What should you do when you’re stuck with a bad assistant, secretary or subordinate — and your assistant doesn’t assist? When is just time to switch assistants, or even fire the person? Reader K wonders: We are a small (12 people) conservative professional investment firm serving high net worth clients. I recently moved from front office … Read More about The Bad Assistant: When To Switch, When to Fire
Work Styles
Which work style do you have? Which is best for your personality and career?
Do Multiple Devices Boost Your Productivity — or Your Overwhelm?
How many devices do you have? Does having multiple devices boost your productivity — or just add to the feeling of being overwhelmed? Reader A has an interesting question: So I was wondering, how many pieces of technology do you and your readers have? I am increasingly getting overwhelmed by it all. I have a desktop both … Read More about Do Multiple Devices Boost Your Productivity — or Your Overwhelm?
Your Job, Your Career, or You: When to Quit Your Career
When should you quit your career? How do you know when you’ve chosen the wrong one? How long should you give yourself before you quit — and how many jobs should you try in that career?
How to Choose the Best Office
If you could pick any office, which would you choose? What factors would help you choose the best office? Reader C wonders… I’m thrilled to have accepted a new job! I’m an attorney in my late 20s making a lateral move to a mid-size boutique firm after five years with my current shop. Of all … Read More about How to Choose the Best Office
Becoming a Better Manager: Books and Online Resources
Update: We still stand by this advice on how to become a better manager (and links have been updated below), but you may also want to check out our latest discussion on online women’s management training. How do you become a boss and a more effective leader — whether you’re new to management or you’ve supervised people for a while and want to … Read More about Becoming a Better Manager: Books and Online Resources
Being Confident at Work vs. Being Arrogant
What’s the difference between confidence and arrogance, especially at work, especially for women? How can you tell if you’ve crossed that line at work? Reader A wonders… I’ve got a sensitive subject that I haven’t seen discussed about discipline at work. I was recently hired at a law office where I’ve summered the last two … Read More about Being Confident at Work vs. Being Arrogant
How to Be Productive When You Work in an Open Office
Readers, do you have any tips for how to work productively in an open office? What advice do you have for someone struggling to adjust to one? Reader K wonders how to be productive when you work in an open office… I’d love to hear your and readers thoughts about open office plans in the … Read More about How to Be Productive When You Work in an Open Office
CRMs, Business Development Trackers, and Other Organizing Fun
How can you track business development efforts, beyond traditional CRM (customer relationship management) software programs? We’ve talked about how to build a book of business, but not how to organize those attempts. Here’s reader EJ’s question: I have accepted a new job that will involve less billable hours and more business development. I would like … Read More about CRMs, Business Development Trackers, and Other Organizing Fun
How to Organize Your Office
Let’s talk about a subject near and dear to our hearts, ladies: how do you organize your office and your work (or otherwise get things done)? We’ve talked about cute office supplies, the best notebooks, planners, and office padfolios — as well as how to keep notes to CYA — but we haven’t talked about … Read More about How to Organize Your Office
Are You an Office Mom?
Here’s a fun question for you: are you the office mom*? I’ve read that being the office mom tends to hurt your career because people see you as, well, the MOM instead of the professional you are. So here’s the Q: do you agree that being the “office mom” is a bad thing — or … Read More about Are You an Office Mom?
Homing from Work – What Personal Tasks Are OK to Do at the Office?
What personal tasks are OK to do in the office?
How to Build a Book of Business: Business Development Tips for Women
What are the best practices for business development? How do you build a book of business? Are there any especially great business development tips for women? Reader S, a new partner, wonders: I am starting at a new firm as a partner where there is a great deal of emphasis on client development. Its a … Read More about How to Build a Book of Business: Business Development Tips for Women