With the right systems in place, being a business owner affords you the freedom to do the things that you love, both in and outside of the workplace. 

The thing is, many business leaders end up spending their time and energy on the wrong things. Then, stuck putting out fires in the day-to-day, work begins to feel more like running on a treadmill than actually making progress scaling your company.

That said, there is a way to both free your time and grow your business. And with the right guidance, you’ll be able to find your sweet spot at work and finally build the life of your dreams.

The Value of a Business Coach

Wouldn't this whole business thing be a lot easier with a laid-out roadmap? You know, one that’s strategic, actionable and proven through experience? A plan made specifically for your business and based on your current strengths and weaknesses?

Well, finding that treasure map may be easier than you think. In fact, this is exactly what you’re getting when you work with a qualified business coach.

Business coaches are people that help startups, entrepreneurs and corporate executives achieve their business goals. They're able to do this based on extensive experience either building their own successful companies and/or climbing the corporate ladder of a larger organization.

In other words, a good business coach has been there, done that and come out the other end successfully. They know exactly what it takes to run a thriving organization and are typically passionate about helping others do the same. 

Now, while each business coach will have their own unique approach, there are a few things you can expect when hiring a qualified mentor. And by having an idea of what a solid coach can offer your business, you'll find it much easier to vet potential leads and hire a good fit for your organization.

A Broad Business Experience

Running a successful business requires the coordination of many different departments. Oftentimes, individuals excel in some areas – marketing, sales, operations, or financials, for example – but neglect others. Unfortunately, this leads to an unbalanced business which doesn’t perform optimally. 

An experienced coach should have at least some knowledge of best practices in all areas of business. This diverse array of practical know-how is what allows them to identify areas for improvement and then devise strategic plans for strengthening those parts of an organization.

Therefore, when interviewing potential mentors, ask if they are comfortable offering guidance on all aspects of your business. Of course, you can't expect a single individual to be an expert in all fields, but their answer will help to ensure that you’re hiring a coach who’s capable of drafting a comprehensive and holistic business plan. 

Help with Goal Setting and Accountability

Confidently moving your business forward requires direction. And nothing guarantees long-term success quite like knowing where you want to go.

In other words, you need goals. And an experienced business coach can help you define motivating targets. Beyond that, you’ll then work together to create a strategic plan with realistic milestones along the way for reaching those larger visions.

That said, having the right plan is still not enough. You also need to follow through with that plan over time to get results. And with the accountability of regular check-ins with your coach, you stand a much higher degree of success following through with your plans. 

With that in mind, be sure to ask prospective coaches about their specific approach to growing your business. As they share, make note of whether their method includes setting clear goals as well as a system for maintaining accountability along the way. Because ultimately, that’s what it’s going to take to grow your business.

Maintaining an Outside Perspective on Your Company

While being a business owner does give you an intuitive connection to your organization, this closeness can also result in blind-spots and biases.

A qualified business coach – one not directly tied to your business – is able to maintain an objective view of your organization. This is incredibly valuable as it makes them able to identify weaknesses you may not have otherwise considered.

Many coaches will offer a brief, free assessment of your company to provide value while displaying their expertise. If you’re able to take advantage of this, pay close attention to their suggestions. A fresh perspective – that makes sense and feels practical – may be just the sign that you’ve found yourself the perfect candidate for taking you and your business to the next level.

Personal Growth and Skill Development

In addition to their extensive experience in the business world, a good coach is also that – a coach. As such, they should be highly skilled in interpersonal relationships and leadership development.

The value of working with a coach like this is that you, too, will begin to exhibit those skills as a natural result of working together. This growth may come actively (through specific assignments and exercises) as well as passively (by simply spending time with your mentor).

When you meet a new coach, ask them what their approach is to helping you develop your leadership skills. Also, take note of whether you find yourself naturally gravitating toward them. If so, make a note that you’re likely to "soak up" some of that positive influence during your time together.  

Support and Guidance Through Business Challenges

As you know, running a business brings with it no shortage of challenges. And sometimes, things pop up at the absolute worst times. 

Since trouble is inevitable, having a coach that's committed to your success can make all of the difference. Not only will a coach help you maintain a level head during times of crisis, but they’ve also likely been through similar phases many times over – meaning they know what it takes to come through adversity stronger.

By helping you navigate problems in real time, your coach effectively guides you through the process of becoming more resilient and adaptive. As a result, you’ll find yourself moving through all the seasons of business with a renewed sense of confidence and security. 

Tapping Into A Larger Professional Network

One valuable perk of working with a business coach is the ability to link into their existing network.

For one, this can help you find new clients. (Not to mention potential business partners and like-minded friends.) But beyond that, your coach can also leverage their network on your behalf by reaching out to trusted resources when problems arise that they may be unsure of how to solve. 

For these reasons, be sure to ask coaches about their existing network. Who have they helped in the past? How has their network benefited those that they coach? Are they connected with key personnel in your field? 

Understanding the potential of a coach’s network will help you find a good fit for you and your business. And when exploring this perk of business coaching, keep in mind that it’s not always what you know, but who. 

Keeping You Motivated Over the Long Haul

At the end of the day, a great business coach helps you develop your self-confidence and belief in your ability to run a thriving organization.

They do this by analyzing your operations, providing their expertise, creating strategic plans for growth and all the while supporting you and your personal development through that process. 

While it is possible to learn everything you need to succeed through trial-and-error, this can be very costly and stressful. It’s also the reason why most businesses fail – and in quick time find themselves out of money and morale. 

That being said, you don’t need to go at growing your company alone. And if you're tired of running on the business "treadmill" (and getting nowhere fast), it may be time to reach out for a helping hand. 

Although it’s easy to know when you’re struggling, many business owners still won’t seek out coaching. Worried they don’t have the time or money to commit (or whether it’s even a good investment in the first place), it can feel easier to do nothing. Unfortunately, this leaves the potential for collaborative growth on the table. 

Because Integro wants you to create a healthy, thriving organization, our coaches offer a free, zero-pressure call for anyone interested in becoming a better leader, building better teams or simply reducing workplace stress. 

Your free call is just an opportunity for you to share a bit about yourself and your business struggles. Then, one of our executive coaches will offer up some practical solutions on the spot with no strings attached. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about executive business coaching. Specifically, the cost, time commitment and practical steps of moving your business forward. 

In other words, you have nothing to lose. So, book your free call now. Because it sure beats staying stuck with the same old business woes. 

Book your free call now!‍