I run a medium sized Garage in a rural area in Leicestershire, UK employing 6 people. Having been in business for 35 years I thought I knew it all, well most things anyway!
However I was then introduced to Jas Darar of ActionCOACH and things started to change.
My initial views of ActionCOACH were extremely sceptical - very expensive, nothing they could teach me etc. How wrong I was! I had never done budgeting before or any form of testing and measuring and really could not initially see the relevance. It has now become second nature and an extremely important part of the business, with very profitable results.
I am now more focused on my business than ever before and this is reflected in our increased turnover and profits. In an eight month period we have exceeded our previous annual turnover already and are meeting and exceeding carefully calculated goals.
Jas has also provided me with vital strategies and techniques to apply in Human Resources, thus resolving issues that had been ongoing for some time. This has had the effect of strengthening team spirit, which in turn increased productivity.
For anyone considering using a Business Coach, I cannot recommend Jas and ActionCOACH highly enough.
Roger Coates, RM Services, Hathern, Loughborough, Leciestershire - August 2008 The main reasons we decided were to take on a coach were to help our business take a qualitative step forward after two years of ‘flat lining’ and we were at risk of failure.
We are more systematic in our management of the business and have clearer goals and targets for the business. The initial 3 months have proved critical to helping us to identify some key weaknesses and making decisions that helped us to focus on some of our target markets and push forward with our approaches to marketing in a more assertive way. We’ve more of a sense of where we are heading in some aspect of the business and more confidence that we can achieve success in theses.
There has been greater emphasis on the business targets, discussing how these can be achieved and monitoring progress.
The most important lessons so far for us from the coaching process have been that you need systems, you need dedication and persistence and tips for marketing. The default diary as a tool for getting things done especially helping to prioritise what has to be achieved each day. Tackling the difficult things such as setting up meetings with key people even though I have some apprehension about how it might be received. This has worked particularly well so far as the response has been better than anticipated. Building and maintaining relationships especially with Associates in case the business does take off and we want to bring more people on board to build our capacity.
To anyone considering coaching for their business I would say go for it! You have to be fully committed to it and be prepared to do a lot more than you might have bargained for but it is likely to be worth it in the end.
Nigel Hudson, Stratagia, Chesterfield, Derbyshire - April 2008My main motivation to take on a coach was to grow the business and be able to have a life at the same time.
I have changed my focus to work on the business as the prime task. We re-planned the business in terms of roles required to achieve our business target of 1000 seats. From this generated a map of heads required and a timeline in which to achieve this. This has given the business an overall direction.
Putting focus on procedures and reviews has allowed tasks to be passed on more easily. In general within the business as a whole there is a much more positive attitude within the team.
Plans are in place to achieve some lifestyle change with plans in place to work 4 days per week by spring 08. This will be a significant change.
The 3 most valuable lessons I have learned so far through the coaching process are that 1) Working ON the business is my job. 2) Do things once and document them in a manner in which they can be done forever by someone else. 3) Work on what I am “the Be”.
The main fears I had before starting with Jas were: The fear of underachieving – be positive and believe it will happen. Letting go of tasks for fear of them not being done correctly has been replaced by putting in processes to make sure they are done correctly.
The coaching is very thought provoking and the mind set changes have been very valuable for both work and home life.
Dave Broddle, CADTEK Systems, High Peaks, Derbyshire - November 2007The main motivation for me to take on a coach was to get me in a position of being able to reduce my hours and have quality time with family and friends. I had a very wobbly start due to losing my sister, but I could not have got through this 3 months without the support I received. It’s hard to improve what you don’t know you have. I can do anything – I just forgot I could how to do it. My life feels a lot calmer and positive now that things and people are more organised.
My team are now much more involved in the day to day running of the business and I can see a big difference in how they work together without me. Testing and measuring brings FACT in front of you.
I was concerned initially about the cost. It is a lot of money, but it is much less than a good person’s salary for the year. You won’t get an employee speaking frankly or giving advice that they don’t think you want to hear. Objective help and advice for 12 months is cheap at the price I pay, and Jas is a very honest and focussed person and an excellent Coach.
Judi Collins, Proflight Ltd, Bolsover, Derbyshire – August 2007
The reason for me taking a coach was that I was at a crossroads with the business and didn’t know what direction to take. There had been a lot of changes and I knew things were not going well and I needed some advice on how to improve things and so I thought this would be a great way to do it.
The reason for me taking a coach was that I was at a crossroads with the business and didn’t know what direction to take. There had been a lot of changes and I knew things were not going well and I needed some advice on how to improve things and so I thought this would be a great way to do it.
I have had no real business training and felt that I had a lot to learn, and the initial 3 month have been a great learning curve and an enjoyable one and I have seen a vast improvement to the business and I realise this is just the beginning.
We were struggling to make any profit we seem to be busy fools but since putting up our prices and sourcing our materials better, we have been able to make a steady profit over the last 3 months. My team have seen changes too. Since finding a new works manager, the company has been more focused, more in control and a much positive atmosphere all round with the team all pulling in the same direction. Changes to me, at the moment I do work more hours but find it much more enjoyable and I know what I am working towards and that in the not so distant future I will be working less.
The 3 biggest lessons I have learnt have been 1) Time management (using a default diary) 2) Having the right people around you (new manager who is positive has a great attitude and totally committed to the co). 3) You have to lead from the top and feel the fear and do it anyway, you can even surprise yourself sometimes at what ability you do have with a bit confidence and support.I have previous had a fear of not being strong enough as a women in this very dominant mans world I work in, but it now seems this is a bonus. There is a fear of failing but I felt if I never tried I would never know.
To anyone considering coaching I would say get a coach and the sooner the better, I wish we done this when we started the business.
To anyone considering coaching I would say get a coach and the sooner the better, I wish we done this when we started the business.
Beverley Hazzledine, Acorn Precision Engineering, Langley Mill, Nottingham – July 2007
We have always wanted to do more with our business, but we just couldn’t find the time!!! However, since getting involved with Action, we have realised that everything we want is achievable by simply following the Action systems. Jas explained everything in a simple and practical way. We are now confident that we will not only achieve, but massively exceed our targets for 2007!!!! Everyone should have an ActionCOACH Business Coach!
We have always wanted to do more with our business, but we just couldn’t find the time!!! However, since getting involved with Action, we have realised that everything we want is achievable by simply following the Action systems. Jas explained everything in a simple and practical way. We are now confident that we will not only achieve, but massively exceed our targets for 2007!!!! Everyone should have an ActionCOACH Business Coach!
Abi Morris and Rachel Bull, - Rice Wedding Designers, Derby - April 2007
Jas Darar
Address:
9 Drummond Way
Chellaston
Derby
Derbyshire DE73 5YE
United Kingdom
Phone:
01332 690400 or 07977149740
Take our free Business Health Check to see what areas of your business needs improving.
Sign up now for our newsletter and stay in touch with us.