: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

The brief

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is one of the magic circle of large legal practices in the world. They introduced a development programme designed to shift the way associate lawyers think about client management, team working and project management.

We were asked to be part of the teaching faculty, contribute to the communications content of the programme and design tools that would help participants think about how they communicate ideas.

The solution

As part of the team that ran a business simulation at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Barcelona, we developed a business simulation inspired by Formula 1 motor racing. Associate lawyers were stimulated into thinking of new ways of assessing business needs, managing projects and managing teams.

Our 'Think' book was a coaching tool used to help participants experiment with internal and external communication solutions to support their ideas. They were tutored in the communication skills needed in how to turn a complex business proposal into a big idea that would convince a fictional automotive board member.

"I would normally take much more of a backseat in these courses and had never given a presentation before. It was good to push myself."
Course participant