It makes good business sense—and is respectful professional etiquette—to stay in touch with your former bosses, says Allison & Taylor, the nation's oldest professional reference checking firm. As your career advances, your efforts to stay connected with past employers could pay dividends many times over when they provide you with favorable professional … [Read more...] about Looking for a job promotion? Relationships are critical
Your career
Less than half of U.S. workers believe their employer supports a healthy lifestyle
Despite the prevalence of workplace wellness efforts, only one-third of American workers say they regularly participate in the health promotion programs provided by their employer, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. Additionally, less than … [Read more...] about Less than half of U.S. workers believe their employer supports a healthy lifestyle
Exempt employee salary rules just changed: are you ready?
By Paul Edwards bio Medical practice owners and office managers are about to face a tough transition. The minimum salary at which an employee may qualify as "exempt" from overtime pay has just been changed to $47,476 per year by the Department of Labor—and by December 1, 2016, all businesses must comply. What's changing, and why? Under the old Fair Labor Standards … [Read more...] about Exempt employee salary rules just changed: are you ready?
Is good leadership nature or nurture?
A report and leader model from ManpowerGroup's Right Management, experts in talent management, identifies leadership traits and provides practical solutions to predict, develop, and measure leadership effectiveness. The report, "Most Likely to Lead," comes at a critical time for employers: 87 percent do not believe they have the future leaders needed to fill critical roles. … [Read more...] about Is good leadership nature or nurture?
More easy steps to help you fight management battles
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've written before about relatively simple steps to better medical office management. I've also advised against underestimating seemingly trivial tactics for improvement. These types of suggestions can sound low-level or nit-picky. But one reason they are often repeated is because they are valuable and worth remembering. But don't worry, … [Read more...] about More easy steps to help you fight management battles
Top 10 oddball interview questions
Job candidates must be prepared for anything during an interview, according to Glassdoor, the transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace. The company therefore combed through hundreds of thousands of interview questions shared by job candidates over the past year to compile its annual list of the Top 10 Oddball Interview Questions. Here are the questions selected. 1. Asked … [Read more...] about Top 10 oddball interview questions
You can’t do it all
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've been asked, even criticized, about focusing too much on the "soft" side of management. I'm asked why I don't discuss more "concrete" issues like medical billing software or the latest Medicare requirements. One answer is that these are not my areas of expertise. But the most important answer for you is that these are not the really … [Read more...] about You can’t do it all
Do you have ‘fatal’ thinking flaws?
In a 10-year study, involving hundreds of interactive creative problem-solving sessions, business strategist and innovation coach Matthew E. May gave over 100,000 professionals a thought challenge far less complex than their routine business problems. Results? Not only did less than 5 percent arrive at the best and most elegant solution, but the solutions given were … [Read more...] about Do you have ‘fatal’ thinking flaws?
More than half of workers more committed to personal life
Work-life balance may become a reality, if workers have anything to say about it. According to research from staffing firm Robert Half, 54 percent of professionals have increased their commitment to their personal life over the last year. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed say they are more committed to their career, and 34 percent cite additional dedication to their … [Read more...] about More than half of workers more committed to personal life
Your biggest job? Motivating your staff
By Steve M. Cohen bio There are a lot of tough jobs associated with managing a medical office. One of the most difficult is motivating your staff and keeping them motivated. This area is difficult for several reasons. It's intangible—you can't always see the results, at least not immediately. What works for one person often won't work for another. Worst of all, it's … [Read more...] about Your biggest job? Motivating your staff