Many articles have been written about motivating staff. In fact, Law Office Manager has published many of these, which are usually how-to articles aimed at increasing productivity. These pieces often share tried-and-true ways to engage employees more fully. Sometimes rewards and recognition are the hooks for motivation and greater engagement. These techniques work, and can … [Read more...] about Are you leveraging your staff’s enthusiasm?
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Never-ending training
No manager can set expectations without giving staff the tools to achieve them, says a California administrator. And the main tool is training that never ends. At her office, Patricia Board starts the training on the first day a staffer comes in. She gives the newcomer a check-off list of both job and office basics and spends several hours going over each item. "Those are … [Read more...] about Never-ending training
Haven’t prepared your 2023 budget yet? These 3 steps will help you get it done
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio No one likes to prepare a budget. Looking ahead a year and seeing what it's going to cost to run your law firm can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you know that it's up to you to make sure the firm generates the revenues to cover the budget. And with so many year-end things on your plate, strategizing for next year is probably the last … [Read more...] about Haven’t prepared your 2023 budget yet? These 3 steps will help you get it done
How to deliver bad news to 3 kinds of underperforming employees
The talk of management isn't easy. Here are three especially difficult conversations to be prepared for: the "poor performance" discussion, the "no-raise-for-you" discussion, and the "we're-having-layoffs" discussion. Business consultant, corporate trainer, and psychotherapist Linnda Durre, Phd, of Winter Park, FL, outlines what to say, and what not to say, to get the message … [Read more...] about How to deliver bad news to 3 kinds of underperforming employees
Clients cite their top 6 turnoff points with law firms
Don't jeopardize repeat business by unwittingly antagonizing the clients. Keeping them satisfied is a worthwhile investment. Lose one client and you have to work twice as hard to find someone else. An Illinois firm developed a list of client turn-offs after it conducted a series of client satisfaction surveys. The firm began its research informally with one-on-one discussions … [Read more...] about Clients cite their top 6 turnoff points with law firms
Dear newly hired law firm: Here’s what I really want
By Robert Denney bio What would it be like to be on the receiving end of an engagement letter after accepting a new client? While they may not actually put any of this to you in writing, it is very likely your new client has a few of the expectations set out in this letter. LETTER FROM A CLIENT TO ITS NEW LAW FIRM Today's Date Responsible Partner Our New … [Read more...] about Dear newly hired law firm: Here’s what I really want
Establishing an effective pricing policy in your law firm
As law firms evolve, tracking key metrics and producing top-tier results are absolutely necessary, and new methodologies and thought processes have begun to play key roles in rationalizing, monitoring, controlling and setting strategic pricing. This information can change the profitability structure of your law firm, says Brenda Barnes, certified public accountant (CPA) and … [Read more...] about Establishing an effective pricing policy in your law firm
Pick up on these revealing “non-verbal cues” to avoid hiring problem staffers
Good interviewing requires resume evaluation and a bit of psychology, says Scott Ford, manager of a professional office in Utah. It's not just what candidates say but how they say it. And Ford should know: he's a licensed clinical social worker, and as manager he applies his skills in therapy and counseling to interviewing. Look for other clues Beyond the resume, Ford says … [Read more...] about Pick up on these revealing “non-verbal cues” to avoid hiring problem staffers
Law firm focuses on elder client needs
An elder law practice deals with non-legal issues other firms rarely encounter, says the founder of a seven attorney elder law firm in North Carolina. Often a client is accompanied by an adult child and confidentiality becomes a concern. Often both spouses are clients and one is incapacitated, opening the door to the question of whether the spouse has the mental capacity to … [Read more...] about Law firm focuses on elder client needs
How to do staff training that really works
"Excellence," said Aristotle, "is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." If excellence is a habit you'd like to instill in your staff, then you need to train them properly and make a … [Read more...] about How to do staff training that really works