Do you freeze up when asked to write something for work? Don't worry. Whether you're writing a letter to a client or a blog for the company website, there are a few simple steps you can take to produce clear and coherent copy. A lot of people freeze when they have to write something. They get afraid they won't know what to say or how to say it. But they do know that. They … [Read more...] about On Better Communication
Managing the office
Ensure success in your new job as administrator
As soon as you've accepted the position of law firm administrator, you need to establish expectations – what is expected of you and what you expect of others. Once those parameters are clear, you can implement any necessary changes with authority and confidence. Walking into a new job as administrator? It's hard for a newcomer administrator to know where to begin work, what … [Read more...] about Ensure success in your new job as administrator
To-Dos: Your April office checklist
Here are a few tasks that should be addressed this month. Do a first quarter evaluation with employees who have a billing quota. Assess where they are in terms of reaching the annual goal and discuss any changes that need to be made, adjustments in procedures for capturing time or time management skills. Review the firm's profit and loss statement as it compares to the … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your April office checklist
Redesign the office to keep up with industry and technology changes
Take a look around your workplace. Does it reflect the traditional image of a law firm—a somber place of serious business with an abundant supply of mahogany furniture and thick, intimidating books? Is there a field of empty workstations once filled by staff members now long gone? Is it cluttered? Is it sterile? Is it pleasing to the eye? Is it time for a change? The … [Read more...] about Redesign the office to keep up with industry and technology changes
For personal success, get beyond the words and metacommunicate
Meta means beyond. And though it has varying definitions, in its simplest form, metacommunication means going beyond regular communication to get the full point across. It means making sure everything—spoken or unspoken—gets communicated to, and from, both sides. Most employment situations are rife with unspoken expectations and assumptions, says Barbara Kay, LPC, RCC, a … [Read more...] about For personal success, get beyond the words and metacommunicate
Quarterly “four column” reviews to improve staff performance and reduce manager stress
"I'm getting an ulcer dealing with these people!" That's the lament of many a manager and it comes from a traditional office practice. It is the result of the standard once-a-year evaluation that winds up as a litany of each staffer's faults and proves worthless for improving performance. Beyond its ineffectiveness, the annual appraisal is not fair because the staffer has not … [Read more...] about Quarterly “four column” reviews to improve staff performance and reduce manager stress
4 ways you are apologizing wrong
By Stacey Hanke bio Apologies are something we love to receive and hate to give. And especially as a leader, they are tough. They require a great deal of humility, which challenge your pride and ego. They are an open admission of failure and wrongdoing, but when delivered with sincerity, they hold power with your team. Unfortunately, too many leaders give superficial … [Read more...] about 4 ways you are apologizing wrong
Specific acknowledgement and specific recognition create a happy, productive staff
What's the one element that makes people pleased to come to work every day? Appreciation from the boss. Appreciation is so important that the Department of Labor cites lack of it as the #1 reason people leave their jobs, says attorney and business coach Nora Riva Bergman of Real Life Practice in Tarpon Springs, Fl. And appreciation goes a long way, because it gets staff … [Read more...] about Specific acknowledgement and specific recognition create a happy, productive staff
Easy ways to make your law office healthier
Too often, law offices not only fail to promote staff health and well-being, they might actually detract from it. Why does it matter? A healthy workplace encourages staff engagement and productivity, which has a direct impact on the profitability of the practice. To evaluate your workplace, and make necessary improvements, take a close look at the following. Office … [Read more...] about Easy ways to make your law office healthier
Do compensation plans drive succession planning results?
By Brenda A. Barnes bio Compensation—or lack thereof—drives many, if not most, succession plans. The most obvious reason for a succession plan is to compensate principals fairly for the firm they've built with their entrepreneurial spirit, including the physical assets and intellectual property they own, and for the money they've invested in their businesses. How to … [Read more...] about Do compensation plans drive succession planning results?