Five Things To Look for When Hiring a Business Coach
If you are looking for a business coach you will have no shortage of options. Many unemployed folks have suddenly gotten into the business of coaching others.
There is no certification process. There are no real coaching credentials. So how do you determine if the person you are speaking to is someone who will be able to help you take your business to the next level?
Below are things to look for when interviewing business coaches. Make sure that anyone you hire has all of these critical qualities.
Success
Do not hire a business coach without a thorough understanding for the success of his business. If his business is barely surviving, how good can he be?
Yes, I understand that everyone starts some time. And yes, my business was once a start-up with little revenue. So here is a good rule of thumb: Even in the worst economy, a successful business coach should be grossing at least $300,000 by the end of his third full year of work.
Anything less than that and your coach is probably a nice guy who doesn’t know much about business development.
Ask him how much revenue his business does.
References
A good business coach will be able to get some of his clients to call you and serve as a reference. Clients who have achieved extraordinary results will be happy to do this for their coach.
If your prospective business coach cannot provide you with at least five references, run the other way.
Experience
You don’t want to be someone’s first client. Let them practice on others. Only hire a business coach who has a minimum of three years of experience.
A System or a Process
Your business coach must have some kind of system or process he uses as a framework for coaching. If the coach has no specific protocol, then he is just “winging it”. That is not good for you and it is not good for the coach.
You both need structure.
Continuous Learning Mentality
All of us want to work with intelligent people. Formalized education is a good indicator of a desire to learn and grow. Your business coach does not necessarily need to have an Ivy League Masters Degree but he should be participating in some type of continuous education process himself.
If the coach is not keeping his knowledge up-to-date, then how can you be sure he is giving you the best guidance?
There are lots of fakes, frauds and charlatans out there claiming to be qualified business coaches. Do your homework. Make sure your business coach meets these five requirements.
What is Executive Coaching?
Executive Coaching is the process business leaders employ when they want to make a great living and live a great life.
High performing athletes have coaches. Winning teams have coaches. Successful entertainers, artists and performers all have coaches.
Isn’t it time you considered working with a coach to help you take your performance to the next level?
Executive coaching is about helping the business leader bring out his/her best.
