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.

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

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'.