It's a temptation too great for many people to resist—using the Internet to check their Facebook page, watch those cat videos or check on the Fantasy League while at work. And according to a survey from FindLaw.com, a provider of business development solutions for law firms, about half of staff members are surfing the Internet when they should be working. What are they … [Read more...] about What your staff is doing on the Internet and why you may want to allow it
Productivity
Five tips for better decision-making
When it comes to making decisions, intuition can be a powerful ally. Yet for most people, knowing how to tune in to their intuition and actually put it to use is almost always harder than it sounds. "Especially when you need it most, such as when making important decisions, intuition can be difficult to hear due to mental chatter, fear, emotions or outside opinions," says … [Read more...] about Five tips for better decision-making
Physicians have mixed feelings about technology
A nationwide survey on physician sentiment toward technology, conducted by Geneia, a company creating analytic and technology solutions to improve health care, finds physicians believe technology is both a help and hindrance. Physician views on electronic medical records (EMRs) are representative of their mixed feelings about technology in the workplace. When asked whether … [Read more...] about Physicians have mixed feelings about technology
Get organized or suffer
By Steve M. Cohen bio I usually focus more on the serious sides of personnel management, the kind of issues that can close down a business or organization if mishandled. "Getting organized" might not sound like one of those issues, but I've witnessed cases where disorganization was clearly a factor in success and failure. Especially in environments like those faced … [Read more...] about Get organized or suffer
Simple differences may hide volumes
By Steve M. Cohen bio Management is often a game of differentiating between the mundane and the critical. Like many things involving humans, management often includes a lot of seemingly similar demands that turn out to be very different. One of the most important can involve the difference between "practice" and "policy." Legally and otherwise, there's a … [Read more...] about Simple differences may hide volumes
Management really does matter
By Steve M. Cohen bio Although most of us assume the obvious, it's worth stressing the underlining need for good management and "mess management" in any organization. There is much that you can do to anticipate the potholes and to navigate around them if you are savvy and prepared. It helps if you have formal education in leadership and management, but even if you don't, … [Read more...] about Management really does matter
Lighten up the office for increased productivity
By Steve M. Cohen bio Let's face it, work is not always fun. As they say, "that's why they call it work." But there is a point where a manager may need to draw a line. Although the problem can take many forms, the issues can often be grouped under the heading of "negativity." An "office complainer" is one example you may know. There are also constant critics, … [Read more...] about Lighten up the office for increased productivity
These office engagements don’t involve a ring
By Steve M. Cohen bio It's always exciting when someone at the office gets engaged to marry. There's another type of engagement that is important at work: engagement in the job. For any staff member, manager or even an owner/partner, there are key questions: Are you engaged? Is your staff engaged? The answers are critical. I often quote the Gallagher Organization. … [Read more...] about These office engagements don’t involve a ring
Handling complainers: every office has one, but what should you do?
By Steve M. Cohen bio Handling an "office complainer" may be one of the most overlooked management issues in the books. We all know a complainer—someone who never seems to be happy with the way things are, and often attributes to others their perceived woes and the perceived woes of any organization they're involved with. This can be a minor issue. In fact, most of us are … [Read more...] about Handling complainers: every office has one, but what should you do?
Your office can improve operations with a few easy changes
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure you've seen one of Hollywood's "political" movies. You know the kind: drama unfolds between a candidate and (fill in the blank), while his or her selfless team of volunteers labor furiously in the background, assuring that the candidate still wins, despite spending all of his or her time dealing with the drama. Hollywood fantasy, right? … [Read more...] about Your office can improve operations with a few easy changes