By Steve M. Cohen bio Many employees at all levels are guilty of taking their positions for granted. As a manager, it's something you should be on the look out for, even in your own work. Even in a healthy job market, the attitude can be costly. I was once involved in a case with an employee who had an $80,000 a year position. The individual had been employed for … [Read more...] about The importance of making your expectations clear
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How to prevent violence . . . and deal with it when it happens
On the topic of violence in the office, "people are in denial," says one security management consultant. "They can't believe it's going to happen." But it does happen, and it comes from a lot of sources – unhappy clients, unhappy employees, employees' unhappy spouses, and even from outsiders wandering in. In one office in North Carolina, for example, a client's husband was … [Read more...] about How to prevent violence . . . and deal with it when it happens
How to test the climate of the firm and staff’s satisfaction with it
What makes a staff a satisfied staff? One human resources expert cites three core items: management’s communication with staff, management’s commitment to supporting staff, and staff’s trust in management. To find out the level of each as well as where and how to make improvements, use a climate survey, or an opinion survey on the climate of the office. … [Read more...] about How to test the climate of the firm and staff’s satisfaction with it
Get your firm ready for any kind of disaster at free National Preparedness Month webinar series
Are the members of your firm prepared to communicate quickly and effectively with each other when a crisis hits? Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all U.S. businesses will lose power at one point in the next 12 months? Do you have a plan in place to keep your operations running? How will you rebuild your business if your employees are unable to report to work after a major … [Read more...] about Get your firm ready for any kind of disaster at free National Preparedness Month webinar series
Going crazy with Excel: What’s your story?
Sure, you know that Excel is useful for crunching numbers. You can populate spreadsheets with formulas and scenarios, and transform figures into charts. But did you know that Excel is also a tool for pilots, parents, pianists, and poets? You might be surprised at how some people have used the software. Here are just a few unusual uses that we found: One company uses Excel as a … [Read more...] about Going crazy with Excel: What’s your story?
Conducting background checks: Better safe than sorry
By Steve M. Cohen bio Despite some debate and even legal questions on method, I consistently recommend that my clients conduct background checks on all employees they intend to hire. Some of my clients are required by state or federal statutes to conduct background checks. This is especially widespread when employees will provide services to frail or vulnerable … [Read more...] about Conducting background checks: Better safe than sorry
Firm benefits from employee benefits
A firm's attention to employee satisfaction has earned it the ranking of best place to work in the state—for five years in a row. The recognition program is sponsored by the state Chamber of Commerce, and the firm has been at first place since it began. According to the human resources manager, there are four items that stand out in what the firm provides for both staff and … [Read more...] about Firm benefits from employee benefits
12 big blunders caught on resumes by hiring managers
According to a survey from CareerBuilder, the majority of employers (70 percent) spend less than five minutes reviewing a resume, and half (48 percent) spend less than two, which means that creating an attention-getting resume can be a tall order for job seekers. And this desire to stand out might be why some job seekers are including some unnecessary, inappropriate or … [Read more...] about 12 big blunders caught on resumes by hiring managers
For long-term survival, watch for the downfalls that cause partner splits
A partner split is like a marital split – expensive and hard to get over. Also like a marital split, it can often be avoided by knowing the elements that cause it and taking steps not to go down those roads, says Robert Denney, a Wayne, PA, management and planning consultant for professional offices. Why do partners split? For a number of reasons, he says. But money is … [Read more...] about For long-term survival, watch for the downfalls that cause partner splits
Do you fear change?
Editor's picks: Creating culture change: a case study of how one firm made technology training a priority Donʼt get into a merger without smoothing out these rough spots How to make 2015 the year you improve value, cut costs, and increase profits … [Read more...] about Do you fear change?