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Jacky Sherman

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Case Study: The Transition From Technician To Leader

How I helped Laura Askew of Criticalis ...

 
 

Posted by Jacky Sherman on 09/11/2022 @ 8:00AM

If you’re highly skilled in the technical expertise you offer, it can come as a shock to discover a whole host of other skills you need to run your own business which you never thought would be a problem ...

In my case study blog post this week, I'd like to introduce you to Laura Askew of Criticalis!

In my case study blog post this week, I'd like to introduce you to Laura Askew of Criticalis!

copyright: laura askew / critcalis

Suddenly, these issues get in the way of you achieving your targets. Time to look after your own personal development both to give you training in the new skills you need and then coach you through applying them to your particular circumstances.

"In my case study blog post this week, I'd like to introduce
you to Laura Askew of Criticalis!"

After a highly successful career as a technician managing the complexity of cybersecurity for companies with highly sensitive security needs, in 2016, Laura set up Criticalis, a cyber security business, alongside her colleague Matthew and took on board the role of CEO

In her new role in a new business, Laura came to me for training in referral marketing. She and her business partner had worked together in another company and were relatively inexperienced in marketing their services. She knew from the nature of their work they were most likely to generate new clients through introductions.

Laura completed the Asentiv Pro™ course designed to give her the fundamentals of referral marketing and a business process for applying that in her business.

Upon completion of the course, it become apparent that freeing up her time to undertake this role was a major obstacle, As the CEO with only her business partner to share the load she was a major contributor to the service delivery of their cyber security business. Delivery of which meant being on call 24 hours per day as their clients operate in other time zones in Europe and USA as well as the UK.

"This needed to be addressed before they would be
able to take on further clients!"

Addressing this problem through recruiting a junior technician to their highly technical and skilled work in cyber security had brought its own challenges. Finding someone with the right problem-solving and self-managing attributes and who could work without constant supervision led to various false starts but is now resolved.

We have now shifted to having regular sessions of mentoring and coaching to address her time management pressures and strengthen her leadership skills, especially when dealing with complex and at times uncomfortable conversations and decisions around the priorities in the business.

The timing and pace of these mentoring sessions were led by Laura as she needed a high degree of flexibility to fit around her time-sensitive client work.

"How has this work helped Laura take Criticalis forward?"

Laura says, "The Asentiv Pro course has helped distil what our target market is and the messaging of this to people. I now understand the process needed to get referrals from people and it has given me some tools to help me.

The subsequent mentoring and coaching with Jacky have provided clarity and a different perspective and ways to approach conversations. It also makes me take time to focus on the issues that are not day-to-day, This with the business growth has given me confidence in my decisions and that I'm doing the right things.

When working with Jacky, I like the fact that we can switch tracks. I've valued the different perspectives she brings and the fact that she ensures there are actions and outcomes for the session. We have now recruited our technician and I'm ready for a more structured plan to grow the business."

"Have you recently left employment and set up on your own?"

Are you finding the transition from technician to leader more challenging than you thought it would be? Why not book on my Set Up session to explore what help you need to get off to a great start.

Until next time ...



JACKY SHERMAN

 
 


Would you like to know more?

If anything I've written in this case study resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about how I can mentor you to help you grow your business, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 07970 638857. Let's have an initial chat over a coffee and see how I can help you.

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