Memos to Managers

How to keep new employees productive & engaged

06/28/2023

When employees quit shortly after being hired, the departure is a gut punch to productivity and adds unnecessary costs. Plus, it can send unsettling shock waves to employees. Managers set the foundation for good employee relationships during the hiring process and in those first weeks on the job. Here are tips to keep newbies onboard, productive and engaged.

Negotiating workplace conflicts: 9 tips for managers

06/13/2023

Conflict happens in all corners of the workplace. If issues aren’t settled, bad things can happen. But supervisors and managers don’t need to become certified mediators to settle disputes.

Analysis paralysis? 4 tips for making better decisions

04/26/2023

Your ability to make sound business decisions swiftly—even when they involve ambiguity and risk—is a major factor in your ability to guide and manage a successful team. Here are some simple ways to help you make better decisions.

Here comes the summer help!

03/23/2023

How to welcome, prep and manage those seasonal employees.

Emotional rescue: How to help angry employees vent

02/23/2023

Say one of your employees walks into your office all red-faced and angry. How should you respond? Follow these do’s and don’ts to help employees vent about stressful work problems and think about solutions:

Worried about a new hire? ‘Salvage operation’ tips

01/25/2023

Most managers have faced this dilemma at least once in their careers: A candidate looks great on paper and gives a knockout interview; but two weeks into the new job, you’re less than enthused. You now have a choice: Cut your losses or run a salvage operation.

How to spot and prevent burnout

12/20/2022

Everyone has a limit. When walking into work (or taking the few steps to the home office) becomes a challenge, your employees are probably on track to experience burnout. The ability to spot and—more importantly—prevent burnout can save great workers from absences or the pursuit of greener pastures.

Onboarding questions to ask over 30/60/90 days

11/22/2022

Transitioning new hires into your department involves multiple cascading events that occur over time, both for the manager, the new hire and the organization. Much more than simply enrolling people in benefits and setting up their payroll, it’s your first chance to make a good impression and truly integrate the individual into your culture.

8 tips for keeping workplace messages from turning toxic

10/26/2022

The best time to address negative issues is before they become a major plague—or a lawsuit. Here are eight strategies for us all to employ.

Ten things great bosses do every day

09/29/2022

We’ve all heard the adage, “People don’t leave bad jobs; they leave bad bosses.” On the flip side, great bosses change us for the better. They see more in us than we see in ourselves and help us learn to discover our strengths. Look at these ten characteristics of great bosses to know where you rank—and, more importantly, how to improve.