Being a business owner can be quite lonely place. Even when you’re surrounded by colleagues, they may not be the best people to talk to about business growth, strategic planning, issues or challenges. Deciding to work with a business coach can be a positive step, but it’s important to find the right business coach for you.
Like any partnership, you need to get on well and feel able to open up and talk honestly. You may hear some uncomfortable truths. You need to trust that person with your innermost business secrets – flaws and all. You must believe that they’re the person to help you reach your full potential and take your business to the next level.
So before you embark on this exciting business journey of growth and discovery, it’s important to take the time to choose the right business coach. Much as I hate to say it, it’s not always me! You need to find someone who fits with your personality, way of working and specific business needs.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the steps to take and questions to consider before investing in business coaching services.
What To Consider Before Starting a Business Coaching Program
I’ll be completely honest here. Business coaching sessions don’t work for everyone. If you’re not willing to commit to the business coaching relationship and process, then it probably isn’t right for you in the first place.
Remember that you have to do the work. A coach is there to push you to your full potential, but they won’t do the work for you like a consultant might. They’ll partner with you, guide you, advise you and keep you accountable. But you still have to implement the action plan and do the hard graft.
Be really clear about what you want from a business coach. Do you need emotional support or advice and guidance on business strategy? Which part of the business do you want to grow or evolve? Once you know what you want and need, it’s easier to find the right business coach to match that.
What Qualifications or Experience Should I Look for in a Business Coach?
You don’t need specific qualifications and certifications to set up as a business coach. So it’s really important to do your due diligence and look into their credentials and experience. Certification isn’t necessarily the be all and end all, but it does provide some insights into their credibility and skillsets. It proves that the potential business coach has had relevant training and will have basic knowledge and skills at least. Personally, I think it’s important that the business coach has invested the time, effort and expense in a structured training and certification program. A great business coach is trained and equipped with the specific skillsets to know the most powerful and poignant questions to ask to support and guide you to your desired outcomes.
Find out about their coaching experience. They may have case studies or testimonials on their website. Check out past clients’ comments on their LinkedIn, Trustpilot or Google Business Profile pages. You’ll gauge whether the people who have been through their coaching programs recommend them.
I also think it’s worth discovering their speciality and business experience. Have they run their own business before or worked in a similar company or industry to yours? Have they coached other self-employed people in that area? They don’t have to know everything about your industry, but they do need to know which questions to ask.
Delve into their professional background (LinkedIn is good for this). If they have a background in marketing, they’ll be better at helping you with lead generation, marketing plans and activity. With an HR background, they’ll help you to grow and/or manage your team. If they’re a general business coach, check they have appropriate credentials and the skillsets that you need.
What Factors Should I Consider When Selecting a Business Coach for My Company?
A successful coaching relationship is built on trust. You trust the coach to provide relevant and appropriate advice for your business, and to keep your sensitive information confidential. They trust you to commit to the coaching process and action the tasks assigned each coaching session. For that to happen, the following factors need to be right.
Compatibility
It’s really important that you both get on with each other. You’ll be spending a lot of time together and sharing personal insights, so you need to get along. Business coaching is a collaborative process, so it’s crucial to work with someone you’re compatible with.
Value for Money
You need to feel that the business coach will provide value on your investment. You need to believe that hiring your business coach is worth every penny! The right business coach will be by your side, improving your entrepreneurship journey and guiding your business to the next level. And you need to be willing to put in the necessary work to reap the rewards. As one of my valued clients puts it, “It’s pointless putting yourself into it unless you’re willing to totally commit to it. You’re only kidding yourself otherwise… It’s money down the drain.”
Business Goals
You need to feel that you’ll reach your goal quicker with them than by yourself. Why invest in a coaching program if you could do it yourself? That means respecting their credentials, experience and coaching ability; and trusting that they’re the right partner to drive business and personal success.
Your goals don’t have to be all about increasing profits. You may want to improve your leadership skills or be able to step away from your business to improve your personal life. The right business coach will coach you in the appropriate growth strategy to reach that goal.
Coaching and Communication Style
It’s also important that you feel comfortable with the coach, their coaching style and processes. How do you respond best? Do you need army style bootcamp with a strict commander to hold you to account? Or do you prefer the soft, empathetic approach? We’re all different.
In my opinion, someone who’s too soft and gentle may not chase you up or take you to task on issues. But if they’re too domineering, you may get annoyed rather than encouraged.
Relevant Experience
Along with compatibility, you need your business coach to understand your business and its complexities. You may want someone who specialises in your industry or small businesses. Check their track record and testimonials from past clients. See if it strikes a chord with you.
Then of course, have a chat with them and see if you get the right vibe.
Success Story: PML Construction
“Having an ActionCoach is like having someone else on your side really. He holds you to account to get important jobs done. The ones that normally get put on the backburner because they’re not the day-to-day running of the business,” says business owner Patrick Steppel.
“Since working with ActionCoach our gross profit has actually doubled, our net profit has tripled and our turnover’s also gone up by 30%.”
About Me, Phil Chantry, Business Coach
I’m a successful business coach to business leaders, entrepreneurs and small business owners. I work with them to define and achieve their business goals. As a small business owner myself, I bring my own experience and skill sets to the coaching relationship too. I’m an experienced business coach as well as an experienced small business owner which gives me great insights into what you’re going through and where you want to go.
I offer one-to-one and group coaching sessions; 90 day business plan sessions and workshops.Contact me to see if we’d work well together.
