Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Your-work-environment-leaves-an-impressionof-you.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Your-work-environment-leaves-an-impressionof-you.html Like it or not, many do "judge a book by its cover." In many ways, our work environment is a reflection of who we are, how we work, and how we may treat others. This article addresses the work environment as well as providing tips on sprucing it up. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Building-Confidence.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Building-Confidence.html Zig Ziglar said, "You are the only person on earth who can use your ability." We are all blessed with unique abilities, but all too often, our confidence may be challenged. This article deals with the issue of confidence and provides tips (as written from BNET) on how to build confidence in self and in those who are on your team. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/No-Excuses.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/No-Excuses.html This article visits a powerful advertisement released by Nike'. The theme of the commercial deals with excuses. A couple questions are added for small group discussion. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/The-powerful-skill-of-listening.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/The-powerful-skill-of-listening.html Out of the mouth of babes a lesson is brought concerning the forgotten skill of listening. It is amazing how one small child teaches more in a few moments than what can be gained from hours in a professional seminar. A exercise to be carried out in a small staff meeting is included. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Give-the-customer-more-than-what-is-asked.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Give-the-customer-more-than-what-is-asked.html This article delves into the foresight and initiative shown in giving the customer more than what is asked. The customer loves it when something was provided without having to ask for it. A short small-group exercise is included. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/A-deescalation-technique.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/A-deescalation-technique.html In our struggle for constructive communication, much frustration comes from the failure to listen. This brief article addresses this subject. A brief group exercise is included for a facilitator to carry out in a small staff meeting. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Sharing-best-practices-companywide.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Sharing-best-practices-companywide.html Can the IT department really benefit from ideas given from Sales? Can Marketing really get great results if they listen to tips from the mailroom? This article shares what some succesful firms have done concerning the interdepartmental sharing of ideas. An exercise is included for discussion in staff meetings. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Customer-preception-of-waiting.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Customer-preception-of-waiting.html This article shares the results of a study conducted at The School of Business and Economics at North Caroline AT&T University. The report focused on the customer's perception of delay before receiving services. A small group activity is included for the purpose of discussion of what your site/department/business can do to affect customer satisfaction. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Be-on-time.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/Be-on-time.html This article shares the sentiments of former president George Washington concerning punctuality. Additionally, there are some interesting facts concerning time and the workplace. The article includes a team exercise that may be facilitated in a small group staff meeting. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/What-provokes-you-to-give-back.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/4131/What-provokes-you-to-give-back.html This article delves into a study conducted 37 years ago on what actually motivated people to provide assitance to another. Although almost four decades old, the tale is fascinating. This is quick, simple, powerful, and provides a small group discussion for small staff meetings.