Elsa Shepard, Author at Arctic Finland

Coaching – Is It Worth It?

If you work as a business coach, it is your job to train and education business owners, operating managers, and all remaining employees. Running a successful and profitable business starts at the top and works its way down.

Your responsibilities, as a business coach, include getting your client to understand the important aspects of running a business, such as sales, marketing, communication, organization, and conflict resolution. This is an important job and you know this. But, there are some business owners who wonder if using the services of a business coach are worth it. It is also your job to convince them that it is.

Coaching – Is It Worth It? Really In the Long Term.

You need to convince potential clients that your service is great and more than worth the money. This is nice to know, but how? Continue reading on for a few sample ideas.

You can do so with promotional brochures and free promotional items. Sending a pamphlet outlining your services and how they can increase sales is a great idea, but these brochures often just get thrown in the trash. Include more! Add a free magnet or pen with your company name, address, and phone number. People love and will use free stuff, so your name will get seen. The struggling business owner may literally be stressing about their future and glance over to see your logo in their office.

You can do so by offering discounts. Many of the business owners who use the services of a business coach are struggling. Some are barely staying afloat financially. They need to use their money wisely. Make it seem like they are getting a good deal. Offer a small, but meaningful discount on your services. Also, include extra bonuses in your package. Most business coaches hold training seminars. Include, as a bonus, free printed guides for each employee. These guides allow for later reference, long after your training session has ended.

You can do so by offering free consultations and assessments. As previously stated, most business owner who uses coaches are struggling. Unfortunately, some wait until they are in the red to seek help. Offer free consultations and assessments. Show the business owner or operating manager that they are heading down a dangerous path. Use their records to show what they can expect the next year if swift action is not taken. Then, go into great deal about how you can turn their business around. For example, you will teach that business owner the importance of local and internet marketing, and share unique marketing tactics with them.

You can do so by being a real person. Your job, as a business coach, is a professional one. It is important to stay professional, but business coaches work side-by-side their clients. You need to show these people that you are a real person, more than just a suit. Some struggling business owners fear seeking help because they are afraid that their ideas and actions will be dissected and criticized. Yes, this is your job, but always put a positive spin on things. When soliciting business, never blame a business owner. Comment that they did many great things, but a few simple improvements can do wonders.

In short, business coaching is a valuable service for all small, medium, and large companies. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. For that reason, market yourself, get the word out, and encourage those in trouble to save their business and with your help.

Arctic habitat

Conflict Resolution Coaching

Do you have a business management degree or years of experience running a profitable small to medium-sized business? If you are looking for a new career path or if you want to increase your moneymaking opportunities, business coaching is the way to go. Both a degree and on the job experience deems you qualified enough to teach others.

When offering your services as a business coach, there are many areas of business you need to consider. Marketing is the most common. Marketing enables the public to know about a company and the products or services they sell. Your step-by-step guide to running a successful and profitable business should include marketing, but don’t forget the smaller aspects. For example, conflict resolution.

Conflict is common in the workplace and it comes in many different formats.

Coworkers have conflict with each other. Supervisors have conflict with their employees. Business owners and employees have conflicts with clients. Honestly, the list goes on and on. Although conflict is common in the workplace, it is unhealthy. It is your job to teach small business owners and their employees how to avoid workplace conflict and how to resolve it quickly and peacefully.

One of the best ways to teach your clients about conflict resolution is with role-playing. If hosting a seminar retraining employees, pick a couple from the group. Start with two employees playing themselves. This is very important. A disruptive workplace starts a chain reaction. Create the scenario where the two coworkers are supposed to be working jointly on a project, but only one is carrying their weight. Allow the two to attempt to resolve the problem themselves. Then, step in. Highlight the good choices and the bad. Then, coach these coworkers through a positive resolution. This involves calm voices, friendly tones, and no finger pointing.

Next, work on the conflict between supervisors and employees.

If the business owner or manager is present you can use them for the exercise, but you may find little volunteers. If that is the case, select one or, once again, use two employees. Create the scenario that the boss is unhappy with the employee constantly showing up for work. Start with the supervisor. They need to calmly approach their employee and state their dissatisfaction. Do not blame or accuse. Next, the late-arriving employee needs to explain him or herself. In this situation, it is best just to apologize for the delay and state it will not happen again. Excuses may lead to conflict.

Finally, role-play with a client and an employee.

All businesses strive to please their clients, but no one is ever 100% happy. If the company you are working with is a retail store, use the example that a customer was double charged for a product. They arrive in the store the next day. There is little proof that they were overcharged. In this situation, many employees and managers try to get out of refunds. No business wants to lose or handout money but think of the consequences. A happy customer tells their friends, but an unhappy customer tells anyone who will listen. Think long-term and about the company’s and employee’s reputation. Offer a refund or allow the customer to grab another of the product.

As previously stated, the best way to practice conflict resolution is with role-playing.

Unfortunately, not all business coaches are able to meet with their clients face-to-face. In these instances, create literature for the business owner, supervisors, and employees to read. Make it clear, short, and easy to read.

Regardless of how you teach your clients about conflict resolution, always highlight the important points in the end. These include the consequences of conflict. They are an unhappy client or disruptions in the workplace that can start a chain reaction. Then restate the ways to avoid conflict, such as not placing blame, talking in a friendly tone, and addressing all issues as they arise and not later down the road.