There's an art to presenting fees to clients. It's not just a matter of quoting an amount. It's a matter of finding out what result the client wants to see and what value the client attaches to that result. It calls for a lot of fishing tempered by a lot of tact, says Brian Kennel of Performance Management Consulting, a law firm practice management consulting group in New … [Read more...] about The art of setting fees that suit prospective clients
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Can your presentation skills make or break your career?
How well the administrator presents information to the partners is a strong career determiner. What the partners want in a manager is "someone who is of value to them," says Kevin E. O'Connor, CSP, a Long Grove, IL, presentation consultant and professional speaker. Value to them is a matter of "how can you solve our problems? If you can't solve them, you're wasting our time." … [Read more...] about Can your presentation skills make or break your career?
The ethics of refusing business and parting company with a client
Attorney-client relationships can get mighty tenuous. And either side can be at fault. Here are three issues that cause great concern: Turning down a prospect, firing a client, and getting fired by a client. They are explained by Michael Downey, a partner with Armstrong Teasdale in St. Louis whose practice focuses on professional legal, risk management, and ethics issues. … [Read more...] about The ethics of refusing business and parting company with a client
Three errors that can cause wrongful termination problems
Though every employer knows – or should know – the rules for safe firing, mistakes still happen when it comes to showing an employee the door, says Peter Golden, a business and employment law attorney with The Golden Law Firm in Atlanta. In his own practice, he finds that employers most often fall down on three points: missed documentation, unfair employee comparisons, and … [Read more...] about Three errors that can cause wrongful termination problems
Pouter, wannabe boss, and ain’t-none-of-me and how to change them
Unacceptable behavior is never going to respond positively to negative statements such as “you have a bad attitude” or “you’re lazy.” Turn the conversation instead to what the behavior is, how it is affecting the other staff and the office, and how the manager and other staff see the staffer because of it. Then show alternative behaviors. But … [Read more...] about Pouter, wannabe boss, and ain’t-none-of-me and how to change them
Fines, lawsuits and personnel crises, oh my!
By Steve M. Cohen bio Sometimes people don't understand my concern for "mess management." They may see my warnings about personnel issues, potential lawsuits and government regulation as exaggeration. 6 heavy fines Let's take just a single area as an example. In one recent week, the U.S. Department of Labor laid heavy fines on a wide range of companies across the … [Read more...] about Fines, lawsuits and personnel crises, oh my!
How to protect your data against costly and destructive cyber attack
Who is hacking into law firms? Are you at risk? How do security breaches happen? How to protect your data The downside of smartphones Planning for a breach At the law offices of Florrick, Agos & Lockhart, partner Diane Lockhart opens an email from a colleague and clicks on a link. As soon as she does, all the computers in the office go dark and a message pops up on … [Read more...] about How to protect your data against costly and destructive cyber attack
Five proven strategies to achieve your goals
By Dr. Marty Martin bio For many, celebrating the New Year means making resolutions. Many people resolve to lose weight, exercise more, save more, read more, or a host of other goals. As January fades away, so do our actions regarding our commitments or resolutions. But when the winter chill begins to thaw, many individuals will start making the same or … [Read more...] about Five proven strategies to achieve your goals
Have you built a law office staff that cares?
By Catherine Jones bio Thanks to everyone who attended our webinar, “How to Build a Law Office Staff that Cares,” with Steve M. Cohen. The webinar recording is now available on the site, along with the presentation materials. One of the poll questions produced some results that I found particularly interesting. Question: What percentage of your current employees would you … [Read more...] about Have you built a law office staff that cares?
State and federal monitoring can make a manager’s life complicated
By Steve M. Cohen bio Managers can be excused for pulling out their hair over government regulations, but some are more likely to impact your office than others. Every state has a human rights commission that is tasked with investigating charges made by employees against their employers in issues of fairness. The federal government has its own human rights … [Read more...] about State and federal monitoring can make a manager’s life complicated