All posts tagged Mentoring

First online forum a great success!

By Coras on 08/05/2020 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

Yesterday 7th of May , we had an online gathering which felt more like a party with reflections from Shawn.

The consensus was to repeat this at some stage. So if you agree please drop a note to rhian@coras.me and any suggestion about the content would be appreciated

Who is driving your car?

By Coras on 30/04/2019 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

As a business leader you drive the car, set the destination and direction but that is just the start…

Shawn recognises this is just the beginning. “You have to be involved right through the process and have a full understanding of what is happening in the business. I believe, that to be successful you have to be the engine of the car and the oil that keeps all the parts moving well together.”

He goes on to explain that, the engine of the car is like the operational side of a business. “Essentially it pushes the car forward. It can be a dirty, tricky business but without it nothing works, the car does not move and the business does not progress. As the head of the business my involvement is crucial to moving the business forward. I have to be the engine, fully involved in what is happening on a day to day basis, understanding where we are going and making sure that the business goes in that direction.”

The danger is, however, that your head is firmly in operational mode and you do not look round to see danger signs that are happening organisationally. “This is where, I believe, that a business leader has an essential role that I liken to being the “oil” in the engine.” He goes on to explain, “As the oil, I have to make sure that all the moving parts of the engine work together, so that things do not grate and processes and people work in harmony. Only when that happens can the car, or the business, move forward smoothly and economically.”

So it sounds that the business needs regular oil checks to make sure that the parts are in harmony. “Absolutely, keeping communication channels open, making sure that people are able to approach you to let you know when there is an issue and regularly taking the temperature of the organisation is vital”.

Shawn believes that paying attention to Employee Surveys, putting time into appraisals, making sure you do exit interviews, allowing people the space to tell you what is going well and what is going now so well is key to the running of a successful business. However, more importantly, acting upon this is vital. “If the dials on your dashboard are showing that something is not running smoothly with your car, then you have to act to put it right.” The same applies to the so called “soft” indicators.

“We can all read a balance sheet, but other indicators – people’s opinions and views – will give you the underlying reasons why things may not be going in the direction you want. You ignore these at your peril. In these days, when getting the right people in the right job, is evermore difficult, we want to make sure we keep good people. Listening to them and keeping them on board is vital. Be the oil in the machine that keeps the car moving forward! Keep listening to your people and communicating to take your business forward!

So, a business leader means juggling a number of roles, setting the destination, driving forward to arrive there and making sure that the working parts move smoothly together. Is it something that Shawn enjoys, “I love my job, I love the business I have developed and the people I work with. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to work with entrepreneurs, through my involvement with Coras. I hope that my experience can help develop and support new businesses to succeed and thrive.”

Coras Business Seminar 2016 – how you can be part of it

By Coras on 03/11/2015 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

Coras 2016 and how you could be involved

Following the success of the Coras 2015 event in May, Coras is now looking expanding its reach beyond the traditional Newbury boundaries to work with and support new start ups and entrepreneurs in the wider Reading/Thames Valley area.

The drive for this expansion came from the reaction from Coras 2015 – a lot of interest was expressed from businesses and organisations in the Thames Valley area in our offering given the clear dynamism and growth in Reading.

In response to this feedback, our first event will be a free business seminar aimed at new business/ entrepreneurs. We want to give businesses and organisations in Newbury and Reading the opportunity to join us to support and get involved with our target audience.

We do not want to work in isolation and are looking to form partnerships with sponsors and supporters. We are currently talking to a number of organisations to develop the seminar to ensure that it is appropriate and meaningful to the audience.

The benefit to our sponsors and supporters is:

Reading and the Thames Valley is a vibrant area that is developing rapidly and Coras will organise, promote and deliver a business seminar spearheaded by a successful entrepreneur
This will provide you with the platform to meet, network and influence this key audience
We see this as an initial step and would look to develop our relationship with businesses in this area – it will be your chance to get in at the beginning of this journey.

What we want from our sponsors

Financial support of between £5,000 and £10,000

What we want from our supporters

Financial support of between £500 and £1,000

What we offer our sponsors

Joint billing with Coras and association on the website for 12months
15 minute presentation at the seminar
Showcasing your product and services at the seminar to include your printed material on display and to give away
Inclusion in all PR and publicity managed by Coras – including video and social media

What we offer our supporters

Logo included in all material and on our website for 12 months
5 minute presentation at the seminar
Showcasing your product and services at the seminar to include your printed material on display and to give away

Finalists for Coras 2015 have been announced

By Coras on 30/04/2015 in News with Comments Off

Coras Announces their three finalists for 2015

Coras 2015 has announced their three finalists for its award ceremony on 7^th May at the Hilton Newbury Centre. Coras, sponsored by Hilton, is in its third year and this year they have had more applicants than in previous years and the standard has been consistently high.

“The fact that more entrepreneurs than ever have come forward tells me that innovation, creativity and keen business sense are alive, well and thriving.” said Shawn Khorassani – the man behind Coras.

Companies have to go through a rigorous process to be selected as finalists – first they submit a 1000 word synopsis, this is then followed up by interview before the last three are chosen. On the night, each finalist will give a 5 minute presentation before the winner is chosen by Shawn at the end of the evening.

The prize is substantial – a £50,000 investment opportunity for the winner, 6 months mentoring from Shawn and a cash prize of £1,000.

“It is great to see the enthusiasm and the ideas that are out there – and to be given the chance to support them and help them develop. May 7^th is going to be a great night for start ups and for networking – and basically for having a good time with great people who are interested in developing ideas for the future”.

The three finalists are:

Avanatta

Avanatta is a collaborative video making application with a social networking wrapper. Users add their videos to those made by others to create a film that can be watched back, added to, and shared across the social web.

Avanatta has a range of social responsibility features. Users earn nattaCoins (Avanatta’s currency) which they can use to buy digital products such as downloads and digital vouchers. Users can buy digital gifts for themselves or send them as digital presents to friends and followers. They can also donate their coins to the Avanatta Foundation which cashes them in and donates to socially responsible causes.

Scentrel

Scentrel was set up in 2008 to develop a pesticide for the 3^rd world to help combat malaria. The present system is a humble candle which, when lit, transfers the thermal energy of the flame to the organic insecticide which has been infused into a porous ceramic disc. Once the disc is heated it diffuses the formulae safely into the atmosphere without the customary harmful toxins of sprayed to air products.

The company has forged a business partnership with one of the foremost insecticide companies in the UK, Agropharm Ltd. Together they have developed a unique, organic formula of insecticide which incorporates pyrethrum – a naturally occurring by product of the African chrysanthemum flower. Exhaustive independent DEFRA accredited studies showed proven kill rates of up to 90% and the products were then HSE approved. The pyrethrum insecticide is safe for use around children and pets. It is presently being offered in 14 different pest control products and will be going on general sale in May 2015 in the UK and selected territories in the European Union.

International Gums & Oils Limited

International Gums and Oils Limited (IGO) is a natural products based company supplying the fragrance and flavours industry with high value oleoresins, such as those from frankincense, and its waste products. Their plan is to manufacture essential oils; to convert waste products, into natural products which are in high demand by the flavour and fragrance industry of Europe and the USA; and create innovative new products from African and Asian plants.

Coras 2015 has officially kicked off with the Supporter’s lunch

By Coras on 30/03/2015 in News with Comments Off

Coras is a platform for Shawn Khorassani to help nurture business talent and bring his years of experience to companies and individuals who have the vision to leave a lasting legacy through the creation of well-run and successful enterprises.

This is reflected in the companies that are supporting Coras this year and Shawn is delighted with the calibre and the level of support he has received. “Every year I think we cannot get better and every year the momentum seems to build. I am really excited about this year’s event because of the standard of the applicants that we have so far – and the businesses who have come on board with us – because they recognise that Coras is an excellent platform for them to grow their business and make new contacts.”

In addition to the main sponsor, Hilton, Coras draws on a wealth of experience from the team who support them year in and year out publicising and promoting the organisation – all based in Newbury. Big Print, Keep Printing and Media Fusion have been key in designing and delivering the look and feel of this year’s event.

Charles Lucas Marshall Solicitors, Advoco Solutions – an IT company based in Thatcham, Newbury Rugby Football Club and MWS Media have joined with West Berkshire Council, Thames Valley Partnership and Berkshire Media Group in recognising the value of Coras and in supporting the event.

Shawn is looking forward to selecting the winning Coras applicant on 7th May at the Hilton Newbury Centre. He says “Coras is more than just a networking event – it is an event with substance. We support new business by selecting a business that we can support and nurture. £50,000 is a lot of investment for a small business and this, together with 6 months of mentoring, can take them to the next level. The competition between our finalists on the night – when they will each give a presentation to the room – is brilliant experience for them and makes an entertaining and exciting centrepiece for our supporters and their guests. It is a great thing to be part of.”

Paul Hampson, Managing Director of Advoco Solutions said “this is the first time we have been involved with Coras and we see it as an excellent opportunity for us. We see the benefit of networking locally as we feel this is a great opportunity to make links with local businesses – as many of our contracts are further afield. It is also interesting and exciting to be involved with an organisation that is committed to new business. We were all new businesses once and benefited from people having faith in our vision and future.”

Emma Allen, Executive Director of Newbury Rugby Football Club said “Coras ticks all the boxes for us. It establishes great links with local businesses and means that we are supporting the local businesses as well. We see ourselves being very much at the heart of Newbury’s business and social life – Coras will help us do this. In the first year we were involved in a limited capacity but we are delighted to be a supporter this year.”