What Is Business Coaching?

Business coaching is about making improvements and changes so that you and your business perform at a much higher level, continually growing.  These areas of growth occur both on a personal level, the way you run your business and ultimately the profits you generate.  Business coaching helps to get the most out of your time, resources and investments.   Although business coaching is regularly used when companies aren't performing well, its also extremely beneficial when a company is successful to build on the success and take to an even high level.

The process of business coaching identifies areas for improvement, usually by asking many enquiry type questions so that clarity is first gained and then the most effective way forward is identified.  A plan of action is then formulated ready for the business owner to put into practice on a consistent basis.  Coaching is a process which is action-orientated.  Its not for the coach to tell you what to do, instead the coach helps you to identify what to do.

During the business coaching, new skills may be introduced and existing ones developed, along with the providing of training, guidance, support and motivation.  The overall goal of business coaching is always focused on enabling growth, efficient productivity and increasing profits in order to make the business more successful and the business owner more fulfilled.

Business coaching covers all the parts of running a successful business, such as leadership, achieving targets, sales, marketing, communication skills, planning, accountability, management, team building plus much more.

Although part of the business coaching may include some training, it is mainly focused on helping business people to realize potential and identify goals, while simultaneously providing the support that you and your organization will require to achieve them.  The role of business coaching is to help you realize what you want to achieve, discover the best way to reach your goals and provide support and encouragement along the way.

The intention behind business coaching is to make your business effective and competitive and for you as a business person to feel successful.  With the help of business coaching, you formulate a plan or strategy, identifying the steps required and start taking these steps to achieve the targets you have for your business.

You can benefit from business coaching is a variety of ways, from 1-2-1 coaching, workshops/seminars, group coaching, through to books/articles/blogs that take a coaching approach.  Choosing the right option for you will depend on the investment you are willing to make, the changes/improvements required.

Business coaching compared to mentoring.

Mentoring is usually with some who has been there and done it, and shares their experience and advice with you.  At times a business coach may include some mentoring in their process if they have some specific areas of expertise.  

1-2-1 business coaching

You've seen athletes huddling with a coach. They plan, strategise and discuss how to win the game and be their best.  It's the same idea when working with your own business coach and is focused on your individual needs.  As the coach is an outsider to your business, they offer an objective view and different perspectives.

This type of business coaching is a collaborative partnership, offering support, encouragement and a flexible structure so that you achieve more than you would on your own.  It's a unique, ongoing relationship, focusing on you and what you most want.  The approach is holistic in that it develops the whole person - emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually.  

The role of the business coach is to keep the coaching focused on clearly defined goals, challenging thinking, beliefs and assumptions, offering constructive feedback and keeping you on track to do what is needed for success.  The business owner when being coached is responsible for taking action, considering and finding ways to deal with potential obstacles, and reporting their progress.