Coaching the client or the customer

Guest post by: Di Holliday
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Life, Conflict and Work - By Di Holliday

I am not sure that all clients understand the relationship that emerges from the coaching connection even when it is carefully explained to them. Most people are very used to buying products; if they are not satisfied they can take products back, they can complain, they can bargain and negotiate; not so with profession services, of which Coaching is one.

My background has always been in the service sector; accountant, business consultant, business mentor and natural health therapist. My practice is now devoted to EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) used with my coaching skills….

Until recently when I started another business; one totally in alignment with Natural Health which is my passion but now I sell products, this is a new area to me and I soon realised that the people I see and sell to are customers and not clients.

Dictionary definition of a client – a person or organisation taking advice from a lawyer, accountant or other professional person

Dictionary definition of a Customer – a person or organisation to whom goods or services are provided and sold

I don’t think this had ever crossed my mind before; I am a customer, I purchases ‘stuff’ and I am also a client to my dentist, web designer etc. I accept the fact that they have skills that I do not have, so I take their advice and purchase their skills.

Clients then should not be led into thinking that they can purchase the quick fix or Magic Bullet from a coach and go home sorted out for ever, like a customer may. As coaches we are providing skills and advice in a professional manner so it means that at the contract stage, if you do a contract, the client has to be made very aware that this is non-negotiable; no availability of bargaining and therefore payment is to be made even if there appears to be no ‘tangible’ changes or improvements, as can happen in the early days.

Ensure that your client understands what they are paying for, they can’s see it or touch it and if you are new to coaching, you may not have a stack of testimonials to impress them with your talent.

Coaches are builders of self-esteem, confidence and creative thinking, not builders of houses, cars or brick walls; the real difference being whether it is material or ethereal.

I would like to think that coaches can provide both; the intangible thoughts that put the material into being. From great thoughts great things can happen, so do we have clients and customers?

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Free PDF Download
Life, Conflict and Work - By Di Holliday

About the Author: Di Holliday

RSS for Di's articles - Visit Di's website
I have been in business in various forms for over 40 years and now I devote my time to EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Mentoring and natural health issues. My clients are from all backgrounds, business and private individuals. I work with the business community providing courses in stress management, health and well being in the work place and fear of public speaking. My EFT and natural health practice has a high success rate even working with serious illness and cancer. If you are not familiar with EFT check out Gary Craig, the founder of EFT at his web site www.emofree.com This technique is fast and efficient and I also work by telephone or internet connection. If you have any deep seated worries or stresses, talk to me.

Click here to visit Di's website.

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