March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. That's outside, where winter storms give way to springtime calm. Inside, there can also be a whirlwind of activity, especially if you're tackling office-wide organizational and spring-cleaning projects. If this is the month you strive to bring order to the firm, here are some tasks you can tackle. The office: 1. … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your March office checklist
Your career
5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
The last several years have been rough on everyone in the workplace, including law offices. Chances are someone on your team has had enough of the pressures from work, family, finances, the public health emergency and other turmoil in society. As a manager, you want to help. Here are four ideas to get you started: Help organize and prioritize work into manageable and … [Read more...] about 5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
10 tips for stronger business writing
Understand your audience: Before you start writing, think about who will be reading your document. Knowing your audience will help you choose the appropriate tone and language for your writing. Keep it clear and concise: Avoid using jargon and complicated language. Use simple and clear language that is easy to understand. Keep your sentences short and to the point. Use … [Read more...] about 10 tips for stronger business writing
What you write can come back and bite
By Lynne Curry Your recorded words—they’re direct evidence. Direct evidence is evidence that proves the existence of a fact. Direct evidence includes someone else’s direct observations as in “I saw…,” “I heard….” Here’s a case where a staffing firm torpedoed itself and their client. The firm’s recruiter emailed 66,000 recipients. They emailed 66,000 individuals seeking … [Read more...] about What you write can come back and bite
Pop Quiz: Can you find the errors in these 8 sentences?
Proofing a document entails far more than looking for spelling errors and typos. Here are some sentences to proof. See how many errors you can find. The answers are below. 1. "Don't pass judgement on me," she whined, "its not easy laying out in the sun all day trying to get a tan." 2. Whose the person whose credit card was stolen? 3. "Yes, its Hinkle alright," the … [Read more...] about Pop Quiz: Can you find the errors in these 8 sentences?
How to ask the partners for an evaluation
A formal performance evaluation is an opportunity for you to showcase your hard work and accomplishments, as well as a chance to identify any discrepancies in expectations. Ask the partners these four questions to establish the evaluation criteria and then start a diary to record your achievements. To assure continuing success at the job, the new administrator should make … [Read more...] about How to ask the partners for an evaluation
It’s a new year: Commit to making your career dreams come true
By Lynne Curry Start this new year off right by committing to making your career dreams come true. Perhaps you’ve thought, “I want to turn my hobby into a viable business;” “I want a higher paying, more exciting job;” “I want to make enough money to live on in 20 hours a week, so the rest of the week is mine,” or “I want those above me to consider me a leader and … [Read more...] about It’s a new year: Commit to making your career dreams come true
9 time-saving tips for busy law office administrators
Law office administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a law firm, which can be a complex and time-consuming task. In order to be effective, it is important for law office administrators to find ways to save time and streamline their work processes. Here are some tips and strategies for doing just that: Automate as much as possible: Technology … [Read more...] about 9 time-saving tips for busy law office administrators
What’s it going to take for me to rise to this challenge?
By Lynne Curry Question: I’m an easygoing, accommodating supervisor. Not only does it take a lot to upset me, but I hate conflict. As a result, some employees take advantage. This can create messy situations as the employees with strong work ethic have to pick up the slack. Soon after I hired “Sam,” he scheduled a private meeting with me and let me know Bekah was … [Read more...] about What’s it going to take for me to rise to this challenge?
How to save yourself and your career from gaslighting
By Lynne Curry When you discover your colleague led a pivotal meeting you didn’t attend—one to which he invited several key managers but not you—you confront him. He looks affronted, and says, “But didn’t you get the invitation? I sent it to you a week ago. Maybe you deleted it by accident?” His certainty shakes you, and you search your inbox, your deleted files, and … [Read more...] about How to save yourself and your career from gaslighting