Overwhelming response
Julien Cayet, Director Technology & Innovation and member of the Innovation Challenge ’21 jury panel, states: “With no less than 42 submissions from 188 participants firmwide, with a great diversity in Practice Groups, Business Service Departments and home markets, the response has been overwhelming. It is truly heartening to see how much energy and enthusiasm our colleagues are willing to put into building the next generation law and tax firm.” The teams that didn’t make it to the next phase of the challenge, received individual feedback on their submissions from the jury. They were encouraged to resubmit their valuable ideas for next year’s challenge or to take these ideas to the next level beyond the challenge.
Finalist teams
The quality of submissions was extremely high, which made the selection a challenging task for the jury. In selecting the finalist teams, the jury focused on team diversity, the potential impact of the ideas on client services and/or operational efficiency and the one-firm-spirit. These criteria align perfectly with the firm’s aim to provide smart and efficient services, now and in the future. Since launching the Technology & Innovation Accelerator program and integrating smart technology into daily operations over the last decade, Loyens & Loeff encourages its people to take the next step towards becoming an innovative and increasingly solution-driven partner for their clients.
Mini-exploration and Grand Finale
Up until the Grand Finale on 2 July, the six finalist teams enter the Mini-exploration, in which they further develop their ideas in a series of sessions hosted by external innovation experts. The Mini-exploration ends with a pitch training, in which the teams are coached to deliver a stellar pitch to convince the jury of their innovative idea during the Grand Finale.
The Grand Finale takes place on 2 July. Broadcast live from a studio, all Loyens & Loeff colleagues across all offices can tune in and can also vote for their favourite finalist team. The team with the most public votes will win a public award. And of course, at the end of the Grand Finale, the jury will determine which team will win the very first Loyens & Loeff Innovation Award. The lucky winners will receive funding and support to implement their winning concept before the end of 2021.
