By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio If you're dealing with a bully in the workplace, you're not alone. According to an Associated Press alert, 29 percent of all U. S. managers and employees deal with workplace bullies, and according to a white paper produced by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), one out of six individuals report being bullied at work at some point … [Read more...] about A tale of 2 workplace bullies and why they need to be stopped
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How to hire the right employee for your firm
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio According to a Gallup poll, thirty percent or less than one-third of American workers describe themselves as "engaged" in their jobs and committed to their employers. A larger number, 54% percent, describe themselves as "disengaged" at work and not committed to their employers. These employees report feeling trapped in dull jobs and admit that … [Read more...] about How to hire the right employee for your firm
Lighten up the office for increased productivity
By Steve M. Cohen bio Let's face it, work is not always fun. As they say, "that's why they call it work." But there is a point where a manager may need to draw a line. Although the problem can take many forms, the issues can often be grouped under the heading of "negativity." An "office complainer" is one example you may know. There are also constant critics, … [Read more...] about Lighten up the office for increased productivity
Want to improve morale? Listen up
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen It's a cheap, but effective cure, for many ailments I've found that most organizations can benefit significantly from a simple, low-cost change in their operations: More two-way communications. For busy law office managers, time can be among their most valuable commodities so I don't make this recommendation lightly. But even a few minutes each day to … [Read more...] about Want to improve morale? Listen up
6 ways to save time at the office so you can focus on what’s important
By Catherine Jones bio We're all strapped for time and usually the first activities sacrificed are those which are personally important to us. For example, according to DOMO, 42% of college graduates have never read another book after college 67% of parents say they don't have enough time to spend with their children 60% of employees feel they … [Read more...] about 6 ways to save time at the office so you can focus on what’s important
Improve your office operations with a few easy changes
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure you've seen one of Hollywood's "political" movies. You know the kind: drama unfolds between a candidate and (fill in the blank), while his or her selfless team of volunteers labor furiously in the background, assuring that the candidate still wins, despite spending all of his or her time dealing with the drama. Hollywood fantasy, … [Read more...] about Improve your office operations with a few easy changes
The joy of the crappy first draft
By Daphne Gray-Grant bio Every beginning writer I know abhors the idea of a crappy first draft. It's embarrassing, mortifying and humiliating. They know their boss or client is going to hate it. They're going to hate it themselves because they fear it will make them look inept and unskilled. Thus, they don't want to it exist on their hard-drive, even for a … [Read more...] about The joy of the crappy first draft
A little stress can be good, but a lot can be disastrous
By Steve M. Cohen bio There's a big issue that I think is overlooked too often in many offices: job related stress and anxiety. Some stress is good. A certain tension, including awareness of deadlines and the feeling of meeting challenges, is a good thing in any workplace. But too much stress, or stress for too long a time, will overload people. Some handle it … [Read more...] about A little stress can be good, but a lot can be disastrous
Good managers must always watch for bad behavior
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure that many office managers sometimes feel like a Kindergarten teacher. Even with the best team, there's always one or two people who rub each other the wrong way or seem to have more than their share of complaints—either complaints about what they do or say, or what others do or say to them. Ultimately, no one can promise you much more than … [Read more...] about Good managers must always watch for bad behavior
Look for opportunities to improve your staff quality
By Steve M. Cohen bio Here's something you'll consider too obvious to mention: To improve your overall office performance, work to replace marginal employees with better ones. That is obvious and I know most managers are ready to do that whenever possible. But what I'm promoting here is a long-term, sustained policy that ultimately may target weak employees for … [Read more...] about Look for opportunities to improve your staff quality