QR codes have been around for a while now. I remember back in 2011, when I first opened my law firm, I attended a presentation where the speaker talked about how he used QR codes all over his law practice. Every file had a QR code. Every case had a QR code. It seemed like his office would just be covered in QR codes. Although it sounded intriguing at the time, it also seemed like a lot of work. You would almost need to hire someone full-time in your office to slap QR codes on everything. His selling point was that before he left for Court, he could scan the QR code and have the documents he needed with him. However, since then, with the increase in storage and power on tablets, you can accomplish the same thing by simply bringing along your tablet loaded with case files.
As we continue to find new ways to streamline our businesses, perhaps it is time to re-examine the QR code.
How the UK is Using QR Codes
A couple of weeks ago, the UK edition of Wired magazine had an interesting article “Coronavirus has turned the humble QR code into an everyday essential.” Similar to my experience, the article recounts how many people didn’t think much of a QR code. But now, there’s newfound life for them. For example, it seems much more sanitary to have diners use a QR code to access a menu rather than pass around a menu all day. Diners don’t know who touched that menu before them. Hotels are using them for their customers to “access the food menu, drinks list and details on room bookings.” The UK is even using them to help with contact tracing.
SAP has even adopted them in its office. It helps cut down on the amount of paper that needs to be printed for its employees. Also, it creates more “touch-free” experiences, which is quite an asset these days. And while back in the day you needed an app to read QR codes, most new phones and devices already have the capabilities built-in.
How Can You Use QR Codes?
While I’m not ready to paste a QR code on every file in my office, the article did get me thinking about how you can incorporate them into your business. For the bricks and mortar businesses I represent, the UK provides a roadmap of ways to make for a touch-free experience. But for others, there is likely an opportunity to use the codes to streamline their business in other ways.
I even got a little nostalgic as I looked at the announcement I sent out in 2011 when I first opened a law firm. There, in the lower left, is a QR code that directs you to a site that no longer exists. Perhaps I need to go back and fix that link someday…
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Next Steps
If you are thinking of starting a business or already started your business and want to make sure your legal documents are in order, give me a call and we can set up a free Legal Strategy Session to discuss the process and what documents would be best tailored for your company – (877) AMAYERS.
