S1E9 | Andy Cooke | Why efficiency is not enough

In this episode of Brief Encounters, Richard is joined by Andy Cooke, General Counsel at TravelPerk, a hyper-growth SaaS business travel platform and a pioneer in the future of business travel.

Andy offers insights into the evolving role of legal teams within modern businesses, emphasizing the importance of creativity, customer focus, and innovative problem-solving. 

Together, Richard and Andy explore how to build a supportive, tech-driven team that navigates rapid growth while facing the unique challenges of measuring success in legal functions.

Their discussion also touches on the mental health of lawyers and the importance of a human-centered approach in delivering legal services. Andy highlights the need for legal professionals to redefine their value, adapt to technological advancements, and actively embrace the changes presented by AI and automation.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Creativity is essential for driving innovation in legal teams.
• Legal services need a more customer-focused approach.
• Building a supportive team culture fosters innovation and resilience.
• Problem-solving is central to effective legal functions.
• Growth demands thoughtful prioritization, with success measured beyond metrics.
• Legal teams must stay adaptable as AI transforms the field.
• Understanding diverse customer personas enhances legal success.
• Problem-solving demonstrates the value of legal services effectively.
• Curiosity and agency fuel innovation within legal teams.
• Fresh perspectives can drive meaningful change.
• Efficiency isn’t everything; value delivery is paramount.
• Customer understanding is critical for legal service excellence.
• Embracing change keeps legal teams relevant and impactful.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving yields better outcomes.
• The only real constraints are those we set for ourselves.

Andy's links:

Website: https://www.travelperk.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adcooke/