How Busy Are We?
11/11/2008
Todd Olivas
Todd Olivas is a court reporter and entrepreneur.
He founded TO&A in 2003.
One example: No long ago we had 20 depos on calendar..one went forward. It does seem in general that things are moving around alot. Our percentages mirror yours.
Thanks for writing, Annette. I appreciate your input. I`m not worried about cancellations even on those 20/1 days like you mention. Typically they all come back on calendar and we get swamped. What`s that saying, `When it rains it pours.`
<P>Hi, Todd:)</P><P>I can`t put a firm number on cancellations after booking because I don`t track things like that in my very small business. But as a small operator, when I have 10 depositions on the books and only three loyal independent contractors to cover them, it`s actually a relief when our heavy days redistribute, because the hope is, they will reschedule to days when we don`t have to give the work away to other agencies.</P><P>I will comment that numbers across the board are down (overall firm billings, number of bookings, and my personal income as a result), but the numbers are not as dire as I originally forecasted at the middle of last year. On a brighter note, the first quarter of 2009 has made me extremely optimistic in that several past due accounts receivables were paid, which explains why income was down last year as well.</P><P>I`m certainly not enjoying the gravy train that 2007 was, but so far, I`m weathering the financial storm without bankruptcy on the horizon:) </P><P>Best Wishes and GOOD LUCK!</P>
<P>Lisa, I`m so glad that your numbers have turned out brighter in Q1 2009 than originally forecast. Mine have too. Keep up the good work (and good postings on DepoMan). </P><P>Here`s to the Gravy Train comin` on back!</P>
Todd,<BR><BR>Thanks for posting this. You spurred me on to do an analysis of our numbers. My analysis also confirmed that the attorneys were all at the beach this summer! Here`s hoping they are back from vacation now and will get back to business!
Thanks for writing, Annette. I appreciate your input. I`m not worried about cancellations even on those 20/1 days like you mention. Typically they all come back on calendar and we get swamped. What`s that saying, `When it rains it pours.`
<P>Hi, Todd:)</P><P>I can`t put a firm number on cancellations after booking because I don`t track things like that in my very small business. But as a small operator, when I have 10 depositions on the books and only three loyal independent contractors to cover them, it`s actually a relief when our heavy days redistribute, because the hope is, they will reschedule to days when we don`t have to give the work away to other agencies.</P><P>I will comment that numbers across the board are down (overall firm billings, number of bookings, and my personal income as a result), but the numbers are not as dire as I originally forecasted at the middle of last year. On a brighter note, the first quarter of 2009 has made me extremely optimistic in that several past due accounts receivables were paid, which explains why income was down last year as well.</P><P>I`m certainly not enjoying the gravy train that 2007 was, but so far, I`m weathering the financial storm without bankruptcy on the horizon:) </P><P>Best Wishes and GOOD LUCK!</P>
<P>Lisa, I`m so glad that your numbers have turned out brighter in Q1 2009 than originally forecast. Mine have too. Keep up the good work (and good postings on DepoMan). </P><P>Here`s to the Gravy Train comin` on back!</P>
Todd,<BR><BR>Thanks for posting this. You spurred me on to do an analysis of our numbers. My analysis also confirmed that the attorneys were all at the beach this summer! Here`s hoping they are back from vacation now and will get back to business!