Do You Really Need a Business Coach? My 50-Year Advice

Hello Leaders,

Let’s have an honest conversation.

After being self-employed for the past 50 years, I admit that I have gotten away with blue murder by not always doing the things I should have been doing. It's easy to get stuck, and it can sometimes be even easier to avoid things that need to be done, especially when you are operating solo.

The question of whether to hire a business coach comes up all the time.

So, do you need one?

Photo courtesy of Brett Odgers – The Culture Coach

My answer is simple:

• If you're happy where your business is and have no desire to grow or sell it, then forget about a coach.

• But if you want a business that is truly successful, profitable, and built for the future, then a great coach is non-negotiable.

Finding the right one is critical. I must have interviewed seven different coaches before I found the right fit. You can't just pick the first person you see. You need a process.

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My Checklist for Choosing the Right Coach

Treat this like you're hiring an Operations Manager, it's that important. Here are the things I demand from a business coach.

1. Interview Them Like a Senior Manager

   This is a two-way street. They need to prove their value to you, just as you would expect from a key employee. Ask tough questions and expect good answers.

   
   

2. Check Their Reputation & Results

   Don't just take their word for it. A good coach has proof.

   
   

   • Do they have a professional website and active social media?

   • Can you read reviews or, even better, speak to one of their current clients?

   • Do they offer a guarantee for results?

     
     

3. They Must Practice What They Preach

   This is a huge one for me. If your focus is marketing, is the coach actively and successfully marketing their own business? If not, are they the right person to guide you?

   
   

4. They Need an Arsenal of Tools & Resources

   A great coach doesn’t just talk. They should have a set of proven business tools, templates, and resources available for you to use. They should have a wide depth of knowledge across different industries; business models are more similar than you think.

   
   

5. Your Core Values Must Align

   This is about chemistry. You need to work with someone who "gets" you and shares your core values. If the connection isn't there, the coaching won't stick.

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The No.1 Benefit: A Clear Lens

The single most valuable thing a coach provides is an outside perspective.

They look at your business without the emotion that you, as a passionate owner, are tangled up in every day. They can see the logical next step when you can only see the problems.

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My Final Piece of Advice

It's no good having a coach if you only do the work the night before your next call.

Use them! Lean into them.

Give them as much time and material about your business as they need to train them on what you do, how you do it, and why you are doing it.

Give them time to familiarise themselves with all the quirky things that you have created and to get to know what you are worst at.

Treat them as a vital tool in your business, available every week. Tap into their resources and expertise constantly. That is how you get your money's worth and, more importantly, how you build a business that thrives.

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Wishing you every success in the future.

Louise

Photo courtesy of Brett Odgers – The Culture Coach