By Lynne Curry Question: My top producer, “Luke,” out-performs any three employees. I love him to death. I wish I had more employees with his energy and drive. I also want to wring his neck. He alienates other employees with his brash “my way is the only way” attitude. When others are speaking in company meetings, he talks over them and cuts them off, using a condescending … [Read more...] about The competent jerk: Managing a top performer who alienates his coworkers
Productivity
7 ways to create a comfortable waiting room
When you step into a medical office waiting room, you want to feel comfortable, at ease, and assured that you're in good hands. As a medical office manager, it's essential to design a waiting room that reflects the care and attention you provide to your patients. Here are some best practices to consider as you create a welcoming and efficient environment. Focus on … [Read more...] about 7 ways to create a comfortable waiting room
Howdy and welcome to the team: 8 best onboarding practices
Onboarding a new employee in a medical office is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and set them up for success in their new role. Here are some best practices to consider for an effective onboarding process: Pre-boarding preparation: Start the onboarding process before the employee's first day. Share necessary paperwork, such as contracts, policies, and forms, in advance … [Read more...] about Howdy and welcome to the team: 8 best onboarding practices
6 steps to making good decisions
Should you subscribe to this billing platform or that one? Should you hire this receptionist candidate or that one? Should you create this kind of schedule or that one? Decisions, decisions! As a medical office manager, making informed and effective decisions is crucial to ensure smooth operations and provide quality care to patients. Here is some advice on how to approach … [Read more...] about 6 steps to making good decisions
Be smart about scheduling to retain hourly employees
Staff scheduling can significantly impact the success of your practice. While scheduling may seem like a routine administrative task, its importance in retaining your valuable hourly employees cannot be overstated. A well-designed and thoughtful scheduling system can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher productivity, and improved staff retention rates. . Depending on the … [Read more...] about Be smart about scheduling to retain hourly employees
Time blocking strategies for success: A guide for medical office managers
Managing the day-to-day operations of a medical office while juggling multiple tasks and projects requires smart time management. One powerful method for staying organized and focused is time blocking. By allocating specific blocks of time to different responsibilities, it's easier to boost productivity, streamline workflows, and keep projects on track. Here’s how time blocking … [Read more...] about Time blocking strategies for success: A guide for medical office managers
4 strategies for more effective medical billing
By Isaac Smith The medical billing process can be a time-consuming endeavor, but there are several ways you can improve your practice’s revenue flow. Here are five strategies for increasing your medical billing efficiency. 1 Ensure transparency in payments Whether you provide in-network or out-of-network services, patients are looking for more transparency from their … [Read more...] about 4 strategies for more effective medical billing
Cultivate these 7 habits for success
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 … [Read more...] about Cultivate these 7 habits for success
What happened to weekends?
By Lynne Curry If you’ve lost your weekends to work projects begging to be finished and annoying pop-up employer emails, you’re not alone. According to ActivTrak’s survey of 134,260 employees who worked for 900 separate organizations, employees work an average of 6.6 hours, almost a full work day, each weekend. If this fits you, consider these questions: Has your job taken … [Read more...] about What happened to weekends?
6 tips to keep your hybrid team productive
Creating a productive work environment has always been essential—but with the rise of remote work in recent years, building a hybrid workplace that supports both remote and on-site staff has become a top priority. Balancing flexibility with accountability can be a challenge, but the right strategies can help your medical office thrive. Here are six tips to foster productivity … [Read more...] about 6 tips to keep your hybrid team productive