Whether you want to improve your current business or build upon a new business idea, it is always great to get expert advice on how to go about it. It helps to increase your skills and gives you clear and proven advice on how to grow your business efficiently and effectively.
A good business coach can help you boost your growth, but a bad coach can do the opposite. You don’t want to waste your money and time on business coaching that would bring you no results.
Here are seven mistakes you must avoid while hiring a business coach.
1. Not finding a personality fit
Your coach's past results may be fantastic, but if you and your coach don't have a strong rapport, you may not be able to get a fruitful result from the coaching. Both of your values must align, and he/she must be able to understand your goals on a deeper level.
Finding a coach who can have good chemistry with you increases communication efficiency between you and your coach. Take the time to check whether your prospective coach can have a good rapport with you before hiring them.
2. Hiring someone with insufficient experience
Your business coach must have proven experience in training someone to successfully run a business. Business coaching shouldn’t be mindset coaching that boosts your confidence or makes you feel good. It should specifically aim to hone your entrepreneurial skills and help you plan out strategies that could help you profitably grow your business.
Your coach must know how to bring out the business leader in you and should have expert knowledge about the real business world. An inexperienced coach can’t help you much with the practical knowledge you need.
3. Not understanding the contract agreement fully
The agreement between you and the coach should include clear confidential and dispute resolution clauses, especially when you are going to share sensitive information with your coach. The agreement should also state the deliverables of the business coaching and after coaching support, if any.
Make sure to read and understand the agreement as deeply as possible to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.
4. Hiring a coach with limited connections
Do not make the mistake of hiring a business coach who doesn’t have a wide and diverse network. The coaching may give you the advice you need to set up your business, but growing your business will need much more than that. You will have to network with people in the industry and build meaningful relationships with them. If your coach already has a well-built network, then it would be easier for you to step into the business world.
5. Neglecting the background check
Before hiring a coach, learn about he/she professional history, educational qualifications, past client testimonials, current coaching expertise, or anything you would find relevant to get to know that coach better.
Run a quick google check and scan through their social media handles. If you cannot find the information you need or find anything even slightly scammy in their online presence, you might consider finding another prospective business coach.
6. Not being specific about your goal
If you already have a business or are setting up a new business, you should be clear about the areas you need advice. A business coach can help you build strategies to grow a business idea, but they can't give you ideas from scratch.
So be specific about where you want to reach, and then ask your coach for advice to get there. Without being clear about your goals, your business coaching may end up being vague and unfruitful.
7. Hiring a friend
Do not hire a business coach within your friend or family circle. They may hold back opinions, or the coaching may go in a way that could jeopardize both your business and the relationship with your friend. You want to consult with someone who will advise you without any personal bias or hidden agendas.
A general rule in the business world is to never work with your friends or family, and it's better not to break it because you need someone who can offer unbiased opinions whenever required.
Always keep in mind to measure the outcomes of your business coaching. There might be qualitative improvements that can’t be measured, but business coaching must bring you results that can be measured in quantities and metrics. When choosing a business coach, always take a test drive by getting on a free discovery call so that you and your coach can get to know each other better and build a strong rapport.
A business coach would give you the necessary boost to reach your goals, but picking one wrongly can set you back. So choose wisely.
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