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

dan@theengineroom.co.uk

08456 447758

Les is our Coach/Mentor and friend of the business. He helps us with strategy (As Coach), acts as a third party advisor (As Mentor) and generally helps keep our ’stuff’ together (As friend!).

 A mini Biog for those who don’t know him:

Career Background

July 1999 – Present:  Shirlaws/Navitas

Navitas Equity Partner and Shirlaws Founding Partner – Navitas is a Private Investment Group which develops and distributes it’s unique and simple intellectual property internationally with the purpose of creating change in both commercial and cultural terms through scaleable business opportunities.

Shirlaws is an international business coaching firm founded in Australia in July 1999.  Shirlaws has operations in UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Middle East.

Current Operational Role: COO – Shirlaws Coaching Ltd (International Coaching Operations)

Previous Roles:

July 1999:  Founding Partners Shirlaws
July 99 – July 05:  Shirlaws Australia – Partner, Board
Aug 05 – Oct 07 Global secondment to Shirlaws UK Ltd – Operations, Board
Nov 07 to Present  Shirlaws Coaching Limited – COO

Visit: www.shirlawscoaching.com ; www.shirlawsonline.com ; www.navitasip.com

July 1994 – December 1999: Total Care Planning Pty Limited, Australia (AXA)

Founder/Director

Total Care Planning Pty Limited was a privately owned boutique financial planning company operating under Licence to AXA.

Key areas of responsibility:
• Key Advisor of the Practice
• Sales, marketing and business development 

September 1982 – July 1994: GE Capital Finance, Australia

Various senior management positions within the Australian Consumer Finance Division

Key Areas of Responsibility:
• Project Management
• General Management
• HR – recruitment, training and development
• Sales and Marketing
• Accounting and Finance

August 1980 – August 1990: Australian Karate Federation

• National Secretary (1980 – 1990)
• Represented Australia in National Team in Asia Pacific Titles (1983)
• Organizing Committee hosting World Karate Championships in Sydney in 1986 (54 countries)
• Organizing Committee hosting Asia Pacific Karate Championship in 1992 (14 countries)

Key areas of Responsibility:

• Design and implement Legal Constitution for Unincorporated Association
• Government Funding and Representation to Australian Sport Commission
• National Administration, Accounting and Finance, IT, systems (infrastructure)
• Represent Australia as delegate at World Congress and Asia Pacific Region
• Host World championships and Asia Pacific Championships in Australia

Education

1998 Diploma of Financial Planning Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
1982   Bachelor of Economics  Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
1977 Higher School Certificate Westfield High school, Sydney, Australia

Date of Birth: 31st March, 1959
Nationality: Australian
Residence: London, UK
Marital Status: Married, 2 children
Sport/Hobbies: Karate, skiing, walking, swimming. Traveling
Languages: English, Greek