What does a Business Coach do?
A Coach is not a manager, he or she is also not a player. They can often be the best of the managers and players who, with a lot of experience and wisdom, choose to coach new players and managers. A Coach helps you figure out what needs fixing and gives you tips and suggestions on how to do it. In order to do that, a Coach needs years of experience doing it themself.

What's the difference between a Coach and a Consultant?
If you want advice, ideas, options and suggestions on how to write a business plan or how to hire a programmer get a coach! A Coach shows you how to do it or helps you correct the behavior that is at issue. A Coach can spot your weaknesses and compensate for them. A coach does the job detailed in the engagement plan by helping your learn or improve the skill. If you want a business plan written, hire a consultant. If you want software written, hire a consultant. If you want someone to come in and help you learn about business plans, help you improve your sales program, help you with M&A, or try to spot where the problems are - call a Coach.

After an initial free Coaching evaluation, and if you decide to go with a Coach, the Coach should spend at least a day or two learning your business model, strategies, and concerns. After that a Coach should prepare an evaluation report or presentation on options you can take or opportunities for you to change things. Sometimes the process is iterative. The Business Coach works at the executive level, doesn't implement or manage people as part of the coaching project. Frankly, if your project or needs are greater than a few days or a week, you probably want a consultant. If you have never negotiated a website, SEO, franchise, licensing, real estate, sales or software agreement, then you probably want an experienced coach on your side of the table.

A Coach should be able to find you a trainer, a web technician, HR help, consultants, a tech writer, SEO specialist, negotiator, even a speech coach if that is what is needed!

A Coach needs to be available for follow up, and you should schedule bi-monthly or monthly coaching sessions, usually 2-4 hours. For a small company, a Business Coach should be as much a part of your support team as an accountant, an outside attorney, or your payroll vendor.

How do I know I will get my money's worth?
Frankly, it's hard to tell in advance. For exmple, neither a Coach nor a Consultant can come in and fix a broken "culture" in a short engagement. Fortunately, most problems and projects aren't that big, but you should always put milestones and sanity checks into your engagement plan and make sure you do check them along the way.

Who certifies Business Coaches?
Sadly, no one! Yes, there are plenty of organizations and 'coaches' out there giving seminars and certificates, and they range from the Tony Roberts cheerleader types to 'savant wizards' with 'magic' books to sell. There are even franchises that take teachers, investment advisors, sales associates, and the like, - train them for a week or two, provide them with a coaching book and some Powerpoints, and send them out to do business.

You should interview a couple of Coaches. If you think they are trying to fit your situation on to their methodologies, then they probably are! How does that help you? You are in business. Trust your instinct! A Coach should help you see something in your business you might have missed. A Coach can hold up a mirror for you, so that you can see how you look to an outsider, investor or customer. A Coach recognizes that you already know how "to play your game" he/she is there for preparation, advice and staying in bounds.

To Summarize:
A Coach usually comes in to work a business issue with you on an as needed basis and for quick advice - you are counting on their expertise in your business space or model. When you hire a Consultant, you specify a project in a statement of work which includes the milestones and objectives, the timeframe and the specifications for completion.

digiAssist has strengths in both coaching and consulting. Our coaches have a deep team to draw upon during engagements.

Call us at 925/249.1865 for your first hour free! We'll set you up with the right Coach or Consultant.