Rather than working their way up the corporate ladder, top talent is more often looking for jobs that enable them to develop their skills and increase their value in a future role, according to a new report released by Right Management, the global workforce consulting arm of ManpowerGroup. "Fulfilling Careers Instead of Filling Jobs" suggests that companies can significantly … [Read more...] about How to create a culture of professional development and keep your top employees
Working with lawyers
Don’t kill your professional prose with these 10 errors
Those who work in the legal industry generally communicate professionally, clearly, and correctly. But no one's perfect. How many of these errors have made their way into your written communications? 1. Lie v. lay. These get misused so much that when someone finally does get them right, it's noticeable. Lie = lie down to sleep. Lay = lay something down. People lie down and lie … [Read more...] about Don’t kill your professional prose with these 10 errors
Asking for a raise
One of the most frequently asked career questions is, "What is the best way to ask for a raise?" Not surprising, a frequently asked management question is, "What are best practices when it comes to employees asking for a raise?" Answers to these two questions actually have a lot of overlap. Think about the times staff members approached you for a raise. When did they make a … [Read more...] about Asking for a raise
Solutions to 3 people problems: performance, raises, and rude clients
Here are three common people-management problems and their solutions. The first two deal with managing staff; the third deals with managing clients. #1: Lousy performance People problem #1. How to address poor performance in such a way that the outcome is improvement, not firing. The obvious answer is to meet with the staffer, explain the problem, and tell how to correct … [Read more...] about Solutions to 3 people problems: performance, raises, and rude clients
Caitlyn Jenner raises awareness, questions about transgender people
Olympic gold medalist and reality television personality Bruce Jenner has become Caitlyn Jenner. Jenner's transition has been well documented by the media, culminating in a photo of Caitlyn on the cover of Vanity Fair. Although her journey has been more public than most, Jenner's story is not unique. It is estimated that 700,000 people in the United States are transgender, … [Read more...] about Caitlyn Jenner raises awareness, questions about transgender people
The psychology of getting clients to pay
When the collections get tough, the tough start adding a bit of psychology to the billing. It can make the difference between getting paid now or getting paid later or maybe not getting paid at all, says Merra Lee Moffitt of Capture Profits, a revenue and profit building consulting company in Reading, PA. A waning economy is no time to sit at status quo with the billing, … [Read more...] about The psychology of getting clients to pay
Anybody over age 40?
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is waiting and watching for a violation. Age discrimination can creep in quietly and unexpectedly. It can come even from some well-intentioned remark such as, "You're overqualified for this job"—the term "overqualified" being taken as a euphemism for old. Here Alix Rubin, an employment law attorney in West Caldwell, NJ, … [Read more...] about Anybody over age 40?
The best business plan: Fall back and regroup at a firm retreat
Is the firm retreat a dying exercise? During the current economic downturn, many practices eliminated the annual retreat in an effort to save money. But it's when the revenues and business future are most mercurial that a retreat is most needed, says Robert Denney, a Wayne, PA, law firm management consultant. The firm needs to know how to navigate through the financial waters … [Read more...] about The best business plan: Fall back and regroup at a firm retreat
Large firm gives staff a committee voice
Like any law firm, a large firm in Maine has many committees. And until recently it restricted membership to the attorneys. No more. The office started giving membership in just about all of its committees to staff. The move came as a part of strategic planning when the firm was discussing how it could become the employer of choice in the area, says the administrator. The … [Read more...] about Large firm gives staff a committee voice
Standing desks—Fad or functional?
You might want to stand up for this: "Sitting is the new smoking" says a recent study on the economic impact of reduced physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. Indeed, it's well documented that we are, essentially, sitting far too much, and for far too long. The results of this have been shown to be negatively affecting our health, and waistlines. Unfortunately, studies … [Read more...] about Standing desks—Fad or functional?