As noted in the previous lesson, ALM conducted a study of 38 global general counsel focused on their experience with horizon scanning services from outside counsel. In this lesson, we dig into the areas that the participating general counsel considered critical areas of improvement.

The most common concern expressed in the research was the lack of customization of the information and guidance currently received. Horizon scanning must be developed with an understanding of the client's business, they noted.  It must be tailored to the sector and as much as possible, the specific business.

The respondents viewed their law firms as needing to better understand their clients' businesses in order to better understand the associated risks — whether those risks are operational, supply chain or reputational, for example. They wished their law firm would better understand the impact of specific developments on their operating risks — human and financial resources, time, competitive environment.