Finding a Business Coach

You will probably be faced with finding a business coach as soon as you make the decision that coaching would help you with your business.

Before you race off and hire the first coach you trip over, there are a few things you need to consider.

First, coaching is generally a long term relationship that can be of significant benefit to your business.

However, a long term coaching relationship is a serious investment.

Not only will you will need to invest time, but depending on the experience and knowledge of the coach you select, it is likely to cost you a significant amount of money!

Second, to benefit fully from coaching, you, as the client, need to be completely open with your coach. In other words, you need to be honest with them and with yourself. You need to tell the whole truth - warts and all, or you are both wasting your time. For this to happen you need to concentrate of finding a business coach that you can talk to easily and that you can trust.

I suggest that your first step is to build yourself a list of possible coaches.

You build your list by checking out the yellow pages, talking to friends or associates who have experienced coaching, surfing the Net for Coaches, or by using the 'Find a Coach' function on any of the Coaching Industry websites (International Coach Federation, International Association of Coaches etc).

How many to add to the list? Up to you, but it is standard commercial practice to get at least three quotes for any large purchase, why should coaching be any different?

How Do You Know Which Coach to Trust?

So you now have a list of possible coaches and are focused on finding a business coach that suits you and your business. How do you know which one to hire?

Try before you buy.

Most coaching professionals offer prospective clients a complimentary coaching session.

During one of these sessions you will be able to evaluate whether or not you would be able to work with this particular coach.

Some coaches are 'technically better' than others, and sometimes the personality mix is just not right, and you will get the feeling that flogging a dead horse would be more productive!

No-one's fault, it happens and if it does just move on to the next possible coach on your list.

What Questions Should You Ask?

During your preliminary discussions or at the end of your complimentary session don't forget to ask the coach a few 'good business' questions:

What is Coaching?

If they can't answer this question without any hesitation what-so-ever, politely close the conversation and dial the next number on your list.

Do you operate in accordance with an Industry Code of Conduct?

To be accepted as members of the International Coach Federation, Coaches have to make a commitment to abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards developed by the Federation. Which code of ethics does your prospective coach follow?

What Coach Training Have You Done?

Although coaching is a relatively new phenomenon, the number of coach training schools these days is astounding. In Australia a number of registered training organizations (coaching schools) offer a Certificate IV in coaching, and there are some very well known and respected coaching schools which offer coach training internationally. Do some research on coach training and then ask your prospective coach about their training.

What Other Qualifications do You Have?

If the coach is describing themselves as a business coach, or an executive coach, ask them about their 'other qualifications'. Do they have university level qualifications in business management or commerce? There is no guarantee that they are qualified just because they describe themselves as a business coach. If you are looking for someone who is knowledgeable about business management, qualifications are a good sign that they have it!

What Experience Do You Have as a [Insert specialization here] Coach?

Ask the prospective coach about their level of experience. Just because you are the coaches first client doesn't mean that they are a 'bad' coach - they may be absolutely brilliant - but if they are still learning, that should be factored into their pricing model.

What Next?

I wish you the best of luck finding a business coach that is right for you. For more information on how coaching works, check out anatomy of a coaching session.

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