It's that time of year when law firm administrators must start planning how to invest their resources to meet next year's expectations. And the only way to do that is with a realistic budget. Here are some tasks you can address this month to help you get a sense of where the firm's at now, so that you can realistically plan for where you want it to go. Assemble your 2024 … [Read more...] about TO-DOs: Your October office checklist
Managing staff
Follow the example of the Navy SEALs and build the framework of an excellent training program
By Michelle Spencer bio Recently, an article appeared in The Harvard Business Review entitled "How the Navy SEALs Train for Leadership Excellence," written by Michael Schrage, an educator and research fellow at MIT Sloan School's Center for Digital Business. In his article, Schrage wrote, "As an educator, I fear world-class business schools and high-performance … [Read more...] about Follow the example of the Navy SEALs and build the framework of an excellent training program
Just how truthful is that applicant’s resume? Here’s how to find out
There's always tough competition for a good job. And sometimes, to beat out the competition, people do more than brush up their resumes. Some fabricate the facts to get in a better position for winning a job. But there's a way to sort out the facts from the fiction, says Michelle Taylor, PhD, of Taylor Consulting in Huntington Beach, CA, a company that provides psychological … [Read more...] about Just how truthful is that applicant’s resume? Here’s how to find out
To-Dos: Your August office checklist
The middle of summer is a great time for tackling projects that you can't get to during the rest of the year. Here are a few suggestions: Ensure that data security is covered in your employee handbook, employee training, and BYOD policy. Include computer files as part of your summer office clean-up. Start planning for the last quarter of the year in terms of collections … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your August office checklist
How to implement a leave-sharing program
"How can I help?" It's a question that many employees ask when a co-worker or a co-worker's family member is facing a serious medical issue. And one way that employers can facilitate assistance is to allow employees to donate time off to their co-workers who have exhausted all available leave. At first glance, a leave-sharing program appears to be a win-win-win … [Read more...] about How to implement a leave-sharing program
Try this proven 7-part employee award program to build motivation throughout the year
In a New York state office, the employee-of-the-month award goes beyond cursory congratulations. It is a recognition that lasts all year with seven reward components. Staff take the award seriously. When it is announced at the staff meeting each month, employees are supportive of each other. They cry and hug and congratulate the winner, says the manager of the 21-staff … [Read more...] about Try this proven 7-part employee award program to build motivation throughout the year
How to be a better proofreader
When hours of work are spent crafting a compelling legal brief, contract, or report, it can be very disheartening, not to mention embarrassing, to have all credibility instantly erased with one misspelled word. Of course, typos happen. Human beings make mistakes. And we can't rely on technology to save us either, unfortunately. For example, spell check would not have … [Read more...] about How to be a better proofreader
How to conduct fair and effective performance reviews
It may be the most common target for Dilbert cartoons, but the performance review is an ethical obligation for a manager. Every employee in every job setting wants to know two things: What do you expect of me? and How am I doing at meeting your expectations? A manager has an obligation to answer those questions, says Dick Grote, a management consultant … [Read more...] about How to conduct fair and effective performance reviews
9 critical rules for managing former peers when you get promoted
Just promoted to administrator from within the ranks? Congratulations . . . and beware. It's not easy to manage former peers. Friendships have to change, and so do whatever hard feelings the new administrator had with other staffers. And relationships aside, about two thirds of the staff now reporting to the new administrator think they should have been given the job. Here … [Read more...] about 9 critical rules for managing former peers when you get promoted
4 elements of a successful summer intern program
What makes a successful summer recruiting program? A Philadelphia firm whose program is consistently ranked among the top five firms attributes its success to several factors, says Mindy Herczfeld, director of legal recruiting for Cozen O'Connor. These factors include work variety, strong attorney involvement, and a not-so-competitive environment—as well as personal mentors … [Read more...] about 4 elements of a successful summer intern program