Law Office Manager

Managing the office

How to sift through and solve staff complaints

This month’s idea comes from a consultant who is also a former medical practice manager. It’s a short and easy way to handle one staffer’s complaint about another. The starting point is to sift through the complaints to identify which ones warrant the manager’s attention and which ones staff should deal with on their own, says Cindy Fondren Muise of Peyton, CO. As a manager, … [Read more...] about How to sift through and solve staff complaints

Critical Mass—Not Just for Physics Anymore

By Steve M. Cohen  bio While most of us have a limited understanding of physics, we have an idea of what "critical mass" means. But just in case you need a refresher: When you reach a sufficient and/or necessary level of something to effect something else, you have critical mass. For our purposes, forget the physical aspect and think about your organization. Do you … [Read more...] about Critical Mass—Not Just for Physics Anymore

Raffle gets staffers to monthly 8 a.m. meeting

A raffle for prizes gets each monthly meeting off to a fun start for the staff at a Finger Lakes, NY, professional office. Director of operations Eileen Szanyi says the draws are designed to increase attendance at the 8 a.m. meetings. “Those attending put their names into a basket for the month’s prizes,” she explains. “The gifts don’t have to be costly. One prize is always … [Read more...] about Raffle gets staffers to monthly 8 a.m. meeting

Due process safety net is complex, but not impossible

For many, summer is baseball season or, increasingly, soccer season. But in your workplace, you will also find team sports that can impact your bottom line or organizational effectiveness. Rules of the game If "players" in your organization are not playing ball the way they should, it's also a three-strike situation (or a red card, if you prefer soccer). What's important for … [Read more...] about Due process safety net is complex, but not impossible

Use a standard calendar entry format firm-wide

Once you've established a policy that all calendar events are to be entered into your centralized calendar system, go one step further and create a standard entry format. After all, there's no point having a calendar that everyone can access if only a handful of people can understand the entries. Here's one format you can implement: [Professional's initials] – [Case]: [Manner … [Read more...] about Use a standard calendar entry format firm-wide

How to get maximum impact from business cards, brochures and other printed advertising

How your law practice presents itself is extremely important – and while you might not think much about marketing, a little attention to it can go a long way toward creating a favorable impression. Why go there? Printed marketing material not only helps convey an image, or what marketers call brand identity, it allows for sharing information. What's more, printed material is … [Read more...] about How to get maximum impact from business cards, brochures and other printed advertising

Model Policy: Telecommuting

Why you need this policy: Telecommuting offers significant business advantages to a law firm. But it also comes with some liability challenges for employers who choose to offer telecommuting. How this policy helps you: The best way to avoid the 8 pitfalls of telecommuting is to establish a policy that sets out clearly the arrangement, the expectations and the criteria for … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Telecommuting

HR law and employee social networking

Can you discipline employees for social networking offenses? Answer: It depends. Explanation: Frittering away time, disclosing patient records, bad mouthing the practice and other offenses are grounds for discipline when they occur "off line." So why should it make a difference if employees do these things online while social networking? In theory, it shouldn't. The … [Read more...] about HR law and employee social networking