Freehills launch crazy "Empty Chair" management initiative
03 September 2010
Freehills has taken mad management group-think to a whole new level with the launch of a client care strategy which involves placing a single red chair in each of the firm's meeting rooms.

Hatched at the recent National Partners Conference, the new plan has been dubbed the "Empty Chair" initiative - a moniker no doubt inspired by the number of partners lost to golf or other worthy causes during the afternoon session.

So what's the explanation for the red chair? To brighten the place up or for feng shui purposes? No. According to a leaked internal email from Managing Partner Mark Rigotti the red chair "serves as a constant reminder that the client should always be top of mind" and it "symbolises our clients' voice when discussions are held". That's quite a hefty remit for a chair.

A red chair at Freehills yesterday, struggling under the burden of its new responsibilities

For any members of staff who may not be entirely clear about the purpose of the "empty chair", Rigotti's email also provides a handy FAQ section. The first - and most obvious - question being "why red?" Well apparently "Red is a vibrant colour which stands out. It will help us keep clients top of mind." Well, no doubt that sophisticated lawyers at the highest paying Aus law firm will be grateful the colourful chairs are there to remind them to think about their clients.

The FAQs also include the following sage advice:

Q: "Can we sit in the chair?"
A: "Absolutely! The chair is there to be used and will be around the tables with all of our other meeting room chairs."

So not really an "empty chair" then. The firm has also produced an explanatory video clip featuring partners discussing the chair. RollOnFriday can only imagine it makes for sensational viewing, but sadly the video has so far only been made available to staff.