I am the Managing Director of Catharsis – Creative Arts Therapies. At Catharsis we are committed to providing arts therapies, psycho-educational arts and training to the local community and the wider region.  I have a team of dedicated, innovative and successful creative arts psychotherapists who provide a unique specialist service throughout the East Midlands.  

What my business was like prior to being involved with ActionCOACH.

The business was growing gradually, doing well financially and had been for many years prior to being involved with Jas Darar and his team but my business knowledge was not doing so well and so I was struggling to keep up.  With no formal business training I was flying by the seat of my pants!  No systems made everything I did lengthy and with an accountant who really did nothing but submit my final tax calculations, I did not know where my business was financially.  I was paying my freelancers substantially more than myself yet I was working every available hour.  I was unable to keep up with the demand and so new leads where not being followed up.  Metaphorically I knew I needed another parent in this large single parented family or at least I needed someone to support me to parent this family appropriately. 

Managing a team of freelancers who were essentially managing their own freelance careers was not easy.  I spent most of my time running around fighting fires and not dealing with the initial cause and therefore stopping them before they even had a chance to ignite.  The affect of this on the business was that I was beginning to look unprofessional and maybe more importantly I was feeling unprofessional and losing my grip on the team and the business. 

I was working full time as a therapist and running the business.  I worked every day, every evening and every weekend. I barely allowed myself to take a holiday and had been functioning like this for many years. As a result I had not had a social life or time for relationships for years. I also wanted to start a family but I could see no way of doing this with the way things were as I could not be away from the business for a day let alone for maternity leave and who would pay me whilst I wasn't practicing? I hungered for support, someone who could relate to my situation.

How I got involved with ActionCOACH.

In the summer of 2010 I sought an Acupuncturist to help bring some peace and harmony back into my body and therefore into my very hectic and stressful lifestyle.  I needed help to overcome constant ill health that I was never able to fully recover from as I was too busy.  In October 2010 she introduced me to Jas Darar from ActionCOACH, I went along to a seminar and instantly knew that this was what I had been dreaming of but never knew existed and though I knew financially this investment would have its impact, I also knew it was absolutely right and I signed up immediately. 

What my reservations were.

I had plenty of reservations about getting involved with ActionCOACH, one being the money involved as it was going to be a significant financial commitment.  I questioned whether ActionCOACH was just a big money making scam.  Other reservations were more to do with my own confidence, could I sit in front of a business expert and admit what I did not know about business?  Would I feel naked and exposed, would I be able to tell the truth?  And could I sit with other business owners and not feel small or inferior? Regardless I took the plunge with the knowledge that I could get out at any time if it was not right for me.

What has happened since working with ActionCOACH

Since I started I feel like I have been through a whirlwind of learning, at times tough but on the whole exciting.  I have made some big changes to the business.  Not only have I changed my accountant, got a grip on my financials and developed ideas for incentives schemes.  I have created induction packs, recruitment systems and how to manuals.  I have also changed my existing pay model, issued new contracts to freelancers, got rid of staff that were problematic and issued roles and responsibilities to the current and new team members.  I promoted a member of staff to supervisor to help support me, reshaped team meetings to inspire and support but I also redefined my vision, mission and culture to truly reflect who I am, what my team are and what we wish to be.  I now have a fantastic website and glossy brochures which showcase the amazing work we do.  I could go on, the list of things I have achieved as a direct result of being involved with Jas and his team is endless.  However it feels important to note what the outcome of this has been so far.  Yes there has been financial reward but more than that, I got my life back, not immediately but eventually.  I am back in the driver’s seat, my team are happy and business is growing and developing daily.

What I would say to anyone considering being coached

Jas Darar was the person I turned to for guidance and support and though that felt like a challenge in itself I have not looked back but instead dreamt huge dreams about my future.  I have met an amazing community of like minded business owners, who provide such a rich environment from which to learn, gain support, friendship and also opportunities to work together.  As a business owner this is an experience and an opportunity not to be missed.

Hannah Robertson – Catharsis – February 2012 

We would recommend Jas and his team at ActionCOACH Derby to any local business.  They helped us take stock of our business by systemising key processes.  This brought a sharper business focus and helped cut out pointless tasks.

The fortnightly coaching sessions are always informative and productive.  Jas is always prepared to listen and contributed to solving our everyday problems whilst also developing a vision for future expansion.

We find Jas to be an assertive and inspiring Coach who encourages us to set realistic but tough goals for the business.

Prior to coaching we took separate holidays as we didn’t feel we could leave the business for more than a couple of days. In January 2012 however we took 2 weeks off on holiday and this was possible as we had put systems in place which meant it could still run predictably even when we aren’t there!

One of the key benefits is the chance to network with other clients of ActionCOACH Derby through regular informal events, and also the structured 90 day planning GrowthCLUB seminars.

Jamie & Carol Ison - Agency Signs Midlands Ltd - March 2012    

Why we decided to get into coaching – Structure, Guidance, Focus, Motivation, Feedback from someone outside of the business.

What are reservations were – Time, Practicality, Cost and Results

Results – Through coaching we have achieved the following:

•               7282 contracts agreed

•               4248 active clients

•               Turnover Increased By 60% in last 6 Months

•               Profit Increased by 30% in last 6 Months

•               A team of 8 active sales professionals

•               An independent agency channel

•               Telecoms & Insurance affinity partnerships

•               Domestic referral scheme (Cheaper than Money supermarket)

•               9 established energy suppliers

Overall a more structured approach, Better Communication and Less Reactive towards business decisions.

Darrel Brookes – UCR Consultants – March 2012

I would never be without a coach for my business. Jas Darar of ActionCOACH has taught me the skills and processes for my business that have improved a number of areas:

·                     33% increase in turnover

·                     Reduced working time by 25% but now spending more time working ON the business instead    of just IN!

·                     My business can now work without me – I can take holidays and time off to spend with my family

·                     Team are working better together towards a shared common goal

·                     Overall structure of the business has been improved

Andrew Edmondson – Managing Director – Purely Digital – February 2012 

Jas is a truly outstanding business coach. Working with him we've managed to transform our business - from structuring and processes through to core cultural values. The effects have been remarkable both to our team and our bottom line. There's no doubt that the ActionCOACH methodology turns businesses into winners. Even for small independent business I can't emphasise enough how much the method helps to knuckle down to what matters - both personally and professionally.

Jas is also one of the most inspirational individuals I've had the pleasure to meet in life. He really does 'walk the walk'. His values are impeccable, he has supremely keen business acumen but he's also warm and friendly (and firm too, which of course a coach should be!) If you have the good opportunity to work with him, do so. You'll thank your lucky stars you did.

Justin Johnson, Outso, Nottingham - January 2011

I think first and foremost are a couple of striking points by which Jas operates - the ethics and enthusiasm for business today. These are strong, from the heart and work. It’s really good to work with someone who gets involved and is like-minded.

Jas has taught us to put action into our behaviour, how to measure that action and to understand you are not going to get things right first time all the time and it’s not wrong to make a mistake and take the corrective action required.

We now have a marketing strategy something we have never had before – a course of action to develop new prospects, which we are now developing into other marketing strategies. These strategies are key for us to develop before we can move forward again.

Let me be clear Jas does not just offer a marketing strategy for business, take a look at his web site and you will see our comprehensive ActionCOACH are – it’s just where we needed to be.

Jas does not tell you what to do and how to do it, he educates, develops your skills and imparts knowledge so you can take your business forward. The great thing here is these skills will then be with you all your business life. It’s about encouraging, you, offering direction and ideas so you can take your business to the next level. These skills also involve your private life, which becomes much richer.

Thank you Jas for helping us to develop our business understand our business and giving us the time to develop our business.

Alan Mills, The Design Factory Limited, Nottingham - December 2010

Thanks to Jas & ActionCOACH I understand my business and its’ potential better than I ever have done before!

Ashfield Screen Printing has been growing successfully for a number of years.  As the business has grown it has become increasingly difficult for me to directly manage such a large team.  As a result I’ve found myself focusing more on the day to day issues, rather than the business as a whole.

I met Jas in January and something immediately clicked both with him as an individual and ActionCOACH as a process.  It instinctively felt right that this was for me.  In the past consultants have TOLD me how to run my business, with Jas I am being EDUCATED on how to run my business.  Jas is helping me to develop both as a business owner and as an individual, giving me the skills and knowledge to take the business forward to the next level.  Jas stands alongside offering direction, advice encouragement and ideas as well as the occasional kick up the backside if I don’t deliver!

Over the past five months I have truly come to understand my business.  I now have a much clearer sense of direction and purpose.  I have become a better manager and communicate much better with my team.  By understanding my Key Performance Indicators, I am able to target and develop specific areas of the business and through measurement gauge relative successes – what works and what doesn’t.

Thank you Jas and ActionCOACH for showing me the potential of my business and how to realise it!

Charles Henry, Ashfield Screen Printing, Derby - June 2009

I have been working with Jas Darar at ActionCOACH for just over six months. I can’t quite put into words the profound positive effect he is having on our company; his ideas, work ethic, and structured approach has meant we have achieved unprecedented results.

I thought I knew how to run my business. I thought nobody could possibly teach me about my business. I was wrong!!

Jas’ worth to our company is unquantifiable, without his direction we would never be able to fully fulfil  our potential. Thank you Jas, can’t wait for the next few years!

Ali Baylav, Cavendish Lettings, Nottingham - March 2009

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 2008

My 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 2007

The 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.

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.  

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! 

Abi Morris and Rachel Bull, - Rice Wedding Designers, Derby - April 2007