Martha Carnahan | Brilliant Visions, LLC

“You’re Grounded.” (Thank You!)

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

“You’re grounded!” These words have been uttered by many a parent as punishment for mischief-making teenagers. “Grounding,” in this sense, means you are taking the kid out of the action and putting her on the sidelines for a bit. One mom I know said that grounding doesn’t work as a deterrent for her son because he likes it. No iPhone,…

Wallow in the Mystery

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

I’m noticing the whir of creativity in the air these days. Another year is winding down, and thoughts of a new year are wafting in. A fresh new year feels like a reboot, an opportunity for new ways, new thinking, new possibilities. As 2015 peeks over the horizon, I encourage you to call upon the mystery of creativity. Business owners often…

Writing with Impact: Mind Your WEs & YOUs

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

The trick to writing riveting and persuasive marketing copy is simply this: Know – and I mean really know, your audience – and get over there into their shoes and talk with them, not at them. This age-old marketing truism makes a lot of sense and it works. And yet, I encounter so many blogs, websites, brochures, letters and other…

5 Reasons You Should Blame “Them”

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

They made this mess. It’s their fault. If it weren’t for them… Oh, there are so many ways to invoke blame! Here’s the raw truth about blame: In the heat of the moment, it seems easy and natural to lay blame on others. But operating from a stance of blame is more harmful to yourself than it is to the entity or person…

How to Become the Subject of Pleasant Dinner Conversation

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

Sorry to break this to you, but the people you work with — your staff, your vendors, your colleagues… your clients — they are talking about you after work with their family members and friends. It’s just one of those facts of life. You know how that conversation goes: “How was your day today, honey?” asks your colleague’s spouse….

Bring Your True Self to Work. Please.

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

One of the best parts of entrepreneurship is that you can design your business to your desired specifications. Right? And yet. So many small business owners are fried and burned out because they have become ensnared in their own cruel work habits. One of the cruelest habits is when you believe you have to separate your True Self from your so-called…

Gut Check: Are You a Compassionate CEO?

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

There have been quite a few studies in recent years conveying that a number of business leaders, entrepreneurs and politicians (ummm, no surprise!) have a propensity toward sociopathic traits. The hallmark qualities of a sociopath include: lack of empathy, an insincere charm, and great skill in manipulating others. We’ve all seen that boss, I’m sure. And I would bet that…

Get Clear about Your Core Marketing Message

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

Many entrepreneurs ask me, “How do I get started? Where do I begin with marketing?” Business owners may spend a great deal of time and money on logos, websites, mailers and other tangible items, only to regretfully discover later that they somehow missed the mark. And many have jumped onto the social media bandwagon because… it just seems like the…

2 Simple Rules to Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

Pop quiz: considering all the marketing tools available – ezines, article marketing, advertising, blogging, telemarketing, public relations, video, public speaking, social media, tradeshows, networking groups, etc. – how do you decide which are right for your business? Option A: Strategically, based on my business goals and other key factors. Option B: Dabble here, dabble there, do whatever the loudest marketing…

Are You Working Hard? Or Working Cruel?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Martha Carnahan | 3 Comments

Hard work can be awesome. I love pushing myself beyond my perceived limits and achieving more than I thought possible – whether in a business or physical pursuit. And the notion of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is inspiring. But somehow, our achievement-oriented culture has skewed the definition of work. Collectively, we’ve taken a healthy, enlivening part of life…