COACHING in business? Now we've all heard of a coach, in terms of a
football team, an athlete or even a swimmer, but for a business owner,
that's surely a new one.
But as business moves into the new millennium, and with the rapid
expansion of the communication and IT industry, it is becoming evident
that the world doesn't seem as big.
Markets are becoming global and competition is increasing as consumers
have greater choice. More and more business owners are looking for
that edge or the fine-tuning that can make the difference in their
businesses.
They are looking outside their normal resources for the information
and guidance they realise is needed for them to develop and educate
themselves and grow their own businesses.
In business, you're either growing or you're dying and a business will
only grow to the level of its owner's knowledge or beliefs. So the
business owners who succeed, are those who look to increase their own
knowledge and prepare to accept changes in the way they think.
To further emphasise this point, let's look at the different levels of
thinking in business.
Firstly, we have employees, thinking "how much do I get paid?", then
managers asking "how can I get more out of my staff?"
The next level is being "self" employed and their thinking is . . .
you guessed it "only I can do the job properly!" The next level is a
business owner who thinks "how can I get more money from this
business?" taking them from working "in" their business to working
"on" their business. This "leap" does involve a change in thinking and
in this process of change, having a coach or mentor is a valuable
ingredient.
The final level is the elusive entrepreneur, questioning "how can I
make more money with the money I have?"
These are of course general concepts, but it shows in business and in
life you can achieve much more by being open to learning, change and
the assistance of others.
What separates elite athletes from average athletes with great
potential? Only their thought processes, techniques, motivation and of
course a fantastic coach.
In business, it is the same. The business coach is not a consultant,
doing the work for the business owner. The coach teaches the owner how
to realise that potential, by giving the knowledge, the tools, the
vision, motivation and challenge to take the business and owner to the
next level, and to ultimately enjoy the financial and lifestyle
benefits that come with it.
How exactly? At Action International we have found most challenges in
business come down to just three areas - TIME, TEAM and MONEY.
Lets look at TIME first. A coach can help you work on the things to
get you out of your job and give you back your business and release
time to spend with your family, on your hobbies or take a holiday.
In order for you to have the time, you need to have the TEAM. Great
teams don't just happen. The coach can work on how to recruit, build
and motivate your team; on how to ensure they give the best customer
service - as good as you could give - every time, all the time. Then
the business can work without you.
What about MONEY - often the main reason for clients wanting to work
with a coach?
Action International has developed strategies that have been proven to
be effective in unlocking the potential within your business.
Focusing on sales, marketing and advertising, they provide the tools,
knowledge and systems for getting the business flying.
Business is simple, people are complicated and changing your business
can be the easy part - changing yourself and your team can be the
greatest hurdle.
The business coach will hold you to account for the goals you set and
will provide motivation, refine your skills, provide constructive
feedback and ensure that you attain the constant improvement and
success you deserve in your business.
Tony Hoskins, Action International business coach, is hosting a free
seminar next Wednesday evening at Edinburgh University's St Leonard's
Hall. For advance booking contact:
tonyhoskins@action-international.com.
www.business.scotsman.com