Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Preparing-to-attend-a-Trade-Show-or-Exhibition.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Preparing-to-attend-a-Trade-Show-or-Exhibition.html Attending a trade Show can be an expensive business. you have a short time in which to make maximum impact. This guide takes you through the core issues you must be aware of as you prepare for a show. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Do-you-need-a-Corporate-Social-Responsibility-CSR-Program.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Do-you-need-a-Corporate-Social-Responsibility-CSR-Program.html CSR is 'fashionable'. it appeals. however, too many organisations adopt CSR as a 'badge' to demonstrate their altruism, their environmental credentials. This article argues that CSR is a business issues - not a badge of honour; it we approach it right, CST can help our bottom line. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Employee-Empowerment.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Employee-Empowerment.html Empowerment has nothing to do with fatuous statements like “Our people are our greatest asset”. Almost all companies who say such things treat their employees badly, keeping them constrained and confined in rigid roles, supported by limiting job descriptions and masses of bureaucracy. Yet, empowerment is a relatively simple process (in theory, if not in practice). here is a simple 6 step guide. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/PokeYoke-prevents-errors.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/PokeYoke-prevents-errors.html Poka-yoke is a Japanese term for ‘fail-safing’ or ‘mistake-proofing’. adopting it means making sure that errors cannot occur ... or, if they do, are spotted quickly before they can cause further damage. It is a simple concept ... more an attitude of mind ... but it can make a big difference to the quality and reliability of what you do. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/How-to-Increase-Innovation--Creativity.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/How-to-Increase-Innovation--Creativity.html We all want to increase the levels of innovation in our organisations – don’t we? Well, it won't just happen. you have to make it happen. Here are some simple tips. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Handling-Layoffs.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Handling-Layoffs.html The economic times have been pretty harsh for many companies. Many of those have considered laying off some staff. Here are 8 top tips for handling layoffs and handling them well! http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Setting-Effective-Business-goals.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Setting-Effective-Business-goals.html All companies need to know whether they are 'on track' ... moving in the direction they intend to move in. This requires the business to understand this direction ... and the goals it has to meet to ensure it does indeed keep on track. Explains how to link goals to strategy ... and how to measure progress towards those goals and the ultimate strategic objectives. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Continuous-Improvement.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Continuous-Improvement.html Firstly, this article asks the question ... "Is Continuous Improvement possible?" With a slight caveat ,the answer is 'yes'. It then sets out how you can achieve continuous improvement - without adopting any of the commercial 'methodologies, without using expensive consultants. You will , of course, have to put in some effort ... mainly thought! But it is possible - for any busines. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Innovating-by-Breaking-the-Rules.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/Innovating-by-Breaking-the-Rules.html Innovators are rule breakers. We often see how new entrants to a market break the rules. The low cost airlines did this when they challenged the ways in which the major airlines did business. The new players used e-tickets, did away with allocated seating, bypassed travel agents, flew to new, smaller airports, etc. So, if you want to be innovative, you have to work out how to at least challenge the rules to if they can be effectively broken. How? Read on ... and find out. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/What-business-should-I-start.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Productivity/3310/What-business-should-I-start.html As we very slowly creep out of recession opportunities start to present themselves. The brave act now ... setting themselves up for a successful future before the competition gets its act together. But what business is going to work best?