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 I
attempt to write articles
that will be
helpful to the business
owner and I believe this one will, too. It may sound a
little self serving at times because, after all, I am a
business coach. However, I get many questions and there is
some confusion as to what makes a good business coach.
Almost every life, fitness and spiritual coach out there who
has at least one business person as a client has now
attached the "Business Coach" moniker to their list of
services. Are they really business coaches? Maybe some are.
But most of them are life, fitness or spiritual coaches with
a business client.
And
believe me there is a difference. Another area of confusion
are the sales consultants or marketing experts or leadership
counselors that are now calling themselves business coaches.
After all sales, marketing and leadership are a huge part of
your business. And don't get me wrong, some of these are
great business coaches with strong areas of expertise.
Others are great sales people or marketing people and lack
the expertise to help in other important areas.
So be careful when choosing a business coach. Spend some
time finding out about the person and ask questions. See if
there is rapport. See if the person you are seeking as a
coach understands the entire business process. Read what he
or she has written. Try and understand their philosophies on
business.
In my opinion a good "Business Coach" should have a well
rounded background in all areas of the business process.
That's why generalists, or General Managers, make good
business coaches. A General Manager who has been in
different business situations like turnaround, high growth,
startup, etc will have experience in planning and strategic
goal setting, financial management, leadership and team
building as well as sales, marketing and customer service.
There is way more to a successful business than sales.
Personally, I and other good coaches work with our clients
on 7 areas of business focus that, if mastered, will go a
long way to insuring a long term successful operation.
About the author:
Mike Shannon is the owner of Shamrock Business Coaching, a
professional coaching practice that helps owners of small
and medium sized businesses increase their profits.
Written By: Mike Shannon
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