A dilemma almost every administrator faces today is how to provide worthwhile staff benefits in an economy that doesn't allow for extra expense. So we researched the benefits that legal offices, as well as other types of businesses, are offering. Some are astounding. Google, for example, provides free haircuts, financial assistance for adoption, free gourmet lunches, and an … [Read more...] about 17 benefits that employees like and the firm can afford
Managing staff
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
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
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
Six easy ways to open the door to a malpractice claim
Answering a malpractice claim is a wretched experience that worsens as it goes along, because once a client files a malpractice claim, “there’s a high possibility that an ethical grievance will come from the same incident,” says Nancy Byerly Jones, a management consultant who focuses on preventive management, mediation, and dispute resolution. … [Read more...] about Six easy ways to open the door to a malpractice claim
17 quick tips for law firm leaders
By Robert Denney bio Here are some quick pointers to keep in mind, whether you've been a firm leader for decades or are new to the position. Have a vision. If you don't know where you're going, you'll never get there. Develop a strategic plan and follow it. Hell is paved with good intentions and business plans that were never implemented. … [Read more...] about 17 quick tips for law firm leaders
Donʼt get into a merger without smoothing out these rough spots
A merger can bring in more clients, give the firm a presence in a new geographic area, and add depth to an existing practice area. It can also be the downfall for the merging parties, says Allan Hodgart, a strategic development advisor and managing director in the London office of Huron, an international management consulting organization. To be successful, both parties need … [Read more...] about Donʼt get into a merger without smoothing out these rough spots
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
When an employee has body odor
Q: I don't know how to say this delicately, so I'll get right to the point. A staffer at our practice has terrible body odor. Her B.O. is so bad that several other staffers have approached me, saying they don't want to work with her. Also, they have asked me to do something about the situation. I'm usually good at counseling employees, but this particular problem has me … [Read more...] about When an employee has body odor
Want to improve attorney tech use? Start by breaking down silos in your firm
By Michelle Spencer bio I have long wondered why there are two different teams in law firms doing similar functions. I am referring to the professional development and technology training teams. Both of the teams perform learning and development functions, and yet they are usually in two different departments that work alone, except in rare instances. They … [Read more...] about Want to improve attorney tech use? Start by breaking down silos in your firm