Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Flexible-Working--Brave-companies.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Flexible-Working--Brave-companies.html When is the right time to introduce Flexible working - many companies have different views. - this is just mine. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4831/Four-Types-of-Highly-Effective-Business-Plans.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4831/Four-Types-of-Highly-Effective-Business-Plans.html Business plans are not just for start-ups raising capital. Writing a business plan-- or more accurately, the process of strategic planning, using the business plan as a framework-- has many applications for both early stage companies just starting out, as well as for mature firms who are seeking to grow, improve, or diversify their businesses. In this article, we talk about four powerful types of business plans: the Feasibility Plan, Operating Plan, Expansion Plan, and Joint Venture Plan, and we delve into the key characteristics and uses of each. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4831/Is-Your-Startup-Company-Truly-Ready-for-Business-Development.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4831/Is-Your-Startup-Company-Truly-Ready-for-Business-Development.html Business development-- defined as strategic partnerships, sales channel and reseller relationships, and other joint marketing and sales efforts-- can be an excellent way for start-ups and other small companies to grow their business faster and more efficiently. However, along with the benefits of doing a business development deal come many changes and trade-offs. In this article, we look at two key criteria for business development success: we argue that start-ups must be both 'operationally' and 'organizationally' capable of executing on a deal for the partnership to be a success. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4831/Positioning-Your-Company-For-The-Next-Big-Boom--Social-Media-Business-Plan-Network-Strategies.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4831/Positioning-Your-Company-For-The-Next-Big-Boom--Social-Media-Business-Plan-Network-Strategies.html Economic slowdowns are an ideal time to work on the fundamentals of your business-- including your business plan, your social media strategy, and your personal network-- in order to prepare your company for the next boom. Here are several tips to help you lay the foundation now so you will be poised for growth when the market recovers. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Benefits-to-Transport-and-the-Environment-of-Flexible-Working.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Benefits-to-Transport-and-the-Environment-of-Flexible-Working.html We have all been there, trying to get to work during rush hour. A journey that should only take 10-15 minutes under normal circumstances takes an hour or more due to the increasing traffic on roads. This means staff are often ‘stressed-out’ by the time they reach their workplace. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Why-is-smarter-working--smarter.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Why-is-smarter-working--smarter.html So what is so smart about smarter working? http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/The-People-Advantage-of-Being-High-Tech.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/The-People-Advantage-of-Being-High-Tech.html It is a strange anomaly that in this modern technological age, many firms remain firmly entrenched in traditional work practices, requiring employees to be present in an office environment where they are ‘visible’ at all times. It is this ‘mistrust’ that many employers hold regarding home-based workers ‘skiving’ if they cannot be seen that holds back many such companies. Such employers miss out on a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience by sticking to these traditions as more and more employees gravitate towards companies that do offer a more beneficial work-life balance. A company that takes advantage of todays technology opens up a whole new avenue of opportunity http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Trust-in-a-Modern-Workforce.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Trust-in-a-Modern-Workforce.html Trusting people to work from hom and trusting employers not to cut you out the loop when you work from home still seems to be an issue in the modern workforce - crazy? http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Traffic-Problems-solved-by-Flexible-working.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Traffic-Problems-solved-by-Flexible-working.html We have all been there, trying to get to work during rush hour. A journey that should only take 10-15 minutes under normal circumstances takes an hour or more due to the increasing traffic on roads. This means staff are often ‘stressed-out’ by the time they reach their workplace. Thanks to Simon Thurlow for help with this article. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Empowering-Women-In-The-Workforce.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Venture-Capital/4325/Empowering-Women-In-The-Workforce.html A recent report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has highlighted how under-represented women are in positions of power. The report found that women hold just 11% of all FTSE100 directorships and only 19.3% of positions in Parliament.