The question of why you need a business coach often comes up and particularly for small businesses that feel they can’t afford one or maybe a large business that is struggling and feels its wouldn’t be good value for money.

So, let’s explore the question of why you need a business coach. Firstly most business owners are excellent at what they do and what they know, however very few have had any formal management training or experience.

I often hear other coaches try to explain the need by using a sports person as an example i.e. even the top athletes have coaches, we often hear Andy Murray changes his coach as he’s not happy and he is a very successful tennis player who of course, needs a coach.

So why would someone who knows their business or who knows what they are doing need a coach?

Well it’s simple really – an athlete can’t always see what they are doing right or wrong because it’s them doing it. So they need to video themselves and analyse and having a coach helps them with this process. In addition to the physical assistance coaches will provide a mental support, in other words ‘getting their head straight’, well that’s no different in business.

So let me explain – to be successful in business the very first thing to get straight is the attitude and approach, this means ‘getting your head straight’ so that you want to achieve, believe you can achieve and put all the necessary effort into achieving. Unless you are a highly motivated individual you will need help with this process.

Secondly and this is more mentoring than coaching, if you have not had the training or experience to cope when things aren’t going right, a coach/mentor can assist in what best action to take – a second opinion if you like.
Many of my clients say just talking through a problem with me helps them to see a solution even if I’ve said nothing or very little, its having the sounding board, someone outside the business, or a husband or wife who can provide that support or sounding board, this is crucial to success.

Summary

So why do business owners need a coach? Quite simply to help them to be better than what they already are.

Three tips on how to choose a business coach

• Ask other business owners for a recommendation.
• Find three coaches and do a job interview, you need to find someone who you can “gel” with- personality is everything!
• Speak to some of their clients and see how they have helped others.