Business Coaching

Business coaching could be just the help you need if you want your business to be more successful. Many business owners find themselves working far too hard for nowhere near enough return.

It can be quite tough running your own business especially if you're the only person at the top. This can be quite lonely.

Here's some ideas of how business coaching could help you?

Finding the best way to grow your business without working all the hours under the sun.

Reducing the time that you spend working and still bringing in more profits

Having a confidential partner who you can brainstorm ideas and strategies with.

Keeping you focused, motivated and on track doing what you need to do.

Someone who encourages you and wants the best for you.

A lot of business coaching is carried out over the telephone although of course some coaches do work with clients face to face. Working with a coach by telephone is extremely effective and there is no time wasted getting to and from appointments along with possible travel delays and parking problems.

Usually a coaching relationship is between 3-6 months and this depends and on what needs to be achieved. Some business coaching is carried out just for a couple of sessions and this is useful if you just want to brainstorm some ideas and then get on with putting them into action yourself.

If you're someone who also needs help putting your plans into action, then the coaching may continue for longer.

You need to ensure that you get what you need from your coaching and therefore its better to be clear about the goals and outcomes you're expecting from the coaching. This also needs to be defined for each session.

A good part of coaching is asking you questions so that you can explore ideas further, clarify your thinking and ensuring that any actions you'll take fit perfectly for you. As individuals we all have different needs and different routes suit different people.

One of the most important aspects of coaching is getting you to take the actions that you've defined. Without action, very little will happen or change.

I would say the main difference is that a mentor has already trodden the path, and been there and done it so to speak. Whereas a coaches skill lies in being able to help you tread your own path without them necessarily having done it themselves. A bit like a sports coach . . . they know how to get you to be great at something.

Are coaches qualified or trained?

At present there are no requirements for coaches to be trained, which means that anyone can call themselves a coach. Although they may still be good coaches, I feel that being trained gives a better grounding and also a commitment to being their best.

What do I need to look for in a coach?

I suggest that you first think about what you need a coach to help you with. For example, you many need help setting a strategy for your business, so you'll need a coach that offers that. It could be that you're an ideas person and you need someone to listen to your ideas, flesh them out and get you to take action. Not all coaches can handle every situation. So, think about what you might need, then take a look around at what coaches are available. A recommendation may be the best way to go.

Find out more about business coaching and how business coaching might be of use to you