Who Actually Needs A Coach?

Two questions we are often asked are 'why do you think I need a coach?' and 'what value are you going to give me?'

It is interesting that we have these questions during initial conversations with clients. We used to do a lot of work in the coffee sector and realised that as soon as someone steps over the threshold to a Starbucks or Costa, their mind is on a treat - a coffee they love or a cake. No option to try and force the health agenda, the mindset isn't there. Reward the customer with what they have taken the decision to do - have a treat.

Why are we talking to clients? They come to us. Usually, they have an issue they need to address or have identified a gap in knowledge or skillset they wish to plug. They have crossed the threshold of our coffee shop. Every day is a school day and recognising you need to learn a bit more about something important to your career or business is a vital part of self-development and growth.

Heraclitus said, "The only constant is change." However well you know your business, product or market, change will always be happening. New regulations, a disruptive new competitor, a new bit of kit which could make your manufacturing cheaper, even (and regularly so it seems) a new buyer in your main customer.

As everything changes, always, everyone is learning, always. Much of this is off-the-hoof experiential learning, getting it wrong and learning how to do it right. But sometimes, you don't have the luxury of time to do that, or there is a technical gap which only a specialist can fill.

So if time is precious, or skillset gaps are difficult to bridge, or you are a start-up wading through market treacle, a coach is probably the right thing for you. And to answer the other question - we always do value and are result-driven. The clue is in our name!