Have you ever worked with a business coach?

Hi Lynn. Great question. I have worked with at least 3 business coaches over the past 12 years and found the experience worthwhile, but also variable. (Even though I am a business coach myself, I value coaching and find it worthwhile).
The secret is to be absolutely clear what you want from the coaching and then take the time to find the right person.
I suggest you draw up a brief and also check out some businesses coaching services on line to see what they offer.
Also make sure that the coach is properly qualified, objectives are agreed in writing, a contract is in place and ROI can be measured.
Good luck I am sure you will find it beneficial.

I'm disappointed that there have not been more answers form people other than coaches. Unfortunately, I am not going to break that chain.

Coaching is not for everyone, and any given coach my not be the right one for you. HOWEVER, I am convinced that the successful business owner is one that knows what they don't know and does something about learning what they don't know. I have used coaches throughout my career and still do. That outside set of eyes and that accountability drive is typically what makes it all worthwhile.

But maybe you want a consultant or mentor rather than a coach. Or perhaps you work better in groups, and you should seek peer business owner groups to interact regularly with. You might want to form your own advisory board (something I totally endorse and help many set them up), to act as a type of Board of Directors to oversee what is going on and provide you input,

I hope this has provided some insight. Feel free to message me if I can provide any more information.

Hi Lynn,

I am a business coach. I get this question all the time. Here's how I answer it.

Coaching is a method for achieving greater outcomes in areas that are important to you and the success of your business. And while a great coach will guide, challenge and encourage you to go beyond your current limits, you are the one doing most of the work.

So ask yourself these questions:

- why do I think I need a coach?
- what am I willing to do or not do to develop in new and different ways?
- how committed am I to reach the goals that are important to me?
- can I be open enough to assess my current way of thinking and change in order to move forward?

Coaching is a remarkably liberating and rewarding experience if you realize that the success you get is based mainly on the change you are willing to accept and the work you are willing to do.

The coach you select should have some experience or specialty in the area of business you need help with; i.e. leadership, management, marketing, etc. They should be able to explain their process and point to others they have successfully helped. But most of all, they should be a match for you. Coaching is a very personal experience and you will want someone who you trust and feel confident working with.

Hope this helps.

I have been a coach for the past couple years, but before that was an IT business owner or self-employed for most of my career.

If I hadn't committed to coaching (hiring coaches) I never would have turned around my struggling IT firm, which I eventually sold. I have used coaches intensively for the past 5 years and have always come out ahead financially compared to what I invested in paying the coach.

Even now that I am coaching I still heavily invest in my own coaches. Many of the coaches I meet now got into it because, like me, they benefited so much from coaching in their previous careers that they became passionate about sharing what they've learned with others.

I look forward to answers from others as well. Thanks for asking this question.

To your specific question, my expectations were different based on the coach and my situation at the time. It's probably safe to say in most cases they believed in me more than I believed in myself, so my expectations were always exceeded.

Hope this helps :)

Adding to the chain of similar responses, I can attest to the many benefits of having someone alongside you as you stretch beyond your means and look to expand your opportunities. As some have mentioned, a coach or mentor is there to help ask the tough questions that you generally wouldn't put yourself through and then they should be there to hold you accountable to the promises you've made for yourself and your goals.

On a personal note, I found my biggest professional shift when I took the leap to work with a very accomplished mentor and even though I now devote a portion of my time to mentoring and coaching others, I too remain constant with seeking to mastermind with experts that hold me accountable to reach beyond the comfortable and open up new horizons each and every day.

Every Successful Business Owner must have a coach or mentor that he or she can share openly and honestly about the wins and challenges of running a company and there is no one coach fits all. Like any great business decision, research your prospects and then choose someone that compliments your weaknesses. Only then will you be able to exceed your own expectations and accomplish what is your destiny.

Now go make that choice and get moving.

Hi Lynn, I am a business coach and I have used coaching services periodically. Expectations are not always met, however this is as much about having realistic expectations as anything else. If you are seeking someone who can fix you, make you whole or catapult your business into the stratosphere, a genuine coach is not for you. If you seek someone who can and will facilitate your growth and development, who will provide accountability, who will treat your accomplishments with reverence then a coach is worth your while. The best way to know who is right is to interview prospects. I most certainly would be happy for the opportunity to learn more about you. All the best.

Hi Lynn ~

I refer to myself as a "business alchemist," someone who supports clients in working real magic to deliver their dreams. Having worked in corporate communications for ten years before launching a successful communications business, and later my coaching practice, I understand business from all sides.

And that's what a good coach can do: help you understand your business, crystallize your vision/mission, target your audience, and identify any gaps in your knowledge. A coach also holds you accountable for the action steps we co-create, celebrates your successes, and helps you refine elements that aren't working.

You'll find a business coach testimonial for me on this page (second one down): http://liveyourlight.com/GlowingR.html

I also have reviews from mosaicHUB founder Mary-Alice Brady, and a number of business clients, here: http://liveyourlight.com/services/BusAlchemy.html

Hope this is helpful. I'd be happy to have a complimentary intro call to see if I might be good fit for your knitting business!

I am a business and marketing strategist and coach and have been doing it since 2007. Coaches can't do anything unless you are willing to take action and implement what they suggest.

Every successful athlete has a coach, some have several. Most successful business people have coaches. Even Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, one of the largest businesses on the planet, had a coach. I even have a couple coaches I work with to keep me accountable and "unstuck".

I am a coach/adviser to entrepreneurs/founders of growing firms. I am also an Interim Executive - another form of a business coach.
The only way you are going to achieve the "real value" you refer to is to have a very clear written set of outcomes to your working relationship with a time table that has monthly or quarterly milestones. It just like having someone build an addition to your home with an illustration of exactly what the addition will look like, how much it will cost with a payment schedule, and expected completion date with interim phases of accomplishments. I have an agreed upon contract with clear measurable outcomes with all of my clients. I advise you to do the same.

First, your proposed coach should talk to you and lay out a process. The first step should be for the two of you to define and write down your expectations. The process should be pretty well defined. It should not be an ad hoc way forward, but it should be flexible enough for you or your coach to make adjustments. They can be useful or they can be a waste of time and money. Just like any other source of advice. If you have a local SCORE group, you might want to try them -- I think they're free.