By Stacey Hanke bio Have you ever been so frustrated by someone's bad habits that the very thought of communicating with them scares you? Do you go into hiding when you see a rude coworker coming your way? What if YOU are the one everyone with whom everyone fears communicating? What you think others believe is not always the truth. While many professionals believe … [Read more...] about Five scary actions that haunt your reputation
Your career
How to stage your office for improved productivity
Is clutter slowing down productivity in your practice? Clutter is a major distraction and eats up time, says Pat Heydlauff of Energy Design, a productive-focused environment company. "Nobody can concentrate or work efficiently amidst disorganization," she says, pointing out that getting rid of office clutter can significantly improve the atmosphere and speed up the work … [Read more...] about How to stage your office for improved productivity
Resolving employee conflict
Q: Two members of my staff don't get along with each other—at all. The constant bickering and other childish behavior have me at my wit's end. Sometimes I feel like I'm an elementary school teacher as opposed to a manager. This isn't what I signed on for, and it's really affecting my attitude toward the job. Any suggestions you can offer will be appreciated. A: Employee … [Read more...] about Resolving employee conflict
10 essential tips for new managers
New managers face a number of challenges, but which challenge is the most daunting? According to a recent survey, the most difficult part of becoming a manager is balancing individual responsibilities with time spent overseeing staff. Supervising friends or former peers ranked as the second greatest concern. The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources and … [Read more...] about 10 essential tips for new managers
Not enough time in the day? Here are four good ways to find new minutes
When responding to Medical Office Manager's readers' survey, many managers said the most difficult part of their job is finding time to get all the work done. So here are four good time management recommendations from workflow advisor Jason Womack of Ojai, CA, author of "Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More." These recommendations cover … [Read more...] about Not enough time in the day? Here are four good ways to find new minutes
Surviving seven types of nightmare personalities
They may do good work but their obnoxious personalities spawn resentment and negativity. Don't hesitate to strike hard at negative staffers, says Blaine M. Loomer, a management consultant and author of the book, "Corporate Bullsh*t: A Survival Guide." Let them carry on and the office can get more unpleasant every day—for both management and staff. He lists the seven most … [Read more...] about Surviving seven types of nightmare personalities
5 ways high-performance organizations make meetings effective
By J. Elise Keith bio Every organization has to figure out how to make meetings productive. It's a complex challenge. To be effective, each meeting needs to engage the individual talents of the people involved, work to achieve the organization's specific goals for the moment, and do so in a way that's both culturally relevant and contextually sensitive to the world around it. … [Read more...] about 5 ways high-performance organizations make meetings effective
Are you managing or mentoring your staff?
Good managers manage. If this seems like an obvious statement, consider the many areas of the practice you manage: patient scheduling, billing and collections, purchasing and leasing, office technology, compliance, and others. You also manage a staff. If this, too, seems obvious, ask yourself a question: Have you ever taken the time to think about what "managing a staff" … [Read more...] about Are you managing or mentoring your staff?
7 dining rules every manager should follow
By Cheryl Toth, MBA bio You know this guy. He's the loudest talker at the table. He waves his fork around when he tells a story or joke. Or occasionally punctuates the air with it to indicate he has shared something very important. Don't be this guy. Whether you are having lunch with your team, dinner with the doctors, or you're attending the annual hospital gala, good … [Read more...] about 7 dining rules every manager should follow
How to eliminate meeting pain points and stop wasting time
Love 'em or hate 'em, meetings are an essential platform for sharing information, brainstorming new ideas, and collaborating as a team. But are they always necessary? It doesn't seem so, finds new research from Accountemps. Professionals surveyed said they spend more than one-fifth (21 percent) of their work hours in meetings but feel a quarter of that time is wasted. Workers … [Read more...] about How to eliminate meeting pain points and stop wasting time