As a business owner, you are most likely a pro at putting out fires, creating something out of nothing, and motivating yourself to continue through all circumstances. However, gaining a new perspective from an expert will teach you to identify what is important and in return accelerate your success. Enter your future business coach.
When is the right time to hire a coach?
There has never been a better time than now. With COVID-19 affecting pretty much every business, many have been forced to get creative. For example, restaurants have had to shift to takeout, numerous companies have had to support remote work, and the travel industry has been flipped upside down resorting to virtual experiences or promoting safe travel within driving distance.
With all the uncertainty, it’s never too early to seek coaching. Some entrepreneurs wait until they run into problems before hiring a coach. They could be hitting an income wall, feeling stuck or unmotivated, or their business is on a downhill slope – and not the fun skiing downhill slope. While it’s important to get help as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of these scenarios, our advice is to get on track with a coach right away to avoid getting into these scenarios or at least learn ways to handle the situation.
Yes, a business can be unpredictable especially during a world pandemic. The rollercoaster of highs and lows can feel draining at times. Having a business coach by your side riding the moguls with you directing you towards smoother terrain can even out these highs and lows so you can stay laser focused on what matters.
What can a business coach offer me?
“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
A business coach is by your side to talk through your real-world problems and most importantly teach you how to come up with solutions. They might discuss topics such as creating a more efficient process, establishing goals, formulating strategy, budgeting, refining your niche, identifying your ideal customer, marketing and networking channels, creating action plans and how to stay healthy and inspired on this crazy entrepreneurial ride.
Business coaches won’t be able to solve all your problems. They will, however, try to get to the root of why these problems are occurring and teach you the proper tools to solve them and find out why it is challenging for you.
For example, you may go to a business coach to find out why your sales have been plateauing despite a strong market. A business coach won’t necessarily give you all the answers, however, they will give frameworks and ask the right questions to surface new insights because no one knows your business better than you. Sometimes it’s ‘hard to see the forest through the trees’. A coach can help you get some elevation on a hard issue so you can see it from a new perspective.. For example, you may be suffering from a bad case of imposter syndrome (we’ve all been there) and be totally unaware of it until you get a coach’s opinion.
How to choose the right business coach
While one business coach might be perfect for the person in your co-working space next to you, it may not be the right person for you. Here are some of our best tips to get you set off in the right direction.
-Choose someone with personal business experience. Hiring a coach who has walked the walk and built a successful business who is going to be a great asset. While a good coach will absolutely add value, a relevant industry coach is even better than a generalist.
-Building trust and a personal connection is important when finding a coach. If you don’t have a connection with the person, the process will be doomed from the beginning. Interview your coach first to make sure their approach and style match yours. If you don’t vibe, cut your losses early.
-Make sure this coach is an expert in their field. Are they working on their personal development? Are they putting out good content on running a business? Is the coach actively engaged in new industry happenings? Pro tip: follow this coach on social media to get a better understanding of the content they are putting out into the universe.
-We live in a world full of free information, which includes public reviews and testimonials. Read those reviews! Even better – reach out to a few former clients and have them give feedback on their experience.
Takeaway
While running your own business can be rewarding, it can also be demanding and stressful. Hiring a business coach means you will have someone in your corner who can assist you through the challenges and serve as a source of experience and business consulting that you can rely on. Coaching is a competitive advantage! It’s never too early to ski the windy entrepreneur slope with a coach by your side. What are you waiting for?
Kim Hornsby, CEO of Singletrack Accounting, knows small businesses. She is an industry expert and has helped businesses of all sizes scale through consulting. After leaving the corporate world over 20 years ago she has started, built, operated, and sold businesses across various industries. Not only is she a business expert, but she has traveled the world and built a lifestyle around mountain living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Reach out for a free consultation on how Kim can elevate your business.
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