What you should look for in an ideal coach? Solopreneurs need someone to talk to for mentorship. It comes down to your relationship with the person you take as your business mentor. Coaching relationship transforms to mentoring relationship over time. Best coach is also a mentor.
Who Qualifies for an Ideal Coach?
You as an interior design business owner needs to do some research whether you want a general coach or niche specific mentor. This decision needs careful investment of money and time. It is a long-term commitment to follow the road-map provided by your business coach.
Finding an Ideal Business Coach
The best way to find the perfect match is by asking around, networking or attending events where mentors are present. You may also want to consider joining a professional association that has a mentoring program. Ask your network of friends, colleagues, family members, business associates, etc., if they know anyone who might be willing to serve as a mentor. If no one comes up, then start looking online at sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc. There’s always somebody out there!
Organizations like SBA, NKBA, AIA or ASID have resources and connections with business coaches. Small Business Association (SBA) mentoring services vs business coaching is another aspect. Private coaching doesn’t have external funding. Their digital training levels may also vary.
Interview Your Potential Coach
Where do I go from here? Where your coach fits in your business hierarchy? Accountability partner, helper etc. Once you have identified potential coach, it will be important to determine how much time each person would be able to devote to helping you grow your interior design business. It’s not uncommon for people to say “yes” when asked but later back off because their schedule doesn’t allow them to commit fulltime. So make sure you ask about availability before committing to any relationship. Know their personality type to find the best fit for your business. Know their communication style and norms.
If you decide to work with more than one coaches, try to keep things balanced so everyone gets equal attention. Also, don’t expect too much from your first few relationships; just get started and see what happens. As long as you stay focused on growing your business, everything else will fall into place.
Benefits of Having a Business Finance Coach
A Finance Coach can provide insight about income tax issues, financial planning strategies, estate plans, retirement savings options, insurance coverage, investment management, banking services, loan refinancing, education loans, home ownership assistance programs, debt consolidation, mortgages, credit cards, student loans, auto financing, small business administration, real estate transactions, and other topics related to finance. An experienced person can offer advice regarding these matters based upon his/her expertise and experience. For example, he/she may recommend additional courses of action such as investing in stocks versus bonds or buying life insurance vs health insurance. The bottom line: a good Business Finance Coach will save you money over time through better decision making. And yes, we all love saving money!
Right Time to Hire a Business Coach
Hiring a mentor is an opportunity to learn in a business coaching environment. You need them the most when you need your attention, you feel you are overwhelmed, you feel you are stuck and you need a jumping off point. A coach can be an accountability person to help you uplift and to refine your plan on a holistic approach.
For more information you can review CEU Webinar on our website under Resource Library section. If you have any questions or just want to speak with one of our professionals to learn more contact our office or schedule a strategy session to see how we can be of service.