Getting A Business Coach

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Pick A Business Coach - Getting The Right Fit

Business coaches aren't 'one-size-fits-all'. Just as the people who seek a business coach are different, and have different needs, so too, the business coaches they may consider will be different. Working with a business coach is like beginning a relationship. In this lens, we'll explore some areas to help you select a coach that is the right fit for you.

Do I Need A Business Coach? 

Here's How To Tell

Here are just a few areas that clients have identified as reasons for needing help from a business coach.

You Are:
Not making enough money
Not making enough profit
Choosing the wrong employees

There is:
Confusion in the business
Poor communication in the business
No proper chain of command in the business
Staff don't take any notice of you
Have too many staff that don't seem to do much
Not sure what some of the staff do
Things not getting done right
Things not getting done at all
Things getting done you don't like

You have:
No written position descriptions for staff
No formal procedure for managing performance
No policy and procedures documented and kept-up-to-date
People who owe you money
People who you owe money!

You:
Want to review you purchasing
Want to improve your customer service
Want to improve your profit
Want to cut out any unnecessary duplication
Want to sell more $ per sale
Want to sell to more people
Want to sell more often to your regular customers
Want to improve how your warehouse operates

You Need To:
Write a business plan
Articulate your vision
Manage the business better
Improve your personal skills
Get the business investor-ready to sell
Get the business ready to pass on to your children
Expand your business
Downsize your business
Improve the quality of the business you do
Reduce stress
Spend more time away from the business
Learn to delegate
Empower your staff.

Blog: Actionbites! 

Lindy Asimus's blog on business coaching, development, social networking and other things that tickle a fancy.

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Choosing Your Business Coach 

My Business Coach Checklist

Here are some questions about them -- that you need to have the answers for before you decide on a coach.

You've seen how they work, or are familiar with their writing
It is clear to you what they stand for

You know what their values are and they are a match
They are knowledgeable in their field
They listen
They are interested in knowing about you and what you want to achieve - not about 'closing the deal' before they know anything about you
They don't require a contract signed in blood and your youngest child as security
You can stop coaching without penalty if either of you decide it is not working well between you
You feel comfortable sharing difficult information with them
They ask you questions that are hard - but you know are important to get to the answers that will achieve your outcomes
They are connected to professionals in other areas of business they can refer you to, when it is outside their expertise

Now... What About You? 

Are You Ready For A Coach?

Finding a good coach to work with, one who shares basic values, but will hold you accountable and call you on it is one thing. Are you prepared to hold up your end of the relationship?

Here are some questions that you need to be able to own, if you are to benefit from coaching.

Okay, So You Are Thinking About Starting With Coaching...

But Are You Coachable?

Instructions: Only you can determine if you are at that time in your life where you are even coachable.
Read through, and see how ready you are to be challenged in a coaching role, to achieve the outcomes you want.

Here are the questions for you to answer to yourself. Honestly!

1.I am ready now and prepared to change the things in my life that are not working for me as I would like.

2.I can accept coaching.

3.I understand that the role of the coach is to coach and that I am responsible to do the work that is required.

4.I am reliable at returning phone calls and being prepared for my appointments.

5.I will be open to new ideas and concepts and procedures that are different from what I am used to.

6.I will at all times be open and truthful with the coach about my concerns and my progress.

7.If I am unhappy with results or the coach, I will communicate this immediately.

8.I am ready to let go of behaviours that are self-defeating and limiting my success.

9.I make no apologies to others who may not understand, for taking the steps that I need personally, in order to advance.

10.I can afford to pay for coaching and will look at the investment as evidence that I deserve to have the things in my life that I need now and am determined to make the changes I need.

11.I believe coaching is a worthwhile investment personally and professionally.

12.I know that to make the improvements I have not been able to make on my own until now, I need help.

13.I can share credit for my success with the coach without reservation.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these important questions. Remember, this is a self evaluation, and there is no right or wrong answer -
just 'Ready... or not'.

Lindy Asimus' Links 

My Websites & Network Profiles

Stop by and visit my site, or connect with me on my social networks if you think we'd be a good fit.
Action Bites Blog
My blog for all things business, social, innovative, and whatever takes my fancy!
Personal Business Coaching
My website for personal and business coaching.
Design Business Engineering.
Design Business Engineering is my Business Development site.
Linkedin Profile
LinkedIn is a social business network for professionals. Send me an invite if you would like to connect.
Get Help for Business Owners
Australian site.
My new network for business owners to get access to information, resources, and specialist advisors to help them with their business needs. From coaching, through to whatever-they-need, this is where business owners can get help.
Small Business Survey
Small business survey. Check your answers and see where some of your 'gaps' might be, that coaching would assist. If we can help, we'd love to do so. Either in person, or remote coaching is available to suit the client.
Join TeamCircle
TeamCircle is Lindy Asimus' social networking site for small business owners. Started as an advanced networking group for connected members on Merchant Circle, TeamCircle is a venue to take your business networking to the next level. Add your Merchant Circle listing, and join in the fun!
Business Fitness Test
Your business operational fitness assessment test.
Email Marketing Success - Simple!
Email Marketing - Art And Science!
We recognize easily, that email has become a vital element in our business. Not only does it allow us to send and receive information to and from our customers and suppliers, it opens the door for us to provide valuable and timely information to customers and prospective customers alike who want to know more about our topic of business.

Unfortunately, while marketing by email can seem like the simple easy way to keep in touch - and it is - it is also fraught with danger for those who are not expert in marketing by email. Click on the link for more details on how... and grab your free 30 day trial now!
Get Help For Small Business
Get help for your business from business coaching, through business systems, business valuations and business finance from Get Help. Based in Newcastle NSW and servicing Australian small business Get Help is a sister site for Lindy Asimus's Design Business Engineering Business Coaching. We can help you in Australia, in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie areas in person, or by internet and phone if you are in Australia.

Lindy Asimus is moderator on the Merchant Circle forum and you can find here there if you are in the US. Send an invitation to connect! Coaching is available and if you are a Merchant Circle member ask about the special free coaching session available for network members.

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  • Reply
    MyGemStoneBox MyGemStoneBox Jul 13, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
    Great info here, Stumbled & tweeted you!
    Best,
    D
    http://mygemstonebox.blogspot.com
  • Reply
    Allan Himmelstein Allan Himmelstein Apr 26, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
    Good stuff. As a Business Coach and a Facilitator for Peer Advisory Boards, I suggest strongly that having the combination is a lot more powerful. If two heads are better than one, imagine 10 heads that have no agendas and no financial ties to please you. Come visit my Blog www.tab-scottsdale.com for more info. Or the Alternative Board at www.tabboards.com.
    Regards,
    Allan Himmelstein
    allanh@tab-scottsdalenorth.com
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Hi!I'm a business coach and since I pick the clients I want to work with, it seemed like a good idea to give people a clue on some strategies on how t... (more)

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