Before You Hire a Business Coach, Turn the Tables

Recently, Inc. Magazine published an article about executives, and their success stories with coaches. Not everyone needs a coach, and few will find coaching effective. Before you think about hiring a firm or an individual for this purpose, make sure you dealing with a person (or a firm) that regularly takes the advice that they give to their clients.

Some people simply don't take advice. These people believe that their experience and education do not require that they continue learning, exploring or asking for help. You have met people with this type of personality, and so have I. Beware this attribute in your coach. Look for the warning signs of inflexibility and superiority. Remember that your coach is running a business, which means that the advice they give you should reflect the Coach's day-to-day business practices.

Ask your coach if they take advice from others? If so, when? From Whom? What were the results? Also, when the coach makes a suggestion for you to change your habits, your focus, or your business plan, ask for specific success stories from others who implemented these changes. Still not convinced, ask for references of people involved in these success stories. You coach should have them.
Business coaches can be valuable. For additional insight into Business Coaching and it's usefulness to your business, see an article in the Small Business Section of Business Week.

Bottom line, your business coach should regularly take the advice he (or she) gives. If you are looking for an honest coach, contact us or find another coach through a respectable directory.