Casey Gollan asks Do You Really Need a Business Coach?
(PRWEB) July 12, 2013 -- “Defining what coaching is, how your business can benefit from it, and how to find the right coach are all key elements to getting the best possible results for your business,” says leading Australian business coach Gollan. In his latest bulletin, simply entitled Do You Really Need a Business Coach? he starts by giving the definition of what a business coach is NOT.
A business coach is not a therapist, life coach, consultant or employee, he says. A business coach’s primary role is not that of friend, yes-man, or cheerleader. Companies do not hire a business coach to run their business, any more than an individual would hire a tennis coach to play the game on their behalf.
Gollan refers to Sherpa Coaching’s definition in their 7th annual Executive Coaching Survey:
“Executive coaching means regular meetings between a business leader and a trained facilitator, designed to produce positive changes in business behavior in a limited time frame.”
Another definition he attests to thanks to its focus on process, is Eric Parsloe, director of The OCM, and author of The Manager as Coach and Mentor:
“A process that enables learning and development to occur and thus performance to improve. To be successful a Coach requires a knowledge and understanding of process as well as the variety of styles, skills and techniques that are appropriate to the context in which the coaching takes place.”
According to research by the Harvard Business Review, the top three reasons companies hire a business coach are:
1. To develop high potentials or to facilitate transition (48%)
2. To act as a sounding board (26%)
3. To address derailing behaviour (12%)
Business owners are realising more and more that growing their business is less about reacting, and more about continual improvements in terms of efficiency, productivity, team building, communication, and leadership, says Gollan.
While in the not-too-distant past, business coaches were primarily contracted to put out fires, or to address systemic problems within a company, now only a small minority of business owners hire business coaches in order to address negative situations. The majority hire a business coach for reasons such as:
• Accountability
• Goal-Setting
• Mentoring
• Helping with development of skill sets
• Assisting with transitions
• Identifying new opportunities or areas of potential improvement
• Suggesting improvements on systems or skills that are already working well in order to facilitate growth
• Encouraging personal and professional growth in terms of leadership or communication skills
Every business is different, so coaching will look a little different for each one, points out top business consultant Gollan. The bottom line is that business coaching provides the opportunity to figure out new, more efficient ways of running a business, and most importantly, to achieve growth previously considered impossible.
Companies who have never worked with a business coach before can view it as a pretty big financial commitment. But it can lead to accelerated financial growth.
Contrary to common beliefs, business coaching isn’t just for fledgling businesses that are in need of help, but for successful business who want to be even more successful. A good coach will work with a business to identify areas that could use improvement, accelerating growth while, at the same time, saving time and money. He or she will also provide a business with a safe and supportive environment where they can both explore possible changes together.
According to a 2009 study by the International Coach Federation, 96% of clients would hire a business coach again if they found themselves in the same circumstances again. In addition, clients reported a 70% increase in work performance after coaching, 61% improvement in business management, and 51% improvement in team effectiveness. And as for concerns over initial outlay, 86% of companies reported earning back at least their investment in coaching.
There are a number of steps a business can take to ensure they choose the most suitable and effective business coach. These include asking for recommendations, highlighting important issues, interviewing potential candidates and asking for testimonials.
Gollan adds: “I specialize in guiding businesses through growth. I work small business, all the way up to massive multi-national companies. Find out what your coach is interested in, what they’re good at, and who they typically work with. Determine if you’re a good fit, before you get in too deep.”
For more business coaching advice, case studies and essential business know-how see Gollan’s website today.
Casey Gollan, Casey G Pty LTD, 1 800 680 993, [email protected]
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