When is a Coach not a Coach?

I threw a bit of a hissy fit the other day!

Whilst perusing one of the local business publications, I came across a company promoting its services, amongst which it listed 'business coaching'. Now, I know this particular organisation well, therefore I know that they are not 'business coaches' by any stretch of the imagination. This set me thinking about all the other companies I've come across lately who appear to be jumping on the same bandwagon and who, frankly, would struggle to coach a business out of a paper bag!!

I'm not one for maligning the competition, so I'm not going to name names. However, life is tough out there at the moment, whether you're a business looking for support to get through the current economic crisis, or whether you're a REAL coach looking to provide that support.


So, I'd like to offer a few thoughts as to what a good coach will and won't do for you, your people, or your business - so you can make an informed decision before handing over your hard-earned money to a wrong 'un!



The Won'ts

• A coach won't come into your business, spend a day interrogating you and your team, then come back at you with a glossy report telling you where you're going wrong and what they want you to do about it.
• A coach won't tell you where you should be with your business, or how to get there.
• Nor will they spend significant chunks of time floating around in your business on a regular and ongoing basis, ensuring your ship is in order and that you don't make any critical decisions without them.

There are lots of names for people who offer this type of service - some of them perfectly legitimate. BUT, they are NOT coaches!



The Wills

• A coach will work with you to help you identify your strengths, goals and objectives.
• A coach will help you design your own action plans, that fit with your timescales and commitments.
• A coach will hold a series of review meetings, lasting 1-2 hours, the purpose of which is to help you monitor your own progress, support you in identifying obstacles and creating your own solutions, whilst encouraging you to stretch your boundaries.

Ask yourself a simple question before engaging in any ‘coaching’ contract: Is this person telling me how to run my own business? Or am I being encouraged to retain ownership, accountability and responsibility, whilst being supported in finding the best way forward for my business?

In short, it’s do it their way versus finding your own way… Simples!!

Equine Assisted Coaching and Silversands Horsemanship Demo

You've heard me talk about natural horsemanship and equine assisted learning/coaching, but would you like to find out more?

The best way to get a good understanding is to be there and see the experts in action! So, here's a date for your diary: Thursday 8 July, Turbury Equine, Greetland, Halifax.

Pathways Coaching and Turbury Equine are hosting an exciting demonstration, in conjunction with the leading experts in the fields of horsemanship and equine assisted learning.

Steve Halfpenny is the founder of Silversands Natural Horsemanship, based in Australia. He will be touring Europe later this year and we are very fortunate to have persuaded him to do a demo and clinic for us here in Yorkshire.

Tricia Day is the founder of Equine Assisted Qualifications, the only organisation in the UK offering facilitator training that is accredited to the Open College Network and which also gives clients/learners the opportunity to receive OCN credits for their work. I was very lucky to come across Tricia and EAQ when looking for my own equine assisted learning facilitator training. Tricia will be demonstrating the use of equine assisted learning as a model for personal development and learning.

For more information about this fantastic opportunity, keep an eye on my blog, or contact either heidi@pathways-coaching.co.uk or centre@equineassistedqualifications.com

Tangible Benefits of Business Masterminding

I'm often asked about the tangible, measurable benefits of belonging to a business mastermind group.... as if increased productivity, efficiency and profitability aren't enough?!

One of my Success Unlimited mastermind clients summed it up really well for me this week when he told the group how great it was to get away from the 'yes boss' environment in his business. Think about it; how often do you try to bounce an idea around with your team, employees, spouse, etc, to find that they just agree with you because they believe that's what you're looking for?

And what are the tangible benefits arising from this? Well, in the last month alone, as a result of having a group of fellow business owners to discuss his thoughts with, the same client has implemented changes that have resulted in a 25% increase in sales leads and improvements in product quality. More importantly, his business has not only survived, but it has also thrived and grown, during a period when his significant competitors have fallen by the wayside.

So, you may have different issues to address in your own business, but tell me you don't want to make more sales, be more efficient, or generate more revenue and profit. You don't? Are you mad?

Success Unlimited - be my guest; what have you got to lose?