Top Tips when hiring a business coach
It can take a while to realise that you might need a little extra help when building a business, whether you are just starting out, or are a seasoned pro who wants a new perspective. And finding the right business coach can be a challenge as there are a lot of us out there!
Thatβs why Iβm using this blog to help you answer some of those burning questions you may have about hiring and working with a business coach.
The first thing I suggest is that you do your research! Check out the types of coaches that resonate with you, and make sure they align with your personal and business values. You can find out more about them in their About pages to check qualifications and life experience and ask the following...
Do you have anything in common with this person?
Do they seem like someone you could work with or learn from?
Have they got relevant experience in business and life that could help you build or upgrade your own business?
There are some coaches out there who βtalk the talkβ to convince you to work with them, but they may not help you achieve the results you want (or need!) by the end of their programme. Speak to people who have worked with the coach you're interested in working with and get their opinion on if they are the right coach for you.
There are many reasons to work with a business coach - sometimes you need a cheerleader, a supporter - even someone to challenge you - to get you out of that business funk and back on the path to creating truly amazing and life changing experiences for your clients.
A business coach can help you on your entrepreneurial journey if youβ¦
ARE STUCK IN A RUT
If you're unsure of your business direction, or need to pivot from what you're currently doing, a business coach can help you get clear on your goals.
HAVE LEARNING GAPS
Are there areas of your business that take up too much time? A business coach could help you create a plan to outsource those roles and help you focus on what you're good at.
NEED ACCOUNTABILITY
Do you need someone to keep you focused and accountable for the things you need to get done in your business? Perhaps a coach is what you need to help you get more done.
HAVE MINDSET BLOCKS
If you have some blocks or mindset issues around certain aspects of your business that you need to progress, a coach can help you overcome those and move forward with confidence.
Hereβs my top tips when hiring a business coach
Do your Research!
Check out the relevant coaches testimonials, speak to people who have worked with them and find out who they help and what their values are before you make an informed decision or make the first contact. Familiarise yourself with their unique coaching style and their course structures.
Thatβs what I did before approaching or working with the business and mindset coaches I chose over the years.
Ask Questions
Ask questions of them, check that they have the tools to help you move forward in your business. What qualifications or life experience do they have to be able to help you progress?
Please avoid the '6 figures in 6 weeks' coaches, or those βstep by stepβ coaches who have a βproven formulaβ they've used to scale their business - a 'one size fits all' process is not what you need for your business.
1:1 or group coaching?
Decide if you want to work privately one on one with a coach or would you rather be part of a membership or a group coaching programme? Some people prefer the privacy of a 1:1 coaching model where they get a bespoke and tailored approach to their business needs.
Other people prefer to be part of a community or a group that they can bounce ideas and strategies off. The choice is yours!
The Pros and Cons of 1:1 business coaching
Below, I've highlighted some advantages and disadvantages of private 1:1 business coaching to give you a flavour of what it's like to work and collaborate together in a safe environment, and what to look out for if you pursue the private coaching route.
Pros
β Tailored, bespoke coaching suited to your current requirements in your business
β Specific processes and strategies used to help you get the most from your business
β Focused accountability and action plans created specifically to boost progress
β More breakthrough moments as your coach becomes attuned to your needs
Cons
β 1:1 coaching is a bigger investment of your money, time and energy than group coaching
β A more intensive experience, which can get uncomfortable if challenged by your coach!
β You may not agree with some suggestions your coach provides for business growth
β No group brainstorming or working with others in a similar position with 1:1 coaching
The Pros and Cons of group business coaching
Similarly, I've highlighted some advantages and disadvantages of group business coaching to give you an idea of what it's like to work in a group setting, and what to look out for if you decide on the group coaching route.
Pros
β Rates for group coaching are usually much less than the cost of 1:1 coaching
β Group members support each others businesses, network & share opportunities
β Youβre surrounded by likeminded entrepreneurs with a good support network in your corner
β People in the group with different skill sets to avail of during the programme
Cons
β Likely to be a set group of topics - not all of them may be relevant to your business
β Schedule may be fixed to certain times/days, may miss classes due to other commitments
β Pace of the course may be too slow or fast for your liking
β The results or progress from group coaching can be slower than tailored 1:1 coaching
Those are the pros and cons for you as you research your coaching avenues, whatever works for you is the right move!
Discovery Calls
Most business coaches will have a βdiscovery callβ to discuss your business challenges with you and see if they are the right coach for you. At the end of the call they will usually give you an idea of their coaching process. Unfortunately this call can put some people off as it can seem like a βhard sellβ call, but it really should be a βchemistry callβ to see if you are a good fit for each other. My call, for example, is called a Clarity Call, and itβs a 30 minute, no-obligation call to discuss the challenges or gaps in your business, and the changes you need to make to address and remove them.
On the Clarity Call we will uncover whatβs going well in your business, whatβs not and where the learning gaps are and explore business roadblocks and brainstorm solutions. The Clarity Call helps you get clarity on what you want your business to be, whether you decide to work with me or not.
And thatβs how it should be, not a hard sell, but a conversation. Donβt feel pressured into working with someone that doesnβt feel like the right coach for you.
Questions to ponderβ¦
There are questions you can ask a business coach before you decide to work with them, some of which are highlighted below:
Iβve worked with a business coach before and I didnβt enjoy the process, why is this programme different?
This question will push the coach into explaining more about the transformations they achieve with their clients, which is exactly what you want to hear about! If they canβt succinctly explain what support and help they provide throughout the private or group coaching programme, then how will it work?!
My own signature programme, the Business Mojo Method is designed with female entrepreneurs in mind and is a blend of life, business and mindset coaching. We look at your life and business goals, and address the blocks that are currently holding you back from achieving those goals.
The Business Mojo Method is tailored specifically to your needs and current challenges, all of which we discuss on our Clarity Call beforehand.
Coaches on discovery calls should only recommend a course or programme if they feel itβs a good fit for you β I have had calls where I referred female entrepreneurs to other coaches as I didnβt feel they would get what they needed from my programmes.
Another popular question isβ¦
What if this is too much of an investment for me and my business right now?
The reality is that only you can answer this, but you need to consider what difference investing in you and your business could make long term. How could you earn the money back while working with a business coach and beyond?
Will investing in this programme enable you to start earning your investment back as you start working with your business coach? As I mentioned earlier, do your research and speak to other people who have done the course. Are they earning more money, finding new clients, achieving the transformation they set out to achieve?
No business coach can make big money promises (or at least they shouldnβt!), but some do, and some still go down the tired old trope of showing you the big mansion, or them working at the beach, or showing photos of a dream lifestyle. The reality is youβll have to do the work to make things happen in your business. You and you alone will have to make the decision to grow, make a commitment to you and your business, and show up and do the work. Thatβs where the best results happen.
So if youβre on the fence, investigate the programme youβre interested in β is it something that will make you money in the long run if you invest in it, or does your research bring up any red flags about the coach?
Iβve so much on my plate right now, what if I donβt have the time for this programme?
Another thing to ask yourself when looking at a business coach to work with β that sense of overwhelm! One of the first things your business coach should discuss on their programme is your CAPACITY to do the work. Looking at your schedule and figuring out ways to make your time work better for you and your business is key to a successful partnership with your coach.
It's one of the first things I look at with my clients in the Business Mojo Method, time management is key! We laser focus on making your business and life work better for you and save time on the things that donβt matter in the long run.
This is one of the first things your business coach needs to help you with, otherwise the rest of the work will compound your sense of overwhelm and you wonβt have the tools to create the time to dedicate to the programme.
What if Iβm not ready to commit to this programme?
Again, only you can answer that question, but there is great power in making a decision - YES or NO. Once youβve made the decision, youβll work out the rest!
The decision to say Yes shows a commitment to yourself and your business, on building a better mindset to tackle the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and developing strategies you can use time and time again to create your own rulebook in business.
The decision to say No is also relevant, maybe you need a few more things in place before committing to the process, perhaps the coach youβre speaking to is not the right fit for you, or youβd prefer to be part of a group coaching programme instead.
Either way, the decision is made. Itβs also OK to ask the coach if you can think about the programme for a couple of days, you may need to sort out the finances, or explore ways to find the time to do the course. You can arrange a follow up call to address any other questions you might have.
What if weβre not a good fit?
Deciding if youβre a good fit to work together can be explored on a discovery call. If youβre not compatible or youβre not sure about the style of coaching, then your decision is made. Ask clarifying questions on the call if you can, the coach will be happy to help.
For me, my business coaching approach is a collaboration, not where I tell you what to do and you do it! If I feel prospects are not a good fit on the Clarity Call, I'll refer them to some of my resources or to a coach I feel they would work well with β that what coaches should do to help people match up with the best coach for them, not pressuring people into working with them when itβs clear theyβre not a good fit. This happens more often than you think!
What if I donβt like part of the process when we work together?
If that happens, be honest and tell your coach it's not working! This is a collaboration, and you want to get the most from your time together. If youβre not comfortable with some of the strategies or business frameworks, or if you feel they wonβt work for you, ask your coach to try a different approach.
Coaching is a safe space for you to grow, and a safe space to discuss anything you feel unsure or uncomfortable with. Business coaches have lots of tools in their arsenal to help you, so theyβll find another way that works best for you.
Communication is key when working together and you want to get the most out of your coaching experience as possible, and have the tools and strategies to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Working with a business coach will include;
Figuring out the next steps to take in your business and holding you accountable for something you want to achieve in your business.
Managing your self-limiting beliefs to reduce those blocks that hold you back or fill you with self-doubt so you can avoid overthinking all the time
Celebrating the wins, big and small, and helping you through the setbacks
Working through business strategies, tools and techniques that can help you manage the entrepreneurial rollercoaster when it doesnβt always go to plan!
And for me personally, my coaching approach is a blend of life, business and mindset coaching β you canβt create a business without working on the life admin and attitude too!
While we focus a lot of our time together on tailored business strategies and mindset, my clients have to start with the basics, which will involve;
A blend of life and business coaching providing a more holistic approach to your goals. This approach focuses on you, the human being, and you, the entrepreneur
A blend of life and mindset coaching ensuring that your self limiting beliefs and blocks as a human being are worked through thoroughly, creating more self-confidence in your daily life and in your business
A blend of mindset and business coaching creates a toolkit of techniques to fall back on when the going gets tough in business, or if there's an unexpected setback
And finally..
A blend of all three coaching techniques creates the magical framework needed to boost your confidence, get excited about your business opportunities and look forward to the future.
So those are my tops tips to help you hire the best business coach for you, it can take a bit of time and research, but itβs worth it if you find the right person at the right time to help you build your business and take the steps you need to make your business more profitable without burn out.
If you would like more information on my signature programme the Business Mojo Method, or my half day session Ready, Steady, GOAL!, you can check them out on my website, www.lynseyhanratty.com, and you can also get in touch by email at hello@lynseyhanratty.com and Iβll send you my PDF all about Hiring a Business Coach.
Youβll find me on Instagram and LinkedIn, and you can check out my podcast Your Mission, Your Message and Your Mindset in Business which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music
As always you can book a free Clarity Call if you want any help finding the right business coach for you!
