Retaining office staff is crucial for maintaining a stable and productive work environment. High turnover can be costly and disrupt the workflow. Here are some tips to help you retain your office staff: Hiring the Right People: Start by hiring individuals who are a good fit for your organization's culture and values. Ensure that their skills and qualifications align with … [Read more...] about How to retain your office staff
Managing staff
When a full-time employee works a second full-time job
By Lynne Curry Question: I supervise a talented but difficult employee, whose performance has always been spotty but recently went downhill. Lately, “Scott” has dragged himself into the office every morning. He looks exhausted. His eyelids half-close during staff meetings. Because I felt concerned, I asked him if he was okay. He said he was just working too hard. He … [Read more...] about When a full-time employee works a second full-time job
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
The art of delegating to increase firm revenues
By Elizabeth Miller Law firms are unique in that unlike most other businesses which sell a product, lawyers sell time. Their time is, for a better description, “their stock in trade”. Based on this concept, to be profitable and generate sufficient revenues to carry the firm, lawyers should be spending their valuable time doing client billable work. The exception to this are … [Read more...] about The art of delegating to increase firm revenues
The summer is over and it’s time to get back to law firm business
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Summer is quickly coming to an end. While it is still hot in many places, the return after Labor Day for all intents and purposes signals the end of the summer—and summer vacations. Hopefully your firm has made good use of the "summer downtime" that exists when court dockets slow down as judges, court personnel, and the rest of the profession … [Read more...] about The summer is over and it’s time to get back to law firm business
Team building that goes beyond rah-rah to real
By Lynne Curry Question: We have lousy morale at our office. Our senior leaders like to say the problem started during the pandemic, but that’s just a lie they tell themselves. The problem started long before that, when they got so focused on the money they were making and the bonuses they were getting, they forgot employees mattered. Their bubble burst when the … [Read more...] about Team building that goes beyond rah-rah to real
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
6 reasons to set up an on-site daycare at your law office…and how to do it
In the dynamic and demanding realm of law offices, where legal professionals are dedicated to upholding justice and providing exceptional client service, ensuring the well-being of employees is crucial. An innovative solution that law office managers can consider is the establishment of an on-site daycare facility. This initiative can yield numerous advantages, including … [Read more...] about 6 reasons to set up an on-site daycare at your law office…and how to do it