1
What is a business coach?
A business coach – also often referred to as an executive coach – guides and supports you to achieve your business goals and ambitions. They help you to understand your challenges, clarify your goals and identify what it will take for you to progress.
2
How do I choose a business coach?
Anyone can advertise themselves as a business coach so it’s important to check qualifications, accreditation and experience. Credible executive or business coaches will have a Level 7 ILM or equivalent qualification and/or will be accredited with a professional coaching organisation such as the EMCC. The next most important thing is fit. Ask for an introductory conversation with your potential coach – does this person feel like someone you can relate to, someone you will be happy opening up to, someone who will support and challenge you?
3
Will business coaching only focus on my work life?
We bring our whole selves to work, meaning that there is an overlap between our personal and professional lives, and so in the course of the coaching, it is inevitable that we will discuss how one impacts the other.
4
How long does it take?
It takes as long as it needs. Each person is different. I usually offer a package of six 90 minute sessions. Each coaching session builds on the last one and this approach gives you time to try out new behaviours and actions in-between sessions and to review what is and isn’t working for you. Or, you may have a one-off important event coming up for which you want one session to help you prepare. The choice is yours.
5
Will you tell me what I need to do differently?
The role of a business coach is to guide and support. Imagine you are driving the car and your coach is the navigator in the passenger seat beside you – you are the one making the decisions, your coach is helping you to evaluate your options. As a former business transformation management consultant, I have a wealth of useful business experience which I will draw on when appropriate, but my priority is to help you identify where you want to go and what it will take to get there.
6
What are the benefits of business coaching?
Cutting through the noise in your head – and your organisation – to fulfil your potential and your ambitions. The freedom and release to discuss your challenges and aspirations in a safe, non-judgemental, confidential space, with someone who will support you, and who is prepared to challenge you. Talking to someone whose sole purpose is to listen to you and help you find a way forward.
7
Yes, but is it really worth the money?
Statistics on RoI vary widely, and the outcome is influenced by factors like coaching experience, company size and client commitment, but the research is all positive with reported outcomes in the range of 5.7x to a whopping 788% (a Metrix Global study on a Fortune 500 company)! These returns on investment are driven by increased productivity, employee retention, and overall performance.
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Research conducted by bodies such as the British Psychological Society has also shown that business coaching tends to have more sustainable outcomes than other forms of learning and development, and significant positive impacts on individual wellbeing, resilience and job performance.
