How To Screen Your Business Coach

In business, the buck stops with you, the business owner. The decisions you make every day can make or break the entire operation and it can get lonely at the top. Therefore, getting insights from someone who’s already been there and done that has become a valuable resource.

If you’ve been in a leadership position for long enough, you may have already found yourself in a situation where you didn’t know what to do. This is where business coaches come in handy. Business coaching is a process that can take your business from where it is now to where you want it to be, but choosing the right person can be a tricky task. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses and it’s your job as a coach seeker to find out how you can maximise your experience with your coach.

It’s a low-risk, high reward deal. If you do your homework right and find the best fit for you, you can find a coach to help you and your business experience significant growth. To help you to thin out the ever-thickening field of business coaching services, there are a

few questions you can ask to help clarify what you need and what you don’t need.

Have you started your own business?

You will need someone who’s already walked in your shoes. There is no point in getting a business coach who’s never had to talk, eat, and breathe business like you probably have as a startup. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the same industry. In fact, getting someone from a completely different industry can help broaden the conversations between you and your coach, so look for a coach who personally knows about business start ups.

What’s your experience in coaching other business owners in your industry?

Doing business and teaching business are two completely different things. You can have someone like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos in your ear while still not getting the coaching that you need. Your prospective business coach is going to be limited in the specific industry that they’ve already worked in, so it’s important to gauge how much he or she knows about your industry to make for an effective back and forth between you two.

How did you push your previous clients out of their comfort zones?

Being complacent could mean the death of your business. There’s no place where business owners get more complacent like when they get stuck in their comfort zones.

There are decisions in business that we may not be comfortable making. Lay-offs, for example, are difficult to do but are sometimes exactly what is needed. But, communicating this need is not a straightforward task. Some business owners tend to retreat into their shell when hard decisions are presented to them. Finding a business coach who naturally connects with you in a way that makes you respond positively right off the bat will ensure a fruitful business relationship. They can bring out the best in you to navigate the uncomfortable tasks.

What can you help me achieve?

Most business coaches talk in generalities. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be

less effective than coaches who can give you specifics. In this case, the “how” is more important than “what”. In a way, this question is more of a test. Usually, a specific plan of action is a good sign. This ensures that they’re in sync with you in working towards your goal.

Can I get in touch with you for clarifications and spotconsultations? If so, what is your availability?

Business coaching is a product. Like any product, you should also ask about after-market servicing and warranties. Knowing that your coach can make himself or herself available during crucial moments for you should be a priority. Remember, decision-making in business is a solitary affair. If your business coach isn’t available for a quick consult then, why bother getting them?