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Home » Productivity
YOUR CAREER

Cultivate these 7 habits for success

May 2, 2023 by

As an office manager, you are responsible for the efficient operation of your workplace. Your role requires you to balance multiple tasks, manage diverse teams, and keep things organized. To become a highly effective office manager, you can take inspiration from Stephen Covey’s timeless book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Here are some tips based on Covey’s teachings to help you excel in your role: Be Proactive—Being proactive means taking charge of your actions and outcomes. As an office manager, you have the power to influence how your workplace functions. You can start by identifying the key challenges and opportunities in your workplace and taking proactive steps to address them. For instance, if you notice that communication is a problem, you can set up regular team meetings, implement… . . . read more

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PRODUCTIVITY

“I forgot what day it was” no excuse for being late to work

March 24, 2023 by

It’s important to address any issues that may be affecting the productivity and efficiency of your medical office. Chronic tardiness can be a significant problem that can impact the entire office, so it’s important to address it in a timely and effective manner. Here are some steps you can take to address an employee who is consistently late for work: Set clear expectations: Make sure your employee is aware of the start time for their shift and any other expectations related to punctuality. It’s important that these expectations are communicated clearly so that there is no confusion or ambiguity. Identify the underlying cause: Talk to your employee to understand why they are consistently late. There may be personal or work-related factors that are contributing to their tardiness, such as transportation… . . . read more

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TIME MANAGEMENT

Try the Pomodoro technique to focus on big projects

March 24, 2023 by

As a busy office administrator, you are constantly juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities. It can be easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you are not making progress on anything. When you need to focus on a large project such as monthly financials, reviewing job applications, implementing new software or other jobs that take time and concentration, try closing your door for a couple of hours and giving the big project your full attention. That’s where the Pomodoro technique comes in. This time management method can help you focus your attention and make the most of your time. The Pomodoro technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The method is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used to time his work sessions. The basic… . . . read more

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TOOL

Model Policy: Office Room Temperature

March 20, 2023 by

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment for all staff and clients by regulating the temperature in the law office. By implementing this office temperature policy, the law office aims to maintain a comfortable and productive work environment for all staff and clients. Consistent communication, monitoring, and maintenance of the HVAC system, and accommodating individual needs will contribute to the success of this policy.

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YOUR CAREER

Get to work on time if you expect others to be punctual

March 16, 2023 by

As an office manager, your job requires you to be punctual and reliable. You are the person your team looks up to for guidance and direction, and being on time sets the right example. If you find yourself constantly running late for work, it can impact not only your productivity but also that of your entire team. So, here are a few tips to help you get to work on time. Plan ahead The key to being on time is to plan ahead. Before you go to bed, take a few minutes to organize your day and think about how you will get to work. This could include planning your route, packing your lunch, setting out your clothes, and checking your schedule. If you are responsible for getting a children… . . . read more

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MANAGING STAFF

6 ways to dodge the dreaded performance review

March 9, 2023 by

Performance reviews: You don’t like to do them, employees dread them and they may not be all that effective in improving work behavior. Here are five alternatives to an annual performance review. Regular feedback sessions: Instead of a once-a-year review, schedule regular feedback sessions throughout the year to discuss performance and provide feedback. These sessions could be bi-monthly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the needs of the medical office. 360-degree feedback: 360-degree feedback involves gathering feedback from various sources, including managers, colleagues and physicians, to provide a more comprehensive view of an employee’s performance. This type of feedback can be gathered throughout the year and used to inform development plans. Goal setting and tracking: Set goals with employees and regularly track progress toward achieving those goals. This approach helps employees… . . . read more

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CORPORATE CULTURE

Must love dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles…

March 4, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry Question: When we surveyed our employees last month, we asked them what we could do to make them happier about returning to our company’s worksite. Many of their answers surprised us. The biggest surprise—many employees want to bring their pets to work with them. We’ve discussed this among the management team and have decided to allow pets but want to understand the problems we might get into before moving forward. What precautions do we need to take? Answer: Letting employees bring their pets to work has enormous benefits. It boosts morale; provides opportunities for employees to connect with each other over their pets and helps employers recruit for and retain employees. Start by sending a quick one-question follow-up email asking employees to let you know if they… . . . read more

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MANAGING THE OFFICE

Tame those office temperature tantrums!

March 2, 2023 by

Disputes over office temperature are relatively common among office staff. According to a study conducted by the International Facility Management Association, more than 50% of office workers report being unhappy with the temperature in their workplace. This dissatisfaction can lead to heated disputes or chilly relations among office staff, as people have different preferences for temperature and different comfort levels. For nearly 100 years, recommended temperatures for offices have been based on the body size and fat-to-muscle ratios (and typical clothing) of men, who tend to prefer temperatures around 72 degrees. Women feel colder than men at the same air temperature and prefer settings around 77 degrees. Besides being uncomfortable, the the wrong temperature can reduce productivity, as chilly workers fidget to get warm and overheated workers get move sluggishly…. . . . read more

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TECHNOLOGY

Declutter your phone to declutter your mind

March 1, 2023 by

As a busy law office manager, you probably use your smartphone for both personal and professional purposes. However, over time, your device may become cluttered with too many apps, files, and notifications. This can make it difficult to find what you need quickly, and may even affect your productivity. Fortunately, decluttering your smartphone is a simple task that can be done in just a few steps. Step 1: Delete Unused Apps The first step to decluttering your smartphone is to delete any apps that you no longer use or need. This includes apps that you downloaded but never used, as well as apps that you used in the past but no longer need. To delete an app on an iPhone, simply hold down the app icon until it starts to… . . . read more

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MANAGING STAFF

Partnering: Reset your relationship with your employees

February 23, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry You want your employees to work harder. They seem to expect a medal for what they’re already doing. You want your employees to feel happy about returning to the office. They don’t. They’d prefer to work remote. You handed out raises and expected your employees to thank you. Your employees reminded you their wages, even with the raises, haven’t kept pace with inflation. This disconnect may be so extreme that you can’t find enough employees willing to work for what you’re paying them. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, many employers have left jobs unfilled because they can’t afford to pay employees the wages employees demand. If you’re a manager or business owner struggling with the gulf between employee expectations and employer needs, here’s what you… . . . read more

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