What’s business coaching all about? Is it for you?
Want to launch or grow your business – come along as we discover how.
Founder & CEO of Get Radical, Doreen Rainey, is the premier business and life coach in the Washington, D.C. metro area. HerExchange sits down with Doreen to get the inside scoop on business coaching.
SG: Let’s start with the basics, who should considering business coaching?
DR: Anyone in business should consider having a coach at any stage in their business, but it’s important to know that there are different coaches for different stages.
If you are a new entrepreneur, it’s critical to find a coach who has been there, done that to save time, money, energy and frustration. For a new start-up, the idea of investing in a business coach can seem daunting because finances are tight; measure the impact of not having a good coach and going at it on your own.
There are alternatives to consider, some organizations have quality content in their monthly workshop or classes. Coaching doesn’t necessarily have to mean a person, think of coaching as a concept and choose the type of coaching most beneficial for you.
SG: There are a lot of coaches out there, it can be overwhelming – how do you select the right person for you?
DR: Before you begin looking for a coach, it’s important to honestly assess your business and then find a coach that specializes in where you are in your business right now and what your needs are. If a coach specializes in taking clients from six to seven figure incomes, that’s great, but probably not the right coach for someone just starting their business. Instead, find a coach that specializes in launching and growing start-ups because for this person it’s all about the next step; how to generate consistent revenue, creating a web presence and positioning themselves as the expert.
Do not be afraid to ask potential coaches, “How can you help me reach my goals?” Let them tell you their process and specialty, and ask yourself, does this resonate with me? Also, ask for references, “Who have you done this for and can I speak with him/her?” Ask the reference about the coaches methods, availability and reliability. Frame your questions around results. Ask the reference about what they learned from the coach and how they, and their business, grew from the coaching experience.
A good business coach should have an actual plan; a system, method, or proven way of taking you from where you are to your goals. A coach must be able to articulate their process and how it will work for you.
No business coach will guarantee you results, but they should be able to guarantee you their process; working through that process should greatly increase your chances of success and getting that success faster.
SG: What is your approach to coaching?
DR: I have three distinct roles I can play for a client: coach, consultant, or mentor. Clients must take a step back and say, “What do I need now?”
When I work with people who are either just starting out or who have been in business for less than 3 or 4 years, we begin with a full day retreat. It is critical for me to really get to know the client and the business. I challenge the client about where they are in their business and their goals. At the end of the day, we have a clear blue print for their business.
Many entrepreneurs fall into “shiny object syndrome,” they go to an event and hear some great idea, run home and forget about everything else they’ve been working on to start working on this new idea. And then, next month they go to a different event and the same thing happens. There is not a consistent vision, they’re jumping around; I help them focus.
SG: It’s an easy trap – I was guilty of jumping around early on! What should people know about starting their business?
DR: People should always remember that a self-made millionaire doesn’t exist; no one gets to the top on their own! At some point you have to be willing to allow others to help you, and people who can help you really enhance your business will probably charge you. There is something to be said for a structured process to to grow your business in a way that reduces your financial impact and reduces your learning curve.
Is business coaching for you?? It’s for me – coaching has changed the trajectory of my business!!
-Stephanie Goetsch, February 2011
