Business Coaching - Is It For You?

It seems like every time I open an email or get a message via social media, it is from someone wanting to coach me on some aspect of my business.  In fact, I swear if I had a dollar for every time I've been contacted, I wouldn't need a business.  I could just retire!  Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.  But there seem to be plenty of "coaches" these days!

"Wait a minute!  Isn't that what you do?  Aren't you Boomer Business Coaching?" Yes, that's true.  I am one of those "coaches."  Coaching is a good part of my business.  But not all coaches are created equal.  And not every coach is right for you.

I have worked with coaches in the past.  A coach helped me get past the mental blocks that were keeping me from writing the book that was rattling around in my head for years.  Another coach helped me become a more proficient speaker.  And a third coach helped me discover that I needed to follow my own advice and devote my energy and time to those things I was passionate about and not what I thought everyone else wanted from me.  A business coach can be extremely valuable to your business - if it's the right coach, with the right program, at the right time.

How do you know if you could benefit from a coach?  Simple.  Are you having problems moving forward with a goal?  Perhaps, like me, you just can't get that book from your head to the paper.  Do you want to improve a particular skill set, like speaking?  Do you feel like you are constantly running but never getting ahead?  When the alarm goes off in the morning, do you jump out of bed ready for the day or do you groan and hit the snooze button?  If any of these sound like you, then a coach may be the answer for you.

How do you choose the right coach?

1. Does the information offered fill your needs?  Working with an already  published author and coach while working on my book made sense.  Hiring a motivational coach may not have been as effective.  Motivation was only part of the problem.  I needed something more.

 2. Do they actually provide good information? When I joined the author's mentoring program, I walked away from the first session with answers to several of the questions that had kept me from actually starting on my book.  This continued throughout the program.  At times, she even provided information I didn't know I needed (interview release forms - who knew?). 

3. Do they tell the truth? If you are being promised riches overnight (or in a week or even a month) you are probably being lied to. A trustworthy coach won't make that promise.  They can't.  Only you know if you will actually use the information being provided.  Only you know if you will put forth the time and effort and investment needed to reach your goals.  The coach can promise that if you follow their guidance, you should reach your goals.  But it will take time and effort on your part.  And beware the gurus who spend all their time "proving" how much money they made. Anyone can photoshop bank statements or checks showing millions in income - even me (and I'm technologically challenged!). The real experts don't have to convince you they make money. They are too busy running their businesses and showing others how to build theirs.

4. Can you do what they do? A multi-level marketing expert I used to follow suggested the way to build my network marketing business was by purchasing leads and then calling these people every day and making my pitch. She sure was successful, but I hate cold-calling with a passion! Although these were "qualified" leads, the thought of calling someone I didn't know and trying to interest them in my business made me absolutely nauseous. Despite working with her for several weeks, I never could get past my distaste for cold-calling.  Needless to say, we soon parted professional company.

5. Can they coach? Just because someone is an expert in their field does not mean they know how to share that knowledge and guide others in a way that is understandable to you.

6. Do they run in the right circles? And by that I don't necessarily mean the "in" crowd. I mean do other experts know and respect them? The best example I can give of this is Ken McArthur and his jvAlert events. I've had the pleasure of attending a couple of these and it's a veritable "who's who" of business and marketing experts. Ken knows his stuff, and what he doesn't know - well he knows the people who do. 

7. Are you comfortable with them? This is an important consideration. Recently, I was going to start working with a new coach. I liked his program. He was recommended by many of my friends. But after talking to him on the phone, I realized I didn't like him! He had a way of speaking that I found pompous and arrogant.  I always felt like it was beneath him to waste time with me; that I was just the latest check mark on his quota of new clients for the month.  Perhaps it would have changed if I had actually started working with him. But I just couldn't get past that first impression. You must be comfortable with your coach or mentor or you will just be wasting your time and money.  Many coaches will offer a free session so you can see if you are a good fit.

Coaching made a world of difference for me.  Thanks to Denise Michaels, my book is just pages away from being finished.  Under the stellar tutelage of Felicia Slattery, I can give a presentation (even in front of people I know) without becoming a nervous wreck.  And thanks to Joel Comm and Andy Shepherd, I once again feel like I'm heading in the direction that's right for me.  (Oh, yeah - Denise...the book you helped me start is not the book that actually got finished.  Talk to Joel and Andy.  It's all their fault!)

Now I need to learn how to use videos effectively.  Anyone know a good coach? 

Jibber Jabber & Facts That Tell

Jibber jabber & facts that tell...versus stories with passion that sell.

How do you know you’ve chosen the right path? When you talk about what you do, it should be like telling a love story.

I just met with a small group of people who are…”the future top leaders of this company” We were all in Dallas on other business matters and we decided to take advantage of the time. We bonded like brothers and sisters who had been separated at birth. There is nothing like the intense energy and emotions when you are like minded…and on a mission together.
 

There is difference in “a huge meeting” and “huge mentoring” So what’s the difference? A huge meeting wears off in a week or two. Most who attend will be in another meeting just like that in 24 months. Their business will not change… because they have not changed. It’s not their fault…unless…they read this and decide to stay where they are.

Huge mentoring not only creates a successful person, but something money can’t buy…a priceless lifelong relationship.

So who wants to get out of the never ending “big meetings” and get on the inside of…”true high level mentoring?” I just opened the door for you….will you walk through…or close the door?

Coaching Can Be the Key

I have been writing a book for approximately two years now.  Or maybe I should say I have been thinking about writing a book.  That is until March 7, 2013.  That date changed everything because that is the the date I joined Denise Michael's Book Writer's Mentoring Program.  I have accomplished more since that date then I ever did in the past two years.  It's the perfect reminder of the impact the right coach can have on you and your business.

Starting your own business comes with its share of challenges. You will make plenty of mistakes along the way. One way to minimize the number of missteps is to find a good mentor or coach to help you. But every time I open my email, I have a message from some new "expert" ready to share his wisdom - and latest product - with me, for a price. They offer group coaching, individual coaching, special one-on-one coaching, exclusive coaching, private mentoring - every type of coaching imaginable.  I can be coached in person, online, by phone, or by email.  How do you know which to choose? 
When hiring a coach or mentor, there are certain things to look for to help you make the right choice. Following these steps will help you succeed faster, and keep you from spending money on books and seminars you won't ever use or having an inbox full of newsletters you never read.

1. Does the information offered fill your needs? When I started, I needed to know how to build a website, where to find products, and how to get online. A course on teleseminars or posting videos, while good information, was not what I needed at the moment. Your guru should be an expert in the area you need at the time. Example - Ken Evoy (SiteBuildIt!) for web design or Darren Rowse (ProBlogger) for creating an online presence through blogging.

2. Do they actually provide good information? As I stated earlier, I recently joined Denise Michael's mentoring program.  And I walked away from the first session with answers to several of the questions that had kept me from actually starting on my book.  This has continued throughout the program.  At times, she will provide information I didn't even know I needed (interview release forms - who knew?). 

3. Do they tell the truth? If you are being promised riches overnight (or in a week or even a month) with no effort, no investment, no skills, and no knowledge. you are being lied to. There are many ways to make money online. But they all require work or the money to hire someone to do it for you. They require the skill and knowledge to create a business plan - or the money to hire someone to do it for you. You will need to build websites, market your products or services, deliver your goods to your customers - or find someone to do it for you. And beware the gurus who spend all their time "proving" how much money they made. Anyone can photoshop bank statements or checks showing millions in income - even me (and I'm technologically challenged!). The real experts don't have to convince you they make money. They are too busy running their businesses and showing others how to build theirs.

4. Can you do what they do? A multi-level marketing expert I used to follow suggested the way to build my network marketing business was by purchasing leads and then calling these people every day and making my pitch. She sure was successful, but I hate cold-calling with a passion! Although these were "qualified" leads, the thought of calling someone I didn't know and trying to interest them in my business made me absolutely nauseous. Needless to say, we soon parted professional company.

5. Can they teach? Just because someone is an expert in their field does not mean they know how to share that knowledge with others in a way that is understandable to you.

6. Do they run in the right circles? And by that I don't necessarily mean the "in" crowd. I mean do they know other experts they can introduce you to. The best example I can give of this is Ken McArthur and his jvAlert events. I've had the pleasure of attending a couple of these and it's a veritable "who's who" of internet marketing experts. Ken knows his stuff, and what he doesn't know - well he knows the people who do.

7. Are you comfortable with them? This is an important consideration. Recently, I was going to start working with a new coach. I liked his program. He was recommended by many of my friends. But after talking to him on the phone, I realized I didn't like him! He had a way of speaking that made me feel like I was just the latest check mark towards his quota of new clients for the week. Perhaps it would have changed if I had actually started working with him. But I just couldn't get past that first impression. You must be comfortable with your coach or mentor or you will just be wasting your time.  Many coaches will offer a free session so you can see if you are a good fit.

A coach or mentor can be an invaluable resource for you business.  Finding the right one can take some time and effort, but it is worth it. Do your homework. Ask for recommendations. Check them out. Choose the one that's right for you.