|
To run a successful business today, a mentor or adviser in the form of a business coach is considered essential. Critics often dismiss this as a fad, but independent studies have shown the advantages of hiring a specialist who will be able to guide a business in the required direction. Hiring a coach to improve your business is not a sign of weakness but of success; just as successful sportsmen have coaches to improve their performance. You need one if you believe your business is worth improving and can reach its highest potential. A business coach needs to be hired when: · A business is growing too fast as well as when it is not growing fast enough. · An outsider's objective viewpoint is needed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the business. · You want to take the business in a new direction and need a sounding board for your ideas, to find out whether they are feasible and realistic. · Advice is needed on organizational and communication skills, time management skills and other 'soft skills'. With the plethora of coaches and advisers available today, one needs to be selective in choosing the professional who will be best suited to one's needs, and keep some essentials in mind. The right type of coach has to be selected. There are personal coaches, communication coaches, organizational coaches, and career coaches among others. For businesses, executive coaches or business coaches are the right choices. The person selected should have some formal training, and be part of an association or organization. Some knowledge and experience in your field will be advantageous in helping you to improve your business. He should have credibility and professionalism, so that he can competently offer the required knowledge, skills and good advice that he needs to provide. He should be able to provide at least three references of satisfied clients. Call the clients and find out what they liked and did not like about the coach, whether they would hire him again and whether they have recommended him to any of their friends and colleagues. Click here to learn more about David's service: Business coaching Sydney As in choosing to hire any other service provider, there should be respect and compatibility with the client. You should be able to feel comfortable and speak frankly with him. Find out about his core business values. Know his strengths and weaknesses if you want to trust him with yours. A successful coach should be a good listener. He can only provide guidance if he really listens to what you have to say. If in your first interview you find him talking more than listening, and putting his ideas forward more than listening to yours, you should think of moving on. Ask how the coach will help you. Decide whether you prefer step-by-step instructions, options, or a no-nonsense approach; his style of coaching should suit you. A coach with a non-judgmental approach, who can strike a rapport with his client, has a greater chance of success. But there should be honest appraisal and criticism - a coach who applauds more than he appraises is not what the client really needs. Most coaches offer a free introductory session, which should be accepted to test the quality of the services he is offering. Finally, a coach is not a magician who can fix a business overnight. But hiring the right person can ensure that advice; criticism and guidance are offered to enable a business to reach its full potential.
Related Articles -
business coaching sydney, business coach,
|
