Choosing to become an entrepreneur or your own boss comes with advantages — one of which is a greater level of independence. However, all the responsibilities and logistics that come with running a company can get confusing and tedious. The beauty of operating a business is that you do not have to do it alone. Hiring a business coach can greatly help and improve your brand. If you want to go down this path, here is everything you need to know about business coaching.
What Is Business Coaching?
Think of a business coach as someone who provides professional guidance to a business owner or entrepreneur. A business coach will sit down with you and discuss your desired goals and how you can accomplish them. They are there to lend advice, offer suggestions, and be a resource. They are the person you turn to when you feel stuck or when challenges arise.
You can have a business coach no matter your industry. A coach will make you feel comfortable enough to go to them with any issues, concerns or questions. A business coach typically meets with their clients a few times a month or more if requested. You can work out a schedule that suits both parties.
How Does Someone Become a Business Coach?
There are many ways to become a business coach. To get some experience under your belt, consider offering your services for free or at reduced prices. Early on, we recommend checking out different coaching and business seminars, classes, videos or courses. That will help you establish a foundation and gain professional insight.
While business coaching is an awesome career, understand that it takes years to be an expert in the field. And once you are an expert, it’s important to never stop learning, adapting and changing. Always stay on top of trends and how your clients are putting your advice or suggestions into practice.
If you already have experience in business coaching, join a coaching agency to help you find clients or build your own company from scratch. Weigh your options to discover what best fits your goals and lifestyle.
How Do You Find a Business Coach?
For starters, a quick internet search will pull up a host of business coaches for hire. You can find one in your geographic area or a virtual coach. It truly depends on what your needs and wants are. We recommend shopping around for the perfect coach. Do not be afraid to ask as many questions and schedule multiple meetings with different coaches.
Remember that you are trying to find the right person to help set your business on a successful path. If you are struggling with finding one on your own, consider reaching out to an agency for support. When in doubt, jump onto social media, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, and ask other entrepreneurs who they suggest.
But beware of scammers, especially if you plan to go the virtual route! Do your due diligence to ensure any coach you consider has a website, credible reviews, and accurate phone numbers or email addresses.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Business Coach?
There are so many benefits to working with a business coach that it would be difficult to list them all. Here are just a few:
- Increase in productivity.
- Increase in customer service.
- Improvements in relationships between direct reports, managers, other staff members and clients.
- Increase in retention of senior-level staff.
- More job opportunities and applicants.
- Increase in bottom-line profitability.
- Increase in revenue.
- Reduction in costs.
- Increase in website and social media traffic.
- Reduction in arguments or conflicts.
- Team-building.
- Reduction of customer and employee complaints.
- Higher-quality work performance.
- Overall improvements in organizational strength.
How Will a Business Coach Help Your Business?
The real question is: How doesn’t a business coach help your business? Your business coach is there to help you, your business, your clients and your employees. They will impart a wealth of knowledge and resources, empowering you to take your company to the next level. It all starts with open and honest communication about your vision, goals and challenges.
When you first meet your coach, have a list of short-term and long-term goals ready. Your coach will then help you devise a strategy. Your business coach will give you a game plan or an outline of some steps you need to take. From there, they will arm you with additional resources to make your goal a reality. Once you have the information, it is up to you to make it happen.
Understand that a business coach is only as good as their ability to keep you accountable. The onus is on your coach to push you and ensure you’re on track to hitting your goals. If you are not receptive to accountability, a business coach is not for you.
Can Business Coaching Help Your Clients or Employees?
Business coaching is set up to help everyone involved in your company, not just you. So while your business coach is helping you reach your goals, they will also give you tips, suggestions, strategies, and exercises to help grow the relationship between you and your clients, as well as your employees. Business coaching is also instrumental in helping you resolve internal and external conflicts.
A business coach may take it upon themselves to carefully scrutinize each area of your business. If you have a large company, we recommend breaking your requests into sections for each quarter.
What Additional Resources Will a Business Coach Offer You?
One of the great things about business coaches is that they have an arsenal of resources, connections, documents, presentations and other relevant information. Business coaches help people in many different industries, so if you need to reach out to someone in a different field, your coach will most likely have a suggestion or two for you. Anytime you feel like you need additional support, always contact your coach. They are there to help you and your business grow.
Just because your business coach is helping you improve your business and its relationships do not mean they lack experience in other areas of a company. Remember, many of these coaches started in a corporate setting and have seen the ins and outs. So, if you need help with marketing, advertising, customer service, public relations, or any other department, they have your back. All you need to do is ask, listen and take action.
How Long Should You Have a Business Coach?
The longevity of keeping a business coach is truly up to you and your company. If you feel that your coach has gotten you to where you need to go and you feel like you do not need further assistance, then you can stop seeing your coach as soon as you would like.
But, the end of the contract does not and should not mean the end of the relationship. Do not be afraid to reconnect if and when you need support or input. If your former coach is no longer working or does not have the availability to work with you, ask to be referred to other coaches that they think will fit your company, wants and needs.
Ready to see business coaching in action? Check out our blogs and podcasts to find out how a business coach can help you. Or, if you need help with social media, content, or any other marketing initiatives, let Business Marketing Engine be your resource today.