What do your employees want this summer? In a recent survey from staffing firm Accountemps, employees said the best summer perks their companies could provide to them are flexible schedules (52 percent) and early departure on Fridays (27 percent). But which perks are employers actually offering? Fifty-four percent of senior managers said flexible schedules, and only about one … [Read more...] about Why you might want to give your employees the summer benefits they want
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Advantages of teamwork
9 ways your firm can avoid the downward spiral of debt
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio When it comes to debt, I believe that less is more. And it makes me shake my head when I hear about firms going into debt to finance their service business. Borrowing money to finance a law practice is opening the door to unending debt that will self-perpetuate as the borrowing and re-paying continues endlessly. There are always cash flow problems, … [Read more...] about 9 ways your firm can avoid the downward spiral of debt
Is your office prepared to accommodate an aging population?
Talk of an aging population isn't idle chatter. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2030 will mark a significant turning point in the nation's history. By then, all baby boomers will be older than 65. This means that one in every five residents will be retirement age. An aging population presents challenges from the standpoint of serving clients. Is your practice prepared? … [Read more...] about Is your office prepared to accommodate an aging population?
Lessons from the new-model law firm: how to cut costs, increase revenue and improve profits
Traditional law firms face considerable competition today, particularly from new-model law firms that operate and structure themselves in very different ways, according to Ron Friedmann, an expert in law practice management and partner at Fireman & Company in the Washington, DC area. Many clients are moving work in-house to save money, says Friedmann, who notes that the … [Read more...] about Lessons from the new-model law firm: how to cut costs, increase revenue and improve profits
How to detect a lie, especially when it comes from a job applicant
Lots of lying goes on in job interviews. Some management professionals estimate that as many as 70% of job applications carry some sort of misrepresentation. And business losses to fraud from dishonest applicants have been shown to be as high as $600 billion a year. Besides verifying the resume, the best way to separate fact from fiction is to know the signs of a lie, says … [Read more...] about How to detect a lie, especially when it comes from a job applicant
Compliance perspective: How to keep an employee from damaging your practice on social media
In the cyber age, protecting your practice from the potential threat posed by employee blogging, tweeting, Instagramming, and other social networking is a business imperative. But how? To find out, keep reading. . . It is your business The starting point is recognizing that social networking by employees is not purely a private matter. Over the past decades, courts and … [Read more...] about Compliance perspective: How to keep an employee from damaging your practice on social media
Why you need to stop talking to start leading
By Rebecca Teasdale bio Recently, a colleague and I were at a dinner function with a group of leaders from a client company. We found ourselves seated at a table with a new member of the executive team who we were meeting for the first time. Waiting for the plated meals to arrive, we eased into the conversation with small talk about sports and weather and then we went deeper … [Read more...] about Why you need to stop talking to start leading
What’s overshadowing your partnerʼs big revenues?
Any firm can lose money to the very partners who are bringing in the most of it. That's because firms measure partner profitability by revenues only, and that doesn't show the full financial picture, says practice management consultant Andra Watkins of Positus Consulting in Charleston, SC. There's also a subjective side to evaluating each partner's contribution. And that … [Read more...] about What’s overshadowing your partnerʼs big revenues?
Why employers often get worker wellbeing wrong and how to get it right
A report from the Campbell Institute indicates not all employers are getting worker wellbeing right, and it could be affecting the sustainability of their business. While many organizations today are focused on wellbeing programs that tackle smoking cessation, weight loss or nutrition—not bad programs in and of themselves—the Campbell Institute report indicates a more … [Read more...] about Why employers often get worker wellbeing wrong and how to get it right