Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/Trumpets-Spittoons-and-Differentiation.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/Trumpets-Spittoons-and-Differentiation.html In today's highly competitive environment, whatever goods and/or services we are offering can easily be confused with commodities. For most goods and services available anywhere the similarities are such that prospective customers/clients toss everything together and, in lieu of clear differentiation, make buying decisions on price or familiarity. This can make things especially difficult for the small operator or for the new entrant to any field. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/3-Pointers-to-Recruiting-and-Retaining-Good-Staff.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/3-Pointers-to-Recruiting-and-Retaining-Good-Staff.html One of the most costly things for any organisation is replacing good staff. Its often ignored but, in fact, the cost of replacing staff is usually at least 500 times the hourly rate paid - and a lot higher for senior people. When you lose good staff you can be throwing away a large investment. Usually when you lose good staff the reason is that there has been a failure in management. This article provides an illustration of losing a good employee then provides some pointers for recruiting and retaining good staff. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/4-Aspects-of-Business-Growth.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/4-Aspects-of-Business-Growth.html Sustainable business growth is a "what keeps me awake at night" issue for many entrepreneurs and owners/managers of small to medium sized businesses. This article provides some guidelines for working through this issue successfully. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/3-Warning-Signs-For-Leaders.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/3-Warning-Signs-For-Leaders.html Organisational failure doesn't "suddenly occur" - there are always indicators available for the organisation's leaders. Unfortunately some leaders either don't know what signs to look out for or, unfortunately too frequently, ignore the signs when they do see them http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/4-Signs-of-a-Successful-Leader.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/4-Signs-of-a-Successful-Leader.html In the USA, Republican Party campaigning for the next Presidential Election is well under way; in Australia we have constant reminders that some people want Federal Elections to be held now and, in Queensland we have a State Election imminent. What is common to all these is that whoever gets the top job in any of them will then be referred to as a “leader”. What is also common to all of them is that whoever holds the top job now is also referred to as “a leader” but one who, according to pretenders to the throne, is seriously flawed. It begs the question “How can we recognize successful leaders?” http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/6-Signs-That-You-Might-Be-A-Leader.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/6-Signs-That-You-Might-Be-A-Leader.html With the US Presidential Election season obviously underway – even in Australia we are regaled with the search for a republican candidate - the recent leadership issues in the Australian government and the incipient leadership issues arising in the Australian opposition, it is clear that the question of “Who is a leader?” needs to be addressed. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/3-Steps-to-Being-a-More-Effective-Boss.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/3-Steps-to-Being-a-More-Effective-Boss.html One of the loneliest places in the world is at the top of an organisation. No matter where you are or with whom you are interacting, there is a sense in which you are seen as the epitome of your organisation. This places a pressure upon you that is different from any other. Sometimes this pressure has the effect of reducing your effectiveness and, in the worst case, can lead to poor management and leadership practices. This article considers the issue of "top management loneliness" and suggests a solution that is readily available no matter where you may be. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/7-Steps-To-Realising-Your-Potential.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/7-Steps-To-Realising-Your-Potential.html Every one of us has untapped potential. There are limits to our physical growth but the potential within our minds is far greater than most of us ever imagine. No matter who you are or what you have experienced, you have potential to develop. Here are 7 steps that can help you realise your potential. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/9-Steps-to-Improve-Performance.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/9-Steps-to-Improve-Performance.html Sooner or later almost every leader faces the issue of a declining organisation. Things that once worked seem to be less effective and, invariably, the task of achieving desired performance becomes increasingly more difficult. Failure to satisfactorily address this issue leads to declining revenues and/or increased costs and/or reduced profits. Unless corrected this problem of a declining organisation can prove very career limiting for those involved. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/5-Areas-and-20-Questions-for-Improving-Organisational-Health.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Leadership/5178/5-Areas-and-20-Questions-for-Improving-Organisational-Health.html Just like individuals, there are very good reasons why every business should do regular health checks. While most medium to large businesses are aware of this and, in part, use frequent CEO briefings to do this, what happens in small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) can be a little like what happens with too many people – we know we should do it but never get around to it until a situation arises that cannot be ignored.