The Right Business Coach Can Serve as a Catalyst for Your Small Business

The right coach for your small business

Currently a lot of people are trying their hand at business coaching. In fact, it seems that many displaced middle managers from corporate America try hanging their “coaching shingle” out as a perceived easier alternative to finding another job!  Well, as someone who has been in the business consulting and coaching space for nearly a decade, I have seen my share of these folks come and go!  While that is unfortunate for them, the sad part is that in many cases the real victims are those businesses that unwittingly hired these “temporary” business coaches only to receive bad advice.

Will the “Real” Business Coach Please Stand Up

So how do you separate the right business coach from the posers?  It’s really not that difficult. You should be looking for someone who has truly “been there” and “done that”, and I don’t mean has corporate experience!  You and I both know that the realities of running a small to medium-sized privately held business are far, far different than living in a Dilbert cube!

You need to demand proof that the business coach you are interviewing has worked with clients similar to yourself and has successfully helped them overcome their business issues. What types of problems or issues are you facing?  Do you need a generalist? A sales expert? A marketing expert?  Is it more of a personal goals issue?  Trust me, the last thing you want to do is entrust your future to someone who doesn’t have the expertise to help you solve your problems in the first place, and may not be around to support you next month.

Business Coaching – More Than Just Technical Skills

A true business coach is more than just a bright, capable person.  Coaching is both art and science, and the best coaches have undergone extensive training in the science and psychology of coaching.  This training typically takes months and requires the person to have both “book” knowledge and real world experience before they can earn the accreditation as a coach.

So coaching accreditation is another easy way to distinguish whether the person you are speaking with is likely to have what it takes to serve as a catalyst for you and your business. The coaching model I use with my clients mirrors those of the Coaching Training Institute and centers on these four principles:

1. Eliminate the “should” and uncover the “shine”

2. It is possible if the client wants it to be

3. The coach draws out the potential

4. The answer lies within the client

In the end, a good business coach realizes that “it’s all about the client” and unlocking the potential within individuals and organizations.

Coaching is the Catalyst

Many years ago, before I understood what business coaching was all about, I was a very good business consultant. Believe me, I am a far better catalyst for growth and change today, now that I can couple my technical and business expertise with my coaching experience.

Call me, Jeff Bishop, at 630.305.0609, to schedule a free 30-minute session, and see what coaching can do for you!