There are a lot of different ideas floating around about how to get the most out of small business coaching.
Every business owner I’ve met has, at some point in their business, become stuck and in the need of objective, outside assistance to get them moving again. The great advantage with small business coaching is that there are many options. Here are 3 tips that you can use in selecting who to go with for your small business coaching.
1. Manage your expectations: Remember that you’re hiring a coach not a new CEO for your business. A small business coach will not be the solution to all of your problems. A coach’s primary purpose is to help YOU run your business to it’s potential. If you’ve been in a mess for a while or stuck on a significant problem, things won’t magically turn around in a few days or weeks.
Remember that it’s about YOUR PROGRESS in fixing YOUR BUSINESS.
2. Focus on what’s relevant: Many coaches come equipped with a programme, which is designed to make your business healthier. Often they have a pre-prepared structure designed to make sure that all bases are covered during the coaching process. This is great IF it fits with where your business is currently. It is YOUR BUSINESS and you know the challenges and issues that need to be addressed. If the coach deflects your questions with statements like, ‘We’ll get to that later in the programme”, remember that YOU are the one who is empowered to run your business. The coach needs to work with you, NOT you working to their schedule. Sometimes business owners are not sure what to do next so advice from a coach is pertinent, but if you know what the issues are, make sure you start with what’s important to you.
3. Don’t forget about the money: Often, business coaching is delivered from a motivational standpoint.
The business owner is feeling isolated and frustrated and the coach arrives to motivate. While motivation is very important, it is not the ‘be all’ of small business coaching.
A key measure of success in business is MONEY. If the coach is not also addressing the money side of your business, there is a gaping HOLE that needs to be filled to ensure your overall business does not fail. While getting more sales is important, it is the cash flow you’ll generate from those sales which will determine your long term success.
Don’t forget about the money!
These three tips are not the only things to consider in selecting a small business coach, but they are a good start from which you can move forward.
Want more from your small business coach? Contact One Sherpa Today!
Every business owner I’ve met has, at some point in their business, become stuck and in the need of objective, outside assistance to get them moving again. The great advantage with small business coaching is that there are many options. Here are 3 tips that you can use in selecting who to go with for your small business coaching.
1. Manage your expectations: Remember that you’re hiring a coach not a new CEO for your business. A small business coach will not be the solution to all of your problems. A coach’s primary purpose is to help YOU run your business to it’s potential. If you’ve been in a mess for a while or stuck on a significant problem, things won’t magically turn around in a few days or weeks.
Remember that it’s about YOUR PROGRESS in fixing YOUR BUSINESS.
2. Focus on what’s relevant: Many coaches come equipped with a programme, which is designed to make your business healthier. Often they have a pre-prepared structure designed to make sure that all bases are covered during the coaching process. This is great IF it fits with where your business is currently. It is YOUR BUSINESS and you know the challenges and issues that need to be addressed. If the coach deflects your questions with statements like, ‘We’ll get to that later in the programme”, remember that YOU are the one who is empowered to run your business. The coach needs to work with you, NOT you working to their schedule. Sometimes business owners are not sure what to do next so advice from a coach is pertinent, but if you know what the issues are, make sure you start with what’s important to you.
3. Don’t forget about the money: Often, business coaching is delivered from a motivational standpoint.
The business owner is feeling isolated and frustrated and the coach arrives to motivate. While motivation is very important, it is not the ‘be all’ of small business coaching.
A key measure of success in business is MONEY. If the coach is not also addressing the money side of your business, there is a gaping HOLE that needs to be filled to ensure your overall business does not fail. While getting more sales is important, it is the cash flow you’ll generate from those sales which will determine your long term success.
Don’t forget about the money!
These three tips are not the only things to consider in selecting a small business coach, but they are a good start from which you can move forward.
Want more from your small business coach? Contact One Sherpa Today!