It makes good business sense—and is respectful professional etiquette—to stay in touch with your former bosses, says Allison & Taylor, a national professional reference-checking firm. As your career advances, your efforts to stay connected with past employers could pay dividends many times over when they provide you with favorable professional references. Conversely, … [Read more...] about What are your past employers saying about you?
Your career
The surprising answer to what your staff really wants
Flexible work arrangements are often at or near the top of survey lists. And yes, money matters. But, perhaps surprising, career development also gets top rankings. Employees want to acquire knowledge and learn new skills in order to do their jobs and advance their careers. What's more, development opportunities play an important role in keeping staff members – and … [Read more...] about The surprising answer to what your staff really wants
What you can do to help resolve partner conflict
It's no secret that fighting among partners is a major cause of firm breakups. Not so well known, however, is how to resolve the conflict. When two individual partners or even two groups of partners are at odds with one another, the firm needs a middle person. That person can be the managing partner or a professional mediator. The middle person can broach the issue and bring … [Read more...] about What you can do to help resolve partner conflict
Feeling stuck and disorganized? Here’s how to turn things around
By Bianca Moreiras bio After working 30 years in the legal arena with highly skilled, highly skeptical attorneys I have learned that keeping myself in a positive "can do" frame of mind helps keep my sanity. Executing the feeling is another story. Each day brings new challenges or "change"—something that is inevitable, but also something attorneys will try to avoid at all … [Read more...] about Feeling stuck and disorganized? Here’s how to turn things around
How to stage your office for improved productivity
Is clutter slowing down productivity in your office? Clutter is a major distraction and eats up time, says Pat Heydlauff of Energy Design, a productive-focused environment company. "Nobody can concentrate or work efficiently amidst disorganization," she says, pointing out that getting rid of office clutter can significantly improve the atmosphere and speed up the work flow. … [Read more...] about How to stage your office for improved productivity
Get ready to improve and get ready to move
There is no job security There is no such thing as job security, even in a robust economy. No employer has an obligation to keep any employee. People get fired—and legally so—for no other reason than that their bosses don't like them. Couple that with the struggling economy, and the word is be prepared. Work toward keeping the current job, and at the same time, keep a Plan B … [Read more...] about Get ready to improve and get ready to move
4 steps to planning for a successful 2019
Don't go into 2019 without setting goals for the year. "Goals force the firm to stretch out and do more than just plod along in a disorganized fashion," says Wayne, PA, law firm consultant Robert Denney. "They improve efficiency and performance, and they help the attorneys achieve the highest bottom-line results possible." To set goals, Denney recommends a simple but direct … [Read more...] about 4 steps to planning for a successful 2019
Surviving 7 types of nightmare personalities
They may do good work but their obnoxious personalities spawn resentment and negativity. Don't hesitate to strike hard at negative staffers, says Blaine M. Loomer, a management consultant and author of the book, "Corporate Bullsh*t: A Survival Guide." Let them carry on and the office can get more unpleasant every day—for both management and staff. Loomer lists the seven … [Read more...] about Surviving 7 types of nightmare personalities
Is it time for a resume refresh?
When was the last time you reviewed your resume? Even if you’re not looking for a new job right now, it’s always a good idea to have an updated resume handy, because as Benjamin Franklin noted, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” And as another saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression—which especially … [Read more...] about Is it time for a resume refresh?
Forget multitasking! Here are 4 ways to improve your focus and get more done
It's a typical day at work. You're on the computer, entering data, while you're talking on the phone. A staff member comes to your office door, stack of papers in hand, and you motion for her to come in and put the papers on your desk. You continue your phone conversation, momentarily removing your hands from the keyboard in order look through the papers. You're a multitasking … [Read more...] about Forget multitasking! Here are 4 ways to improve your focus and get more done