Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Are-you-ready-for-a-Mentor.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Are-you-ready-for-a-Mentor.html What is mentoring? Mentoring is a special relationship between a master and an apprentice. You can find good examples in modern culture: Obiwan Kanobee and Luke Skywalker from Star Wars and Cane (David Carradine) from the old Kung Fu TV series. In centuries past this was the only way to pass on critical knowledge of a craft. The mentor's role was to teach, coach and encourage. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Problem-Solving-Dont-Ignore-the-Nudges.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Problem-Solving-Dont-Ignore-the-Nudges.html You will encounter two types of problems, acute and chronic. They have two distinct warnings signs and different methods of solving them. You need to be aware of both types of problems and how to solve them. You may already know about the first type. But knowing how to identify and solve the second type will provide greater benefit for you and your organization. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Mentors-and-Protegees.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Mentors-and-Protegees.html A mentor is someone - perhaps a family member, friend or business associate - who is more experienced in the business who is willing to give you some of their time, advice and support. Mentors never do this for money. They enter into the relationship because they want to help you. They see some potential in you and maybe a little of themselves in you. They want to help and you must be ready. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Change-what-you-do.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Change-what-you-do.html January is named after the Roman god, Janus who had two faces - one looking back and the other looking forward. Now is a good time for you to do both. Review the past year to list and celebrate your accomplishments. Also review your setbacks armed with hindsight to crystallize the wisdom you gained. Looking ahead - set your goals and map your path. But don't expect to keep doing what you are doing and get more. Prepare to change your approach just to get the same results. If you want to improve - do something dramatically different. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Bill-Gates-Secret-Weapon-Stop-to-Think.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Bill-Gates-Secret-Weapon-Stop-to-Think.html Bill Gates stops to think at least twice a year. Bill escapes to his wilderness lodge every six months for one week. It is during these times that he develops strategy for Microsoft. It was one of these thinking sessions that helped him to move his company to embrace the Internet and the related opportunities. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Entrepreneuers-Beware--Cool-is-not-enough.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Entrepreneuers-Beware--Cool-is-not-enough.html Every entrepreneur should watch this movie at least three times. I watched Cool Hand Luke on TV the other night. It is an old movie (1967) staring Paul Newman in the lead role along with George Kennedy. There is an assortment of other actors who I recognized more by their voices than their very young faces - including Wayne Rogers from the MASH TV series, and Dennis Hopper. The story is set in 1948 at a Southern US chain-gang prison. It lives up to the label of a classic movie - enjoyable to watch and full of powerful messages. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Branding-Death-Cigarettes.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Branding-Death-Cigarettes.html How can you create a powerful brand? Follow the advice of UK entrepreneur BJ Cunningham. This is so good. BJ created a company called The Enlightened Tobacco Company in 1991, selling a cigarette called “Death Cigarettes”. It was presented in a black package emblazoned with a white skull-and-crossbones logo. Just imagine how this might appeal to the rebels. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Leaders-Invent-Themselves.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Leaders-Invent-Themselves.html Look at the mess we're in. Why doesn't somebody do something? When was the last time you heard or even thought that? Look! Up in the air, it's Superman! We're saved. What a hero. If only I had his powers I could be a hero. If only I was born a leader. Wrong! The big myth is that leaders are born. The reality, in the words of Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader, is "Leaders Invent Themselves". http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/The-Advertising-Scam-New-Entrepreneurs-Beware.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/The-Advertising-Scam-New-Entrepreneurs-Beware.html Imagine that you are a new entrepreneur. You have a great idea; you did your research, you're feeling optimistic and you just registered your company name. Experienced business people would be polite in calling you naive. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Systems-for-Business-Success.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2700/Systems-for-Business-Success.html What does it take to succeed in your business? How many times have you asked that question of yourself and others? You may have heard many different answers. I have found one thing that successful people have in common. They use systems.