On Thursday 29th October we are hosting a free Business Skills Workshop.

Peter Harford & Les Hercules Kalas from Navitas and Shirlaws Coaching will be getting our business brain juices going by running some exercises based around 3 of their 20 frameworks.

Want to know some background? Darren Shirlaw explains more about their unique IP here.

Here is a video from the last session (Run by Les)

I personally use this time to reflect on the basics in my business. Bit like reading a good business book. Massively useful thinking time.

Afterwards there is an opportunity to network, share knowledge and have a social.

When and where?

Adam St

Thursday 29th October

1430-1600

You must RSVP via phone (08456 447758), email or Meetup.com.

Limited to 16 spaces (It’s free but only RSVP if you CAN make it please)

Who is running it?

Peter Harford & Les Hercules Kalas . Both founding partners at Shirlaws. They turn over $18m, have an international footprint and work with all types and size of business.

Why are we doing this?

Shirlaws help businesses work smarter. They coach big corporates such as O2, Sony & Credit Suisse but also love 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 sessions are free.  There are Master Classes in specific subjects and 1 to 1 options geared for smaller businesses, all of which consider small biz budgets. I will blog about these as they come up.

Who should come

Owners/Managers of smaller businesses (1-100) who want to learn, grow, share, collaborate and thrive.

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

“I’ve been to two sessions with Les now, and each time I come out energised and full of new ideas that I actually can, and do, implement.  He helps simplify business planning, slicing it into manageable chunks and making it so clear what needs to be done, you wonder why you didn’t think of it before!   The best bit for me is that he pushes you to question your own limitations, facilitating fresh thinking that can only make for a better company.” - Jan Bates, Involve

“I’m looking forward to learning more about the Shirlaws frameworks and I’d strongly advise anyone in business that they would get value from the sessions you run. Perspective + frameworks = clarity” – Luke Williams, Social tech

“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

 PS An interesting article here from Shirlaws on the challenges in play for SME’s in the next 5 years http://www.shirlawsonline.com/downloads/sme-report.pdf

Dan

Call or email me to RSVP. Or Sign up here (Other events, workshops and parties here too)

08456 447758

dan@theengineroom.co.uk

  Innovation Master Class

* Tuesday October 20th

* 930-1230

* Here @ The Engine Room

* 6 Spaces Only

* What will you get?  Learn simple & elegant frameworks to innovate your product (or service), know when to introduce the ‘recession product’ and when to dump it in favour of the innovated growth product. Businesses that innovate their product during a downturn always do well during the next boom. 

Is the recession over? Who knows, but I would guess quantitative easing and bank bailouts have merely pushed the next dip into the next decade at the expense of public spending, interest rate hikes and inflation. So it’s time to get tooled up! For most of our customers there has been some respite from the doom and gloom at the beginning of the year. Cash is starting to flow again and outright panic seems to have subsided. A great time to remove the blinkers and learn some simple tools to manage your strategy.

To this end we are hosting a range of Business Master Classes we would like to share with you. There are 5 in total:

Innovation (Product & Packaging), Capability (Tooling up the team), Distribution (Channels to market), Functionality (Right people doing the right jobs) & Succession Planning (Light at the end of the tunnel!). All delivered by Peter Harford &  Les Kalas, our Coach and Mentor & Co-Founder of Shirlaws.

We normally charge  £295+VAT per session but pay what you think fair as we also want to build a strong community of likeminded people. SO, join in if it feels right & pay what you think it’s worth. Anything between £50 and £295 is fine and don’t be English about it! No judgement, no drama

Call Dan on 08456 447758 or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk to book in.

Feedback from previous sessions:

“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

“I’ve been to two sessions with Les now, and each time I come out energised and full of new ideas that I actually can, and do, implement.  He helps simplify business planning, slicing it into manageable chunks and making it so clear what needs to be done, you wonder why you didn’t think of it before!   The best bit for me is that he pushes you to question your own limitations, facilitating fresh thinking that can only make for a better company.” - Jan Bates, Involve

“I’m looking forward to learning more about the Shirlaws frameworks and I’d strongly advise anyone in business that they would get value from the sessions you run. Perspective + frameworks = clarity” – Luke Williams, Social tech

“Powerful frameworks, thank you so much for sharing” – Paul Shafer, Sony Distribution

On Thursday 24th September we are hosting a free business skills workshop.

Peter Harford from Navitas and Shirlaws Coaching will be running some exercises based around 3 of their 20 frameworks. Darren Shirlaw explains more about their unique IP here.

Here is a video from the last session (Run by Les Hercules Kalas from Shirlaws)

I personally use this time to reflect on the basics in my business. Massively useful thinking time. Afterwards there is an opportunity to network, share knowledge and have a social.

When and where?

Adam St

Thursday 24th September

1430-1600

You must RSVP via phone (08456 447758), email or Meetup.com.

Limited to 16 spaces (It’s free but only RSVP if you CAN make it)

Who is running it?

Peter Harford. 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?

Shirlaws help businesses work smarter. They coach big corporates such as O2, Sony & Credit Suisse but also love 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 sessions are free.  There are Master Classes in specific subjects and 1 to 1 options geared for smaller businesses, all of which consider ‘Credit Crunched’ budgets. I will blog about these as they come up.

Who should come

Owners/Managers of smaller businesses (1-100) who want to learn, grow, share, collaborate and thrive.

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

“I’ve been to two sessions with Les now, and each time I come out energised and full of new ideas that I actually can, and do, implement.  He helps simplify business planning, slicing it into manageable chunks and making it so clear what needs to be done, you wonder why you didn’t think of it before!   The best bit for me is that he pushes you to question your own limitations, facilitating fresh thinking that can only make for a better company.” - Jan Bates, Involve

“I’m looking forward to learning more about the Shirlaws frameworks and I’d strongly advise anyone in business that they would get value from the sessions you run. Perspective + frameworks = clarity” – Luke Williams, Social tech

“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

 PS An interesting article here from Shirlaws on the challenges in play for SME’s in the next 5 years http://www.shirlawsonline.com/downloads/sme-report.pdf

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

dan@theengineroom.co.uk

On the 6th August we have various brilliant speakers delivering as many Top Small Biz Tips as they can in 7 minutes each. (Video below from a similar event)

Pecha Kucha means chit chat in Japanese. It inspired a high octane speaker format for designers to share their ideas with 20 seconds per slide over 20 slides. We’ve twisted it to our own design and have premium speakers to share their knowledge. 

The Rules – Speakers have 7 mins and CANNOT SELL. They can ONLY TELL/SHARE/LOVE

Speakers include

Danvers Ballieu – Winston Strawn legal top tips

Tiffany StJames - Head of Digital Engagement (UK Gov)

Simon Bird – DotCommerce Tech Director shares recent online behavioural research 

Amanda Jones – Red Button, A Design House for Humanitarian and Aid Projects

Robert Fenton - Serial Entrepreneur starting Talent Expo. The biggest UK gathering of talent

Richard O’Connor - Serial Entrepreneur, ex Amber Green & We Ents talks sales and marketing

Keren Lerner – From Top Left Design shares website must do’s and dont’s

Victoria Atherston – From Urbanites and Scooters talks Dragons Den, Eco-Chic & Startups

Mark Jacobs – No nonsense Accountant talks money and how to keep it

When and Where

* Adam St (9 Adam St, Central London nr The Strand)

* 6th August

* 12-130pm with networking after in the bar

* 30 Spaces ONLY (50% full at T.O.P)

 You MUST RSVP via email or call me as below

 Video (45sec) of similar event so you can see the room and get a feeling for who we are if you don’t know us

Will be fun, energising & educational. Can’t wait!

Dan

08456 447758

dan@theengineroom.co.uk

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

dan@theengineroom.co.uk 

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

Your business is cooking on gas. You have your business plan and everything is running according to it, recession or no recession……Right?

If not, read on.

On the last Thursday of each month we run a free workshop in Central London to help push our businesses through their next brick wall (For most this is the recession, but not for all) and accelerate growth.

What does it look like?

A free monthly program to learn, share and build a community of likeminded businesses.

When and where?

Adam St on the last Thursday of each month 1430-1600. PS You must RSVP. Limited spaces

Who is running it?

Les Hercules Kalas, our Business Coach for the past 3 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 recession (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. As cheesy as this sounds, we want to put something positive out there in response to the flood of negative media messages. It isn’t all doom and gloom. It is also a great opportunity for you to network & build relationships within a community of likeminded people.

How much will it cost?

The first 3 ‘Tasters’ are free.  If you want more, there are 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

Sign up here

or call 08456 447758

or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk to confirm your seat

Become part of a community

We are building a community of culturally and commercially matched businesses that support smaller business in London. It will take the form of a web page on our site that is free to join and update.

We do most things a small business needs IT wise but we can’t do everything. There are also plenty of complementary businesses who serve the same market space as us but do completely different things e.g.  Printing, office furniture, marketing etc.

Building a trusted community will make us all stronger together and ultimately more useful to our clients.

If you’re interested in getting involved let me know dan@theengineroom.co.uk or 08456 447758