Coaching the Business Forward

In one poignant comment as I prepared to leave a client, the owner sighed, ‘’We’ll never be able to do this alone”.

With an on-going coaching process, that client could concentrate, in less than an hour of weekly phone conversation, on the goals, the tasks, and the accomplishments, and move on to future growth. They could be delivering on their goals and setting new stretch targets by now.

There’s a good reason that coaching has become a business profession.

People need help.Here’s why smart clients add coaching to a consulting engagement. Without it, the consultant comes in to work with a particular group or individual on a particular issue. Relationships are built, plans are laid, and hopes are raised.

Then both parties agree that the most frustrating thing is this:

The best-laid plans are not followed through.

Life intervenes. The day after the consultant leaves, some fire needs to be put out. Old habits are hard to break. A new skill or method of managing must be practiced or be lost. Despite our best intentions, that great, inspiring plan for action is buried under a pile of “urgent but not important” tasks.

A coach can staunch that energy drain from the important to the daily and mundane. How? By being there so…

· You can focus on that crucial initiative at scheduled times that don't get lost in the day-to-day.
· You can get back on track, or switch to the right one

Help

-staying on track.
-figuring out what the track is.
-finding the right track for them.

· You have a confidential sounding board who will listen, provide feedback and celebrate success!

On-going coaching is vital to to help teams over the humps of implementing those new ideas with real people in the real business.

The real value in on-going coaching of key personnel after a consulting engagement:  You

· Maintain momentum
· Focus again and again (and again) on the goals
· Encourage and provide new skills
· Deliver results.

The cost? Incremental to the initial engagement.

The benefits? With coaching, the client will:

· Be able to run the business rather than the business running them.
· Be far more likely to meet the goals.
· Accomplish goals, tasks and projects much more quickly.
· Set better goals in a healthier way.
· Deal with fewer problems and resolve the rest better.
· Make fewer mistakes in business and personal life.
· Be happier in work and life, and see that happiness last.


The value? Priceless.