Over the last 2 years I have seen a plethera of individual business coaches and a couple of business coaching franchises spring up on the internet and in traditional networking venues such as chambers of commerce. Many time business owners ask me "why should I have a business coach for my business" and "what is a busines coach anyway?" The business coaching industry was started by Brad Sugars from Brisbane, Australia back in 1993 as an answer to business owner frustration with business consultants who charged an hourly rate, would come in, do some work and then leave. The business owner and their team would be left to figure it out and implement it on thier own.
Many business owners began realizng that the change they hoped to create in the business was short lived and that both they and their team would revert to old behaviors within a very short period of time. They wanted to learn how to grow their business and have the long lasting results that working with a mentor who would show them what to do and how to do it would give them.
This is why business coaching was started, is now a thriving industry and continuing to have exponential growth. Not so long ago having a coach was a luxury, today it's a necessity providing a competative advantage in the market place. With that backgound let's go over the 7 Reasons why business owners need a business coach and 11 questions to ask the coach you're interviewing.
#1. You as the business owner can't see the forest for the trees. There are so many things you could, should and would do if only. The coach is someone who can see your business from the outside in. They will look at your business from three vantage points. One as a coach with a business stategic and operational point of view. Next as a customer of your business who will tell you the truth about how it is to do business with you. Lastly the coach will see the busines through your eyes, this allows the coach to understand how you think, what drives you and why you have the results you have.
#2 The coach adds more knowledge to the owner and the business. Most business owners are time challenged and don't have the luxury to learn as much as they'd like to or need to. The coach brings in knowledge in a timely fashion as needed. For instance if the current issues are about recruiting new team members a coach can provide this knowledge right now to improve the recruitment process.
#3 A structure for accountability. Publically traded companies are forced to grow because wallstreet and their shareholders demand it. Once a small business owner has paid off the bank and makes payroll there is no one to hold him or her to account for growing the business. The coach is also there on a weekly basis to motivate and hold the owner to their growth plan.
#4 Being a business owner is one of the lonliest jobs on the planet. Having someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to be a sounding board can make a huge difference. Many times family, friends and team members mean well and they just don't know what it's like. Getting feedback from the outside is vital.
#5 To work with the team. As a business owner many times it's difficult to introduce change and have it last. With team members many times there is cynicism regarding previous attempts at change and resistance to upseting the status quo. A coach can come in an introduce the change then work with the team as an external trainer to change the culture and bring in new ideas.
#6 The resources a coach brings to the coaching relationship. This may include their network, other coaches they work with, venture capital and a host of other resources to benefit the business.
#7 Results. This is the number one reason to have a coach.
Here are 11 questions for you to ask yourself and the business coach you're interviewing.
#1 What are the specific areas I am looking to improve in my business?
#2 Am I committed to a long term relationship in which I will be in an inquiry and be coachable?
#3 What has held me back from reaching my goals in the business before now (be brutally honest)
#4 What difference will the above 7 Reasons to have a coach make in my business answer one by one.
#5 Ask the coach your interviewing if they are certified.
#6 Ask them if they are affiliate with other coaches or if they are an independent coach. (code word for consultant)
#7 Ask them for testimonials and client references, then call them.
#8 Ask them for examplesof client results in the areas of profitabilty growth, revenue growth, reduction in number of hours worked and so on. Make sure the answers are truly results not fluff.
#9 Ask the coach to outline the steps they will use to coach you.
#10 Ask if they have a guarantee.
#11 Ask yourself do you trust the coach.
Once you have gone through this questioning process you should be in a good place to chose a coach that is right for you and your business.
Jody Ann Johnson
7 Reasons Why Business Owners Need a Business Coach - To learn more about this author, visit Jody Johnson's Website.
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