michaelcarvell

[michaelcarvell]

Advanced Entertainment Law Mastery Journal

This month I’m completing Advanced Entertainment Law. In this course, we covered a wide wrong of subject matters that we should have spent more time on. In this instance, I feel that a month-long span wasn’t enough to really explore the subject, but this is a subject best handled by a professional to protect my company from lawsuits.

The topics we covered that will have an immediate impact on the operation of my business dealings are trademark protection, safeguarding trade secrets, and the Dram Shop Acts (legal liability).

The length of time (10 years) that a trademark is eligible for protection was something that I didn’t know. I’ve gone through the trademark website to protect the mark of a group I was managing. So I’ve used the United States Patent and Trademark Office website search tool (TESS) and there was no one using the group’s name, so we moved forward with the application process. But knowing how long that a mark will be protected justifies the cost of protecting my company’s logo.

I understood non-compete agreements and nondisclosure agreements, but I didn’t know about the full scope of documents and ways to protect my company’s trade secrets. Limiting access to those trade secrets by using password protection on computers or a combination safe for other things can protect something, but using agreements such as non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and exit agreements can aid in the protection of my company’s trade secrets.

My company plans on hosting events in the social realm and can potentially serve alcohol at those events. The Dram Shop Acts (Rule) is “a statute (Dram Shop Act) or case law in 38 states which makes a business which sells alcoholic drinks or a host who serves liquor to a drinker who is obviously intoxicated or close to it, strictly liable to anyone injured by the drunken patron or guest”. This is a liability that I had no idea about as a business owner. I’ve hosted several events that have served alcohol in a non-alcohol license situation and consider myself to be blessed that all of my patrons made it home safely.

These are just a few of the topics that will have an immediate impact on my company. 

Legal Dictionary - Law.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2016, from           http://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=584

[michaelcarvell]

Product and Artist Management Mastery Journal

This month Product and Artist Management was a challenge but was a complete eye opener for my future endeavors. My personal goal is to reach mogul status and this course has positioned me to do just that.

In past history, I had been spinning my wheels as a businessman trying to reach. Several assignments in Product and Artist Management have put a light on several things that my label All Out Entertainment had been doing wrong. We have attempted to use data gathered from social media sites insight to successfully reach our fan base and monetize that information. Moving forward that data will be used to triangulate the fan base and focus directly on that data using direct marketing. Using that information in the correct manner will be more cost effective for all future releases.

Also releasing products in the correct way will increase conversions. Previously we weren’t able to get over the double-digit conversion threshold. Now with the knowledge gained from this one course I have a clear understanding of what was being done wrong.

On the artist management side of the course, I have also gained a wealth of knowledge. Knowing the correct way to approach my relationship with the artist I mentor and manage has previously been done without paperwork associated. That is a nice way to work for friends, but if all parties understand the business relationship we all can benefit and our careers will be elevated.

All of the information received will aid in me reaching my personal goal of reaching mogul status. I want to be able to pick up the phone and make things happen for any artist or entertainer that I feel needs to be heard. To be able to make things happen for others is what makes me feel accomplished. To see an artist hit the stage and perform something that we have both worked on is a high that I wish can continue forever. If I reach my goal it can.

[michaelcarvell]

Negotiation and Deal Making Mastery Journal

This month I will be completing my 7th course in the Entertainment Business Masters Program at Full Sail University. Every course builds on the previous, but my current course Negotiation and Deal-Making could not have come at a better time.

I’m a Defense Contractor for the Air Force in the Middle East and the company I work for lost the bid for the new contract. Putting my coworkers and I in the negotiation process for the positions that we currently occupy. The tactics used by the proceeding company are definitely dirty.

The positions title and description minimized our duties but since we are incumbents we understand the duties and standards that the Air Force require. Putting us in a position of power in the negotiation process. If the job can’t be performed there are contractual provisions allowing deductions or fines to be enforced. An initial offer was sent via email with a salary attached, which attempted to get us to just go ahead and sign on. I immediately began researching salaries in similar stateside positions because the salary was far too low and didn’t include any hazardous duty uplift. The salary offered was comparable to an entry-level position in the Logistics Field. Didn’t deduct taxes and didn’t include family health care (which I would have to go out and purchase on my own from the salary paid). I have 16 years experience and have been the Manager for my particular operation for several months. I know what I’m worth and this isn’t it.

After meeting with the onsite recruiter (that I had to hunt down) to get more information, I decided to move on. I received an email requesting personal information as if I was going to sign on. I prepared a counter offer to attempt to minimize the back and forth because I’m basically out there door at this point. This was my final attempt to provide my service but I’m content with my decision. This course provided all of the tools needed to calmly go through this process. 

[michaelcarvell]

Entertainment Business Finance Mastery Blog Post.

This month I’m completing Entertainment Business Finance. I always considered myself to be above average with math, so I obviously thought I would cruise through this month. I was mistaken, the class leaned more towards accounting. Which isn’t like normal math, at all. I learned that every business should hire an accountant; I know that my business will have one.

Seriously some of the things that I have learned that will come in handy in the near future are Opportunity Costs, Break-Even point, financial forecasting using a Pro-Forma and the Time Value of Money. Opportunity cost is “the highest value surrendered when a decision is made. If you give up a $30,000-a-year job to attend school full-time, the opportunity cost was $30,000”. The use of formulas to find the break-even point will help anyone that can’t really visualize at what point you will begin to make a profit. Using a Pro-Forma will aid not just my company but I understand the books much better. I have worked the numbers in my head but to be able to see where the dollars are going and to know exactly what is coming in will aid in making wise business decisions for a profitable future. Time Value of Money will aid in knowing the value of a dollar in the future or what that dollar is worth now will aid in the choice of what to invest in.

I enjoy a challenge, and Entertainment Business Finance is definitely a challenge. I appreciate the opportunity and the things that I have learned from my instructor Christopher Woodard and my classmates. But I still feel that finance is one hat that will be worn by a professional. If you are reading this please recommend an outstanding account that knows a little bit of magic.

Marks, P. M.  Entrepreneurial Finance,  5th Edition [VitalSource Bookshelf version].  Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/0558586058

[michaelcarvell]

Business Storytelling & Brand Development Mastery Blog Post

This month I have completedBusiness Storytelling & Brand Development. It was definitely interesting and it pushed me to do something that I had been procrastinating on, developing my personal brand. Prior to the course, I only got as far as creating a logo. The course made me research on the subject of personal branding and brainstorm to create options that would stand up in the marketplace.

I also created a Digital Leadership Portfolio, which was much needed because, I have always thought, selling myself was selling my talent or selling my business. I have a web portfolio for design and a business website, but not one promoting “The Brand of Me”.

My brand’s home will be www.MichaelCarvell.com the domain is already purchased. I’m debating on leaving Wix.com because the content management system doesn’t allow me to do the cool things; since my site is more informational the purpose is being met.

The highlight of the site is the letters of endorsements and leadership experience. I have letters of endorsements from colleagues that I have always looked up to, in education and the music industry and they understand my drive to reach mogul status and they have aided me in reaching that in the city of Little Rock. They also know that I want to help others in reaching the level of success that they dream of.

I also get to display my leadership experience, which is a great selling point for anyone in the music industry. I pride myself on being a leader and developing others. The site will be the proof in the pudding and will increase my client base and help me break into other markets.

The course overall was challenging at times but I endured and was rewarded with a brand strategy for Michael “Turnpike” Carvell. My personal goals are slowly being meet. Continue to follow me on this journey as I reach for the stars.

[michaelcarvell]

Leadership Mastery Journal Post

I’ve gone through a lot of things that have affected me, not only as a leader but also as a human being. I’m married with a son, have been a college instructor for some years, I’m the CEO of a promising independent record label and I’m a civilian contractor (in a leadership position) in the middle east; making a sacrifice for my country, family and to raise capital for my business endeavors.

I feel that I have a 95% Maxwell leadership style and a 5% Greene leadership style. The main factor that determines this is the fact that I genuinely care for people. I have a magnetic personality, so I am aware that I influence people all of the time. So as a leader I make sure I’m cognoscente of their feelings and needs.

In John C. Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You” he speaks of Five Levels of Leadership; Position, Permission, Production, People Development and Personhood. As an instructor and business owner, I feel that I am on Level 4: People Development. On this level “People follow because of what you have done for them”. As a music business instructor, I have met so of the hungriest young artist, promoters, managers and future CEO’s, many of which I still mentor to this day. Some have taken on leadership roles and still value and seek my advice. As the CEO of an independent record label (www.AllOutEntOnline.com shameless plug) I have helped consult, develop and advise some of the brightest stars of tomorrow. Together my team has released some great music and built some promising brands.

What I have built wasn’t easy, it has been an uphill journey filled with obstacles. This is where the 5% Greene leadership style kicks in. My bachelor’s degree is in Digital Arts and Design, with the skills developed there I have learned that you can make people believe in your product if it looks the part. With the music that my label was putting out we didn’t necessarily have the budget but we had a professional sound and professional packaging so, “Law 37 - Create Compelling Spectacles” and “Law 28 – Enter Action with Boldness” of Robert Greene’s “48 Laws of Power” were definitely tools we had to use to make fans buy into what we had going.

As a civilian contractor, I am on the “Position Level” of Five Levels of Leadership. On this level “People follow because they have to. I have been the Supply Manager for about 2 months and most of that I have been on vacation. I’m still in the process of establishing trust. Once that is in place I will begin to see changes in the personnel.

In the future, I plan on becoming an, even more, dynamic and resourceful leader using the principles that I have learned in Executive Leadership.

References: Maxwell, J. C. (1993). Developing the leader within you. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

Greene, R. (1998). The 48 Laws of Power. New York, NY: Penguin Books 

[michaelcarvell]

She should've helped me with my assignment.

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[michaelcarvell]

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Michael “Turnpike” Carvell As a Leader

My leadership style is to choose to invest in people. I’m definitely a John C. Maxwell style leader. I’m a college instructor I am a mentor outside of the classroom to a majority of my students. The students that have graduated from the Music Business program are working in a variety of different industries. They contact me all of the time seeking advice and just to have someone with similar experiences and a professional insight to discuss issues with. This has been the most fulfilling period in my career. I have students that work as Recording Engineers, Event Planners, Live Sound Engineers and Church Musicians.

The Maxwell style of leadership fits my personality because I follow business ethics. Most of the upper echelon in the music industry would be considered to be ruthless businessmen and women. Having this type of personality can be considered a weakness. Besides being a college instructor, I am prominent member of the industry in the Central Arkansas area. My network has the utmost respect for what I do. The way I treat my client base on top of the service that I provide has made me a sight after producer and recording engineer. My knowledge of the business has made me a great music business consultant.

The leaders that I have had in the past were not Greene style leaders and were successful in their own way. So it is only right that the traits they the displayed have rubbed off on me. But there is an importance in the music industry to understand the Robert Greene, “48 Laws of Power” style. It is very easy to create envy or enemies in the music industry. So knowing this style can give you an understanding of the tactics that may be used to minimize your status or bring an end to your brand.

[michaelcarvell]

Artwork done by me for Mista Mayhemm aka Daddy Rooster

[michaelcarvell]

Project and Team Management

Project and Team Management was an awesome experience. Conflict resolution from the project manager’s point of view will be a permanent fixture in all of my projects. I had some reservations about the brainstorming exercise. The reservations were not in a lack of confidence in my classmates; it was in brainstorming in an online format. It was a big success; I’ve always done this in a room with all parties participating. I have already implemented this in two of my personal projects via email. This course has aided in my personal and professional development in a major way. It’s sad to say this class wasn’t one of the classes I was looking forward to in relation to goals for my career. But it will definitely be one of the top courses in the program to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[michaelcarvell]

My last 3 months

[michaelcarvell]

#CosbySweater #ProTools #StudioVet (at Unified Studios)

[michaelcarvell]

#StudioFlow #Ozarka @vinoparrish #Session