As an office manager, you are responsible for the efficient operation of your workplace. Your role requires you to balance multiple tasks, manage diverse teams, and keep things organized. To become a highly effective office manager, you can take inspiration from Stephen Covey’s timeless book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Here are some tips based on Covey’s … [Read more...] about Cultivate these 7 habits for success
Client relations
Do you just open your mouth and let the words fly?
By Lynne Curry When you’re upset with another person, do you open your mouth and let your emotions erupt and words fly? If you want to resolve an interpersonal conflict, you can’t afford to blast the other person. While you may feel vindicated, you risk the other person attacking back, getting defensive or shutting down If you want things to become better and not worse … [Read more...] about Do you just open your mouth and let the words fly?
12 MORE marketing secrets of superstar lawyers
By Trey Ryder #13: They provide client service beyond compare. They return phone calls quickly. They work day and night to finish projects. They have backup plans for their backup plans. They err on the side of caution. They hire a bright, responsive support staff. And they always go the extra mile. Whatever it takes, they get the job done. And the superstar’s staff is equally … [Read more...] about 12 MORE marketing secrets of superstar lawyers
Technical issues and too many participants are biggest virtual meeting pet peeves
Have you had about enough of video meetings? If so, you're not alone. A new study by global staffing firm Robert Half shows video calls may be wearing on workers. Almost three-quarters of professionals surveyed (72 per cent) said they participate in virtual meetings. Those respondents reported spending about a quarter of their workday (24 per cent) on camera with business … [Read more...] about Technical issues and too many participants are biggest virtual meeting pet peeves
Model visitors’ waiver of COVID-19 infection liability form
As long as COVID-19 remains a threat, you run the risk of being sued by clients, vendors, guests and other visitors (“visitors”) who claim they contracted the virus at your office as a result of your inadequate safety measures. One way to limit liability is having visitors sign a form agreeing to waive their rights to sue you for COVID-19 infections before entering the office. … [Read more...] about Model visitors’ waiver of COVID-19 infection liability form
4 bad financial habits that may increase your policy premiums and your malpractice risk
Ineffective billing and collections practices affect more than the bottom line. They ultimately may determine what the firm has to pay for malpractice coverage. To an underwriter, poor financial habits are just like poor legal habits—they spell high risk for malpractice claims, says Dan Knise, president and CEO of Ames & Gough, a McClean, VA, specialty insurance broker. If … [Read more...] about 4 bad financial habits that may increase your policy premiums and your malpractice risk
7 ways to make your firm stand out among your competition
The competition for clients is fierce and law firms are marketing heavily, says marketing expert Shawn McNalis. That means a firm has to make itself stand out among a deluge of marketing messages and try for "top-of-mind awareness." Surprisingly, that can be done without much expense and even without a marketing department. The key, she says, is to focus on the personal side … [Read more...] about 7 ways to make your firm stand out among your competition
How and why you need to carefully screen cold calls from potential new clients
What's your firm's process for dealing with a potential new client? What happens when someone sends the firm an email asking for a quote for a real estate transaction or when a frantic caller leaves a long, detailed voice mail message about why she wasn't to blame for the fatal car crash being covered on the morning news? Who takes the call? How are calls prioritized? And is … [Read more...] about How and why you need to carefully screen cold calls from potential new clients
Louisiana firm sets up four sure-pay systems
A Louisiana firm has added a handful of measures to its billing and collections work that, while simple, have generated significant benefit. There's a procedure to ensure the client contact information stays accurate, a soft-touch collections process, electronic client billing and paying, and a billing schedule that ensures a steady cash flow throughout the month. As a … [Read more...] about Louisiana firm sets up four sure-pay systems
Partner retirement: how to keep the clients and assign the business
When a partner retires, the top business concern is if and how the firm can keep the clients. And there's more than one reason to be concerned, says August J. Aquila, of Aquila Global Advisors, a Minnetonka, MN, consulting firm specializing in succession planning, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic planning for professional firms. Obviously, the firm wants to keep the … [Read more...] about Partner retirement: how to keep the clients and assign the business