By Elizabeth M. Miller bio What's the most important task you have to tackle today? Do you have so many you can't decide which to address first? In law firms, priorities change from day to day and even moment to moment. The truth of the matter is that there are often competing priorities. And unless there is an obvious crisis, it's sometimes not that easy to decide which … [Read more...] about How to prioritize law firm management tasks
Managing staff
You’ll soon say goodbye to summer temps
You'll soon be saying goodbye to your summer temps they head back to school and your regular staffers return from vacations. Here are some things you can do to ensure a smooth transition and maintain office efficiency: 1. Conduct an Exit Interview An exit interview can provide valuable feedback on the temp's experience in your office. Ask about what worked well and any … [Read more...] about You’ll soon say goodbye to summer temps
How to get good stuff about the office during an exit interview
An exit interview should bring to light far more than what is good and bad about the office. It should give insight into what's really going on and produce ideas for making improvements. There's an art to exit interviewing. It's a matter of getting the staffer to talk and asking the questions that will keep them talking. A smile at the start Start by setting a positive … [Read more...] about How to get good stuff about the office during an exit interview
Model Policy: Employee resignation
Establishing a formal policy for employee resignation will help ensure that staff transitions go smoothly; the firm treats employees fairly and consistently; and legal requirements are followed. … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Employee resignation
Empathy an important workplace leadership quality
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, and perspectives of others. It involves not only recognizing and acknowledging the emotions of others but also demonstrating care and concern for their well-being. In the context of a workplace leader, empathy is essential for several reasons: Building Trust: Empathetic leaders are … [Read more...] about Empathy an important workplace leadership quality
To-Dos: Your July office checklist
According to best-selling author Regina Brett, "Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds." You wish! That might happen on the weekend—if you're lucky—but Monday to Friday, there's still plenty of work to do at the office. Here are some … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your July office checklist
Great ideas for engaging remote staff
Engaging remote staffers can be a unique challenge, but as a law office manager, you have the opportunity to foster a cohesive and motivated team, even from afar. Creating a culture of engagement starts with maintaining open and effective communication. Regular check-ins through video calls, phone calls, or messaging platforms can help maintain personal connections. For … [Read more...] about Great ideas for engaging remote staff
The death of a job and the 5 stages of grief
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen Unfortunately, as a manager you sometimes have to terminate someone. It's also unfortunate that sometimes this doesn't go well. That results in significant stress and related problems on both sides. Fortunately, an awareness of the emotional impact of termination can help you work with the soon-to-be terminated employee to make parting, and any … [Read more...] about The death of a job and the 5 stages of grief
To-Dos: Your June office checklist
As we near the end of the second quarter, it's a good time to see if the firm, staff, and you are all on track with respect to the goals you set in January or if any course corrections are needed. Here are a few areas you can address. 1. Check the budget. Review the budget to see if and where alterations are needed. Are the goals still appropriate? Are employees making good … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your June office checklist
Flex-retirement: A win-win strategy for employee retention
Employee retention is not only a cost-effective strategy, but it also helps maintain institutional knowledge and ensures a smoother transition when team members retire. One innovative approach that can facilitate this transition and keep experienced staff on board is "flex-retirement." What Is Flex-Retirement? Flex-retirement, also known as flexible retirement, is a workplace … [Read more...] about Flex-retirement: A win-win strategy for employee retention