By Lynne Curry When you discover your colleague led a pivotal meeting you didn’t attend—one to which he invited several key managers but not you—you confront him. He looks affronted, and says, “But didn’t you get the invitation? I sent it to you a week ago. Maybe you deleted it by accident?” His certainty shakes you, and you search your inbox, your deleted files, and … [Read more...] about How to save yourself and your career from gaslighting
Working with lawyers
Can every attorney in your office answer these 10 critical questions for 2024?
Want to see more profit in 2024? Get each attorney to draw up a practice plan for the year. A plan forces the attorneys to organize their work agenda by focusing on practice development, production, and self-improvement. What’s more, it ensures that everybody does work that furthers the firm’s goals, it keeps the marketing focused, and it keeps the collections in line. Use … [Read more...] about Can every attorney in your office answer these 10 critical questions for 2024?
5 ways to make a great first impression
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So it's important to consider what judgment calls your clients are making about your firm's efficiency and professionalism based on their first impression. Balancing a client's perception of your firm's success, and therefore its competency, can be a double-edged … [Read more...] about 5 ways to make a great first impression
The art of proofreading in a law office: Ensuring precision and professionalism
In the world of law, precision and attention to detail are paramount. Legal documents and communications must be meticulously crafted to protect the rights and interests of clients and uphold the integrity of the legal profession. Proofreading is an essential skill for law office staff, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining accuracy, credibility, and professionalism. In … [Read more...] about The art of proofreading in a law office: Ensuring precision and professionalism
You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
By Lynne Curry Question: I’m a partner in a professional services firm. We barely survived the pandemic and only because we furloughed all nonessential employees. Those of us who were partners worked unpaid part of the time. We kept ourselves going by promising ourselves that “things would get back to normal.” Our company recovered slowly. We rehired many of the employees we … [Read more...] about You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
Start planning now for a smooth holiday season
As autumn colors the landscape, the winter holiday season seems far away. But it's not too soon to plan for the smooth operation of your practice during the festive time. Here are some tasks you should get to soon: Planning and communicating holiday schedules Establishing Clear Holiday Schedules: The first step in effective holiday scheduling is crafting a clear and … [Read more...] about Start planning now for a smooth holiday season
Make a good impression with your email closing
How you end a business email can leave a lasting impression on the recipient. The right closing can make your email feel more professional and polished, while a poor closing can detract from the message you’re trying to convey. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and best practices for concluding your business emails in a way that leaves a positive impression on your … [Read more...] about Make a good impression with your email closing
And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech
Do you have an elevator speech ready? An elevator speech, also known as an elevator pitch, is a concise and well-prepared verbal summary or introduction that you can deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator, typically around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The goal of an elevator speech is to effectively communicate who you are, what you do, and what you or your … [Read more...] about And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech
Practice the art of active listening
Whether you dealing with a client on the phone, a staffer with a problem or a managing partner with instructions for you, you need to practice active listening. The skill of active listening has the power to transform relationships, enhance team collaboration, and drive organizational success. As a manager, honing your active listening skills can lead to a more engaged and … [Read more...] about Practice the art of active listening
Howdy and welcome to the team: 7 best practices for staff onboarding
Effective onboarding not only establishes a strong foundation for long-term success but also cultivates a positive and productive work environment. Consider these best practices for onboarding new hires, enabling you to create a smooth transition for them and set the stage for their future achievements. Prepare a welcoming environment: First impressions matter. Make sure … [Read more...] about Howdy and welcome to the team: 7 best practices for staff onboarding