By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio As a manager, how can I supervise employees at remote locations—particularly when I never see them? If I work remotely, how do I make sure I stay on my supervisor's radar for promotional opportunities? Which employees thrive in virtual team situations? If you manage a virtual team If you manage employees you never meet … [Read more...] about Supervising and Surviving Virtual Teams
Blog
Who’s your favorite administrative professional on TV?
By Catherine Jones bio We've all worked with some real characters, but which TV character portraying an administrative professional would most people want at their company? More than a quarter (29 percent) of workers surveyed by staffing firm OfficeTeam said they'd choose Pam Halpert from "The Office," followed by Waylon Smithers from "The Simpsons" (17 percent). … [Read more...] about Who’s your favorite administrative professional on TV?
5 quick and easy ways to show recognition for employees’ good performance
By Catherine Jones bio Happy Administrative Professionals Week (April 24-30). It's that time of year when many members of the office support team will receive special acknowledgment for their contributions. But opinions are divided between employers and their staff on what constitutes effective employee recognition, says an OfficeTeam survey. Nearly nine in 10 (89 percent) … [Read more...] about 5 quick and easy ways to show recognition for employees’ good performance
Managing the Gen X/Y employee
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio If you heard a male employee say "Yo, dude!" to a female employee you'd think the comment (check your choice): Inappropriate; Insulting; Affectionate. Please complete the following sentences: Patience is a ______. Good things come to _____ ___ ____. If you checked "inappropriate" or "insulting" or … [Read more...] about Managing the Gen X/Y employee
How to execute the single most difficult and valuable marketing tactic at your law firm
By Bob Weiss bio We are often asked what is the single most difficult marketing problem facing local and regional law firms. Our answer: database development and management. What we mean by this is simple—most law firms do not have a reliable and updated system of managing client and other contact information. Software companies call it "client relationship … [Read more...] about How to execute the single most difficult and valuable marketing tactic at your law firm
Turn best practices into office policy
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen At first glance, practice and policy may seem similar enough not to warrant investigation. Time is usually a premium in any organization, and what difference does it make if an employee's action strays from office practice or policy? It's the same problem, right? Wrong! Very wrong. Organizations that don't clearly define and disseminate practices and … [Read more...] about Turn best practices into office policy
How to sell your legal services without being a pushy salesperson
By Trey Ryder bio Lawyers often ask me to explain how selling-based marketing differs from education-based marketing. I point out the standard differences about giving prospects what they want—information and advice—and removing what they don't want—a sales pitch. But the fine points of education-based marketing go much deeper. You and I, as consumers, want people to … [Read more...] about How to sell your legal services without being a pushy salesperson
Like a Boss: The High Cost of Bad Management
By Michelle Spencer bio Bosses have the greatest effect on an employee's satisfaction with their job, and employee turnover incurs considerable hard and soft costs. This has great significance for law firms, where many attorneys lead legal teams, and there is a high percentage of bosses. Management in law offices need to be especially mindful of these webs of unofficial … [Read more...] about Like a Boss: The High Cost of Bad Management
How to stop being a “hit and run” supervisor
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio How many times have you left the scene of a hit and run employee accident? Have you dented any employee fenders this month? What did it cost you? When hit and run supervisors spot problem situations, they race to the scene, take fast action and speed away, not realizing they may have left one or more employee casualties in their … [Read more...] about How to stop being a “hit and run” supervisor
An easy way to gauge your client’s satisfaction
with your firm
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio
For many years, I was the consumer who would be the first one to voice my displeasure at goods and services I received if I did not think I was getting value for my money or service, or a product somehow fell short of my expectations.
Over the years, though, I've come to realize that feedback of any kind is important and helps a business to make … [Read more...] about An easy way to gauge your client’s satisfaction
with your firm