By Audrey Epstein bio Because I facilitate team sessions for a living, I've seen lots of team interactions—all kinds of drama, some shouting and tears, but also lots of laughter, joy, and bold action. Much about teamwork has been researched, dissected, and discussed. Yet lately, I've been thinking a lot about an unexplored topic: how to get team members to … [Read more...] about How I use disagreements to build stronger teams
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The engagement letter: safety comes from clarity
Six things that client needs to know An engagement letter is protection – for both firm and client. It prevents argument on what the firm is expected to do for the client and what the client is expected to do for the firm. Thus, it needs to be clear, brief, and readable. Don't give the client "a scholarly work or something that reads like an insurance policy," says … [Read more...] about The engagement letter: safety comes from clarity
24 ideas for going green at work
To help celebrate Earth Day on April 22, here are two dozen ideas for going green at work from FlexJobs, a telecommuting and flexible job site that has long promoted going green in its business practices. Take a look at these tips and then consider going green whenever possible, every day. It's easier than you might think to make every day Earth Day. Reduce or eliminate … [Read more...] about 24 ideas for going green at work
Don’t turn your employee awards into an office morale disaster
Done right, an employee-of-the-year award can be an effective productivity and teamwork promoter. Done poorly, it can be a morale disaster. The cautions are many. Don't make the award a surprise and don't award it without setting specific criteria for winning. Here are helpful instructions for making an employee award program a success. Whatever the office wants … [Read more...] about Don’t turn your employee awards into an office morale disaster
The Tax Man Emaileth
By Doug Striker bio You know that old saying, "The only guarantees in life are death and taxes?" To that pithy, depressing phrase, I'd like to add "death, taxes, and phishing." Yes, I believe that phishing is and will be forever a part of our human experience because criminals know we are suckers. And no matter how many people I can train and turn into savvy, … [Read more...] about The Tax Man Emaileth
Telecommuters not working out? It’s not the flexibility that’s the problem; it’s your training program
Are you seeing a surge in low morale and unproductivity among your remote workers? Research suggests that it may be your lack of strategy and training that's to blame, not the flexibility. According to new national research from the Flex+Strategy Group (FSG), major corporations such as IBM may have gotten it wrong when they cited remote work as a barrier to innovation and … [Read more...] about Telecommuters not working out? It’s not the flexibility that’s the problem; it’s your training program
5 partnership points that cause more than the usual headaches
It's the partnership wonder. Many, many firms, from the smallest to the most sophisticated and well known, don't have partnerships agreements. Without an agreement, every facet of the practice is a potential battleground, says Arthur J. Ciampi of Ciampi LLC, a Manhattan company that represents law firms in partnership disputes. Ciampi is also coauthor of a book entitled Law … [Read more...] about 5 partnership points that cause more than the usual headaches
Creating culture change: a case study of how one firm made technology training a priority
By Doug Striker bio Recently, I was speaking with a colleague who provides contract technology training services to law firms, much like we do at Savvy. She told me about a year-long experience that she recently had with a firm and it was so universally applicable that we agreed to share it as a case study. Here are the facts in a nutshell: The challenge: … [Read more...] about Creating culture change: a case study of how one firm made technology training a priority
How to increase—and demonstrate—your value to the firm
Don't become an economic casualty. When revenues drop, firms put their administrators under close scrutiny. They want a good payoff for the salary investment. Sometimes the partners question whether the administrator is doing enough. And sometimes they question whether they need an administrator at all, says executive coach Lissa Weimelt, a principal with the executive search … [Read more...] about How to increase—and demonstrate—your value to the firm
2 proven ways to build staff morale fast
What builds staff morale? Letting staff participate in the office's operations, getting their ideas, and using their suggestions are good for morale. And there are two ways to achieve these ends: One is to survey staff on their attitudes and opinions; the other is to set up a suggestion program. These simple actions work because people want to be listened to. Your staff want … [Read more...] about 2 proven ways to build staff morale fast