success coaching f.a.q.

Please note that this FAQ is not comprehensive - that would be a very tall order.
Helping entrepreneurs get more business-savvy, on-line & off-line.

    Keep in touch for my best small business snippets!
What is a business coach?
​A business coach is neither a consultant, nor a mentor. Let's confirm that we agree on what the terms mean.

​For example, if your issue is that you need a way to track and manage your client data, these might be typical responses:
  • CONSULTANT: Here is a range of Customer Relationship Management Systems; this is how you install them, this is how you use them, and this is how much they cost. I can purchase, install, and configure it for you. If you like, I can train you how to use the system.  The Consultant will tell you what to do, show you how to do it, or even do it for you.
​
  • MENTOR: These are CRM systems A and B that I have used. You should use system A, for various reasons. Let me know how you do.  The Mentor will share personal experience with you.
​​
  • COACH: Would ask a series of questions, possibly "what do you want to use the data for", "do you have any existing resources that you can use for this purpose", "how technologically-skilled you are", "what is the minimum viable data set you could work with", et cetera.  The Coach will explore the situation with you to discover what your real needs are, and help you to generate options on how to meet those needs.
How do I know which Coaching offer to take?
  • Complimentary Session: If you have no idea what to do / whether to do anything with your business, book a complimentary session - we'll explore options. Note that there is no preparation for this session - we will have an exploratory conversation, led by your interest in coaching.
​
  • Power Hour: If you know exactly what you want to change, and need to choose between options. This is also a useful session type for longer-term business coaching on different topics. 
​
  • Serious Business Sessions: if you're starting a clear-cut business, or want to make major changes to your existing clear-cut business.
​​
  • Intensive Care Sessions: if you're starting a complex business, or want to make major changes to your existing complex business.
​
​​How does your coaching work?
  1. You contact me with your request via my Contact Me page - there are drop-down options to identify what you need.
  2. I email you our basic agreement, together with guidelines for preparation for our session. I provide you with 2 date/time appointment options.
  3. Once I receive your email reply, I will confirm our appointment & contact details.

What preparation would I need to do?
Preparation depends on what you need:
  • If you want to talk about marketing, you need to make a list of past marketing actions, costs, outcomes, and how you measured it.
  • If you need to make a choice between 3 options, you would need to make a list of your options, how much information you currently have, what your constrains are, etc.
  • Generally, the more factual information you have at the start of our conversation, the higher the quality of outcome for our session. Ready to book yet? Book here!
How long does each coaching session take?
  • The complimentary free Skype session lasts 30 minutes; all others last 1 hour.
  • I work primarily over video chat & email - all the convenience of face-to-face meetings with zero travel time. This minimises time and cost, with the added fun of engaging converation.
  • I provide you with a questionnaire at the time of booking, which you complete before our session.
  • I tailor the session based on your answers to the questions in the questionnaire.

What happens after the coaching session?
  • I email you your actions list (as agreed in the session), and any helpful templates. I may include commentary on our session.

What happens between coaching sessions?
  • You execute the actions on your list.
  • For example: you may need to extract performance figures, or find alternative suppliers, or document your business processes.
  • If I supplied you with templates, those would make the tasks a little easier.

What happens if I didn't manage to complete my action list tasks?
  • Your call - if you feel you have enough to work with, we deal with it in the next session.
  • If you feel you don't have enough to continue with, we re-schedule our next session to give you a bit more time. Postponement requires a minimum of 48 hours' emailed notice to me.

How will I see the benefits of coaching on my business?.
That depends on what you require coaching in:
  • marketing
  • processes
  • systems
  • business direction
  • choice of small business type
  • et cetera.
One of the hallmarks of a good goal is how measurable the outcome is. I ensure that you'll be able to recognise and measure your successful outcomes.

​Will you hold me accountable for my actions list?
​Yes - you decide what actions to undertake between session; I hold you accountable for those actions in the next session.

who is a great fit?

  • ​If you're excited & enthusiastic about your business, you are driven to achieve & succeed, and you need a coach to make it all a bit easier & more enjoyable.
  • If you are looking for someone to support you, & help you improve your decision-making and options-generating strategies.
  • If you have a great idea, and need help mapping the way forward.
  • If you feel overwhelmed by your small business, and want to manage your time better while increasing productivity and reducing your stress levels.
  • If you want to use your small business to change your world and create a meaningful legacy.
  • Learn more about me here.
  • Sound like you? Connect with me!

who might not be a good fit

I love clarity, & work hard to avoid situations where I may not be able to deliver my best results.

Some signs of a bad fit include:
  • If you are not committed to identifying & achieving your goals.
  • If you are not willing to do the work it takes to get to where you say you want to be.
  • If you are not prepared to change.