Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/SelfAppointed-Subversive-Spokesperson-SASS.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/SelfAppointed-Subversive-Spokesperson-SASS.html This article describes the behavior of individuals who have adopted the posture of duly appointed spokesperson for a unit or department. This individual has a need to express their anger by trying to take control away from the manager. It is in the best interest of the manager to know how to confront this kind of individual. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Sculpting-Your-Business-Focus.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Sculpting-Your-Business-Focus.html There comes a time when the individual employee has to recognize when their current skills are a barrier to becoming more employable. Most organizations recognize that it is the responsibility of the employee to further refine and develop a better set of business skills. This article establishes a framework for beginning that process. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Managing-the-Workload.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Managing-the-Workload.html There is a general understanding that when employees are downsized, the remaining survivors inherit their workload. The process increases the number of tasks by a factor of 3 and puts the employee in the unenviable position of being grateful for being overworked. This article provides insights on how employees can approach downsizing their workload into something that is manageable and contributes to remaining employable. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Protecting-your-ideas.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Protecting-your-ideas.html The business community elicits ideas from a variety of different sources and, very often, can't determine where an idea began. Employees are encouraged to share their ideas as a way of moving an organization forward, but may not receive the appropriate credit and, thus, deflate any attempt to create an idea-engaging environment. This article talks about some basic ways to preserve the credit for a good idea. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Change-in-Mindset.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Change-in-Mindset.html The economic downturn has created a sense of disillusionment and frustration among thousands who find themselves standing on the outside of the employment gate. The key to change is not to sit and wait, but to take affirmative steps forward by, first, examining how you think and what you do. The key to success starts with reformatting your mindset to focus on what you can still accomplish. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Wake-up-and-move-up.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Wake-up-and-move-up.html This article addresses the increasing competitive nature of 21st century promotions and advancements. There is a growing need to be more attentive to the full-throttle speed in which organizations are moving just to stay even. What worked last century will only get you derailed in this century. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Bad-habits-in-organizational-culture.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Bad-habits-in-organizational-culture.html This article focuses on the misperceptions that occur when what masks as organizational behavior is, in actuality, bad habits. When bad habits are consistently ignored, an environment of tolerance gives way to the notion that, 'it's just the way we do things around here." http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Leadership-Lessons-Heard.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Leadership-Lessons-Heard.html Leadership lessons are abundant in both literature and life! The prevailing wisdom is to maximize the lessons that come from life experiences by turning them into a never-ending learning process. However, too often it is the lessons heard that serve as the practical learning model, thereby minimizing what gets practiced in successful organizations. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Leadership-that-sustains-engagement.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Leadership-that-sustains-engagement.html Leaders can have a powerful direct and indirect impact on the behavior of their followers. The delicate balance of style and personality is essential to understanding how to keep followers engaged in the act of doing and making a difference. Committed leaders understand that it is the ability to sustain the engagement of followers over a extended period of time that makes all the difference in the long-term success of an organization. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Ideas-are-still-needed.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Consulting/977/Ideas-are-still-needed.html Business success is, essentially, the product of ideas put into practice. Ideas are, always, at the forefront of new trends and patterns that reshape, reform and revitalize the heart of business and grows it to new heights. The role of a good leader is not to have all the good ideas, but to have access to the best ideas that flow from an engaged workforce. Ideas continue to make a difference in the start up of new business and will continue to be the catalyst for moving a small business toward success.