BUSINESS COACHING
Business coaching is the practice of providing support and occasional advice to an individual or group in order to help them recognize ways in which they can improve the effectiveness of their business. It can be provided in a number of ways, including one-on-one tuition, group coaching sessions and large scale seminars.
Business coaching is not the same as mentoring.
A good business coach need not have specific business expertise and experience in the same field as the person receiving the coaching in order to provide quality business coaching services.
Many businesses recognise the benefit of business coaching even when the organisation is successful to improve sales, processes, reduce waste, solve problems.
Business coaches are often called in when a business is considering expanding, under performing, under threat from a competitor, perceived to be performing badly.
Good Business coaching practice requires the coach to:
- discover, clarify and align with what the client wants to achieve
- encourage client self- discovery
- elicit client- generated solutions and strategies
- hold the client responsible and accountable
The focus is on non-directive questioning, stimulating interest and helping clients to analyze and solve their own challenges rather than offering advice or direction.
According to a survey of coaching clients,"sounding board" and "motivator" were the top roles selected for a coach. Clients are looking for a coach "to really listen to them and give honest feedback". The top three issues clients seek help on are time management, career, and business.