How do you know when a coach is right for your business?
And how do you find one that perfectly suits your needs?
These are just some of the questions we will cover in this definitive business coaching guide.
Maybe your business has hit a plateau, and you want a little outside influence to help take you to the next level.
Or perhaps your company is already soaring, and you need a co-pilot to help you navigate the growth and ensure you don’t crash and burn.
No matter where your business currently is, this article will discuss the concept of business coaches in more detail and the benefits that can come from investing in the right one.
What Is Business Coaching?
First off, let’s look at what business coaching is (and also what it isn’t).
The term business coach, much like “marketing consultant,” is rather ambiguous. After all, you can hire a marketing consultant to support you with top-line strategies or one that will focus specifically on particular aspects of marketing, such as social media advertising or branding.
And the same can be said for business coaches. Some will be experts in leadership and management consultancy, whereas others will be skilled in budgeting and finances.
Ultimately, the term “business coach” refers to anyone who comes into your business on a temporary contract and uses their expertise and experience to help you meet your objectives.
Keep Learning: 9 Common Business Coaching Questions to Ask Before Taking the Leap (and 1 Obvious One)
What Does a Business Coach Do?
Much like a gymnastics coach can help a CrossFit athlete achieve more efficient butterfly pull-ups (you know the ones I mean, those strange swingy things the big people do), a business coach can come in and help you with specific goals, which helps you improve an element of your business.
Having a coach come in and focus on a specific element of your overall business is a great way to get support and guidance, tapping into a business coach’s expertise.
Sure, a gymnastics coach could probably also help a CrossFit athlete with their touch-and-go Olympic lifts, but their time would be better spent on the gymnastic elements, and the athlete seeks other support for lifting from an expert.
CrossFit is a weird and wonderful spectacle, isn’t it?
Foundr’s business coach, Garie Dooley.
The Benefits of Hiring a Business Coach
Personalized Guidance
Unlike coaching books that tend to provide more generic support that helps most businesses a little, a business coach can provide personalized support tailored to your needs, designed to help your business a lot.
Accountability
Having a business coach in your corner will also keep you accountable, much like a personal trainer helps keep you on track with your diet and exercise. When you don’t do something, you’re not just letting yourself down, and you don’t have to justify your actions (or lack of) to yourself anymore. This accountability can significantly increase your commitment and motivation to achieve your business goals.
Objective Perspective
As a founder, it’s natural to ask for support from inside your business or external friends and family., But t you likely won’t receive an objective perspective from either.
Your colleagues are too close to the situation, or they are worried about not being seen as a team player, so finding an objective perspective is nearly impossible from internal sources. And friends and family probably don’t understand your business enough or care about your relationship too much to say, “I think your business logo is terrible.”
Business coaches offer an outside perspective on your business. They can provide valuable insights and constructive feedback, helping you see challenges and opportunities that you might have overlooked. Most importantly, they won’t be afraid to ask tough questions, speak honestly, and say things like, “Your logo doesn’t make sense.”
Skill Enhancement
Hiring the right business coach can also help you develop and enhance specific skills. Whether it’s leadership, communication, time management, or problem-solving, a great coach can help you upskill yourself and implement benefits far beyond the initial reach of your coach for many years to come.
Increased Confidence
Everyone needs a cheeky little confidence boost from time to time. Except Beyoncé, she seems to have her confidence locked down, and rightly so.
Am I right, single ladies?
Working with a business coach can boost your confidence as a leader and entrepreneur. Through their support and guidance, you’ll gain the assurance that you’re making the right choices, and you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges that arise in your business, ultimately leading to greater success and satisfaction.
Keep Learning: 5 Reasons Why You Need a Business Coach
What to Expect When Hiring a Business Coach
Now that you understand the value of business coaches, you might be tempted to close this tab, hit the search of your choice (you seem like a Googler to me), and start hunting for a business coach.
But before you go – and miss our secret business coaching tip at the end of this article – let’s look at what you should expect when hiring a business coach. While each business relationship is different, you can expect the framework to look a little like this:
- Transparent discussion with your coach about your goals.
- Initial assessment by your coach to understand the current state of your business.
- Create an action plan to reach your goals.
- Conduct regular check-ins to stay accountable.
- Assess the results as you work through the strategy.
Keep Learning: Do I Really Need Business Coaching? The Answer Might Be No
How to Find the Perfect Business Coach for You
With all that in mind, you’re likely eager to start your search for the perfect business coach for your needs.
Well, why not let us do the heavy lifting for you?
With our ecommerce coaching, you can get access to personalized coaching from a successful ecommerce entrepreneur who shows you what to do, holds you accountable, and helps you build your dream online business month after month.
The best part? We’ve vetted all the candidates for you, so you know you’ll only be working with the best of the best.
