Business Skills Workshop – August 6th – Free
Your business is cooking on gas. You have your business plan and everything is running according to it, recession or no recession……Right?
On the last Thursday of each month Our Coach and Mentor runs a free workshop in Central London to help push businesses through their next brick wall (For most this is the recession, but not for all) and accelerate growth.
Here is a video from the last session
What does it look like?
A free monthly program to learn, share and build a community of likeminded businesses.
When and where?
Adam St (Central London) on Thursday 6th August.
1430-1600.
You must RSVP via phone, email or Meetup.com. Limited to 20 spaces
Who is running it?
Les Hercules Kalas, our Business Coach for the past 4 years. He is a founding partner at Shirlaws. They turn over $18m, have an international footprint and work with all types and size of business.
Why are we doing this?
Les, who is used to working with O2, Sony and other large corporates also loves working with Startups, businesses stuck at a growth stage (like us) or those looking for ways to innovate through the downturn (also us). I am there as an example, to learn, reinforce the frameworks in my business and support friends, colleagues and clients with material I have found to be extremely powerful. It is also a great opportunity to network & build relationships within a community of likeminded people.
How much will it cost?
These ‘Tasters’ are free. There are also Master Classes in specific subjects and 1 to 1 options geared for smaller businesses, all of which consider ‘Credit Crunched’ budgets.
Who should come
Owners/Managers of smaller businesses (1-100) who want to learn, grow, share, collaborate and ultimately thrive through the recession and on.
Expectations
You will learn useful concepts within one session that you can take back, discuss with the team and perhaps implement. Each ‘Taster’ session is different so you can come to more than 1 if you find it’s for you.
I appreciate that business coaching can be a dirty word to some, misunderstood by many and it is not a magic bullet. Personally I have struggled with it in the past, the people and delivery methods.
However, come and see what YOU think….
What previous attendees have said:
“They say you can’t bottle inspiration. But it does seem that an afternoon spent with Les and Dan uncorks the ideas and enthusiasm to take a business over its next hurdle. Les asks the right questions, builds confidence and provides key strategic guidance. For a small business every hour is precious. The time spent in last Thursday’s coaching was an excellent investment in my business’s future.” - Lucy George, Wordville Limited
“Les was impressive and clearly knows his stuff (very different from the last coach I worked with). The purpose of my visit was to assess if I want to work with Shirlaws. I came away wanting to take it to the next stage.” - Stu MacArthur, Green Oak Living
“Great to have an opportunity to discuss issues in an open environment. I think the venue worked brilliantly for post event networking which was very valuable for me. This demonstrates that Dan has a great network. Thank you” – Alyson Pellowe, People Vision HR
“Thought provoking & challenging” – Catherine Bayfield, Shout! Communications
”The ‘Taster’ session was an effective introduction to business coaching which I was sceptical of. While aware of my own business and personal situation, these free ‘taster’ coaching sessions could prove a catalyst for change, encouraging a commitment to action and the development of lasting growth.” - Victoria Millar, Hy Smith & Assoc
“Stimulating. Great to take a step back and re-think” - Ian Sime, Sime Design
“Simple, concise and very effective” - Geoff Sewell, Incognito Artists
“Powerful frameworks, thank you so much for sharing” - Paul Shafer, Sony Distribution
Dan
Call or email me to RSVP. Or Sign up here (Other events, workshops and parties here too). Space is limited to 20 people
08456 447758
A review of our Business Skills Workshops
On Thursday 25th June 09 we held our 5th Business Skills Workshop Taster delivered by our Coach and Mentor Les Hercules Kalas from Shirlaws.
The objective is to share our coaching time with a community of likeminded people & learn how to apply powerful frameworks within our respective businesses to accelerate growth, focus and energise activity. (Why are we doing this here)
In this session we had 18 owner/managers ranging from small boutique businesses to higher end SME’s turning over £6m+
Feedback was exceptionally positive so don’t miss out on the next one!
August 6th 1430-1600 in Adam St - There is no charge for these events (Call or email me for details and to RSVP)
What attendees had to say:
“Many thanks for hosting last Thursday – very informative, excellent event and I truly can’t think of anything constructive to say other than that because you really have got the formula right in my opinion, even down to venue! I look forward to the next one.” - Lucy Becker – Partner, Lawrence Stephens Solicitors
“They say you can’t bottle inspiration. But it does seem that an afternoon spent with Les and Dan uncorks the ideas and enthusiasm to take a business over its next hurdle. Les asks the right questions, builds confidence and provides key strategic guidance. For a small business every hour is precious. The time spent in last Thursday’s coaching was an excellent investment in my business’s future.” - Lucy George, Wordville Limited
“Les was impressive and clearly knows his stuff (very different from the last coach I worked with). The purpose of my visit was to assess if I want to work with Shirlaws. I came away wanting to take it to the next stage.” - Stu MacArthur, Green Oak Living
“Great to have an opportunity to discuss issues in an open environment. I think the venue worked brilliantly for post event networking which was very valuable for me. This demonstrates that Dan has a great network. Thank you” – Alyson Pellowe, People Vision HR
“Thought provoking & challenging” – Catherine Bayfield, Shout! Communications
”The ‘Taster’ session was an effective introduction to business coaching which I was sceptical of. While aware of my own business and personal situation, these free ‘taster’ coaching sessions could prove a catalyst for change, encouraging a commitment to action and the development of lasting growth.” - Victoria Millar, Hy Smith & Assoc
08456 447758
Microsoft Excel 2007 – Data Analysis Training
* Friday July 31st
* At Our Offices
* 1530-1730
* £45
* 6 Spaces only
* Bring your laptop with Office 2007 installed (Rentals available with 48 hours notice) and a fresh brain
Course overview
The aim of this module is to enable you to create, manage and analyse lists of data, allowing you to quickly sort, filter, total, and publish the data contained in the list.
At the end of the module, you will be able to:
• Create data lists in keeping with Excel layout guidelines to analyse and manage data effectively
• Design a data form to input and navigate data, using time-saving features for input and retrieval
• Arrange data alphabetically and numerically, from left to right, and by colour, using sort options on the ribbon to display data in desired order
• Choose simple criteria using top 10 and other filter options to present data meeting specific conditions
• Arrange data lists with hidden rows/columns and grouped, to display detailed or summarized results
• Use subtotals with automated outlining and grouping, to investigate the most effective method of presenting data lists
Who should attend
You know Excel basics, are using or upgrading to Excel 2007 and need to analyse relevant data more effectively
Who is running the course?
We are extremely pleased to have Anne Harkness from Alpha Training. Anne is Trainer to the Stars! From top editors at Vogue to the BBC, where clients included former BBC One Controller Peter Salmon and comedienne/presenter Ruby Wax. Get the benefit of her hands-on approach and more than 20 years experience.
Call Dan on 08456 447758 or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk to book
PowerPoint 2007 'Special Effects with Images' Master Class
* Friday July 31st
* At Our Offices
* 1230-1430
* £45
* 6 Spaces only
* Bring your laptop with Office 2007 installed (Rentals available with 48hrs notice) and a fresh brain
At the end of the module, you will be able to:
* Create SmartArt Graphics such as cycle diagrams, organization charts, venn diagrams and pyramids, to visually communicate data
* Adding shapes such as rectangles, circles, lines, arrows, callouts to enhance your presentation
* Inserting pictures and Clip Art to illustrate specific ideas in your presentation
* Apply animations to objects by giving them sound or visual effects to focus on important points, control the flow of information, and increase interest
Who should attend?
You’ve used PowerPoint before (Any version but are/will use PPT 2007) and need some top tips to make killer presentations
Who is running the course?
We are extremely pleased to have Anne Harkness from Alpha Training. Anne is Trainer to the Stars! From top editors at Vogue to the BBC, where clients included former BBC One Controller Peter Salmon and comedienne/presenter Ruby Wax. Get the benefit of her hands-on approach and more than 20 years experience.
Call Dan on 08456 447758 or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk to book
Outlook 2007 – Manage email Overload
* Friday July 31st
* At Our Offices
* 930-1130
* £45
* 6 Spaces only
* Bring your laptop with Office 2007 installed (Rentals available with 48hrs notice) and a fresh brain
At the end of the module, you will be able to:
* Send e-mails using delivery, tracking and voting options to investigate the most effective methods of ensuring quick response
* Apply defaults for message handling, tracking and replies to provide efficient mailbox management
* Use stationery and Vcards to create messages saving time in formatting and adding standard information
* Create folders to manage your mailbox items, deleting/coping where necessary ensuring they are easily located and retrieved
* Search for mailbox items selecting options from the find feature providing a time saving method for locating saved items
* Organise folders by colour coding received messages using different views to display
Who should attend
New Outlook 2007 users or those looking to upgrade
Who is running the course?
We are extremely pleased to have Anne Harkness from Alpha Training. Anne is Trainer to the Stars! From top editors at Vogue to the BBC, where clients included former BBC One Controller Peter Salmon and comedienne/presenter Ruby Wax. Get the benefit of her hands-on approach and more than 20 years experience.
email dan@theengineroom.co.uk or call 08456 447758 to book
PS If you need to upgrade your MS Office software, just ask us how
Barbados – A Business Destination
Early July 2009 we were treated to a once in a lifetime experience courtesy of Duncan from The Supper Club & Petra from The Barbados Tourism Authority (With, truth be told, a little connection power from Richard O’Connor).
8 London based entrepreneurs were jetted off to Barbados to experience the country Bajan style. Petra’s brief was to show us a good time while experiencing Barbados as a business destination.
We are all in broad agreement that the retreat didnt quite live up to expectations……… It massively exceeded them by sandy sun and fun filled miles. Wow, what an experience.
Ok, I get what you’re thinking. How could you not enjoy Barbados?! Well that’s true but allow me to explain further.
Firstly, as a pure tourist destination Barbados has so many things going for it. Only 8 hours from the UK. You’d think further, and consider, that’s nearly New York flying time yet you’re in the Caribbean. Year round great weather even in rainy season (When we went). Liquid sunshine as they call it, normally only lasting a few hours. Friendly people who speak English (Great for us lazy brits), white sandy beaches, great transport (The mental Reggae bus is cheap and fun) with decent road networks and 
regular flights.
So much to do if you do want to get active; we swam with Turtles, zip wired through the jungle, Jeep Safari’d and eat and drank all over the 160 sq mile island. You can do that on the cheap OR somewhere like The Cliff, where we sat next to Rio Ferdinand and his WAG.
PS There are some great deals to be had while money is tight so take advantage now and see what you think.
Secondly as a Business destination. I can see two obvious ways to use Barbados; as a retreat and as a tax efficient place to set up a new business. I won’t go into detail but expect to pay around 2% corporation tax, and that’s pretty much it.
Businesses like DHL, a bunch of Canadian banks & ICT multinationals make up some of the business community. The locals are well edcuated English speakers and the banking system is ranked as the 3rd most stable in the Western Hemisphere. With a 5hr time difference your UK working days stops at around lunch time (Perfect for hitting the beach after a hard day in the office) and you’re also in the same time zone as Miami and New York.
Now, to set up a branch in Barbados. We will find a way……
#BarbadosRetreat
Capability – A Business Skills Master Class
There were four take away food shops in a small town. When the last recession hit, two of them went out of business. The two that survived are still thriving.
There are five organic growth opportunities during a downturn. It goes without saying that finding time to develop these in your business is vital.
As we come out of this recession with a fresh innovative product range, sold into new channels to market, the business will need different levels of infrastructure and different skill levels. This is how we define capability. Fast moving succesful businesses depend on it to come out of a downturn.
Join us for the first Master Class in a series of 5 titled ‘Capability’. Delivered by Les Kalas, our Coach and Mentor & Co-Founder of Shirlaws
Learn how to apply a powerful & simple business framework (Capability Matrix) to measure the capability in your business. Think of it as a business MOT. You will also learn more how the commercial decisions you make affect the culture in your business and vice versa.
* Tuesday July 14th
* 930-1230
* @ The Engine Room
* 6 Spaces Only (4 left at press)
* £295+VAT
Just call Dan on 08456 447758 or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk
This next 4 Master Classes will cover Innovation (Product & Packaging), Distribution (Channels), Functionality (Skills) & Succession Planning (Light at the end of the tunnel!)