When working with a business coach, it’s imperative that you are clear on your expectations and requirements right from the start. Business coaches can do their jobs much better having increased feedback and communication with their clients. Asking the right questions before you begin working together not only offers insight into whether or not they will be a good match for your specific needs, but it allows the business coach to get to know you and your company better, therefore providing more personalized support.

 

If you are considering collaborating with a business coach, here are the top five questions you should ask them. 

 

What is your coaching ideology?

 

Every business coach has their own approach and should be able to succinctly explain what their process is when asked. Even though all of their clients have unique needs, many business coaches will likely approach each situation with a similar philosophy. Getting to know how your consultant thinks and will approach your company’s issues is a good way to pre-emptively decide if the relationship will work in the long term. 

 

If you aren’t in sync right from the beginning, it’s only a matter of time before problems arise. Identifying shared or differing values in the initial meeting is critical in order to avoid problems down the line. This will benefit both parties in the end.

 

How many clients have you helped in my industry?

 

The more experience a business coach has within your specific industry, the more likely they are to be successful in helping you. Putting your company into someone else’s hands can be a nerve-wracking ide, so you want to know they have relevant knowledge and have honed their technique.

 

The coaches at Next Level Group have helped countless companies improve their practices and grow their overall business. We know that reputation and industry know-how are very important in a consultant – it allows us to help our clients be the best they can be. 

 

Can you help me balance my professional and personal life?

 

Some coaches are all about business: identifying problems, adjusting practices and increasing profitability. While it isn’t a bad thing to strive for, focusing too much on achieving professional greatness can often mean letting the most important thing fall to the wayside: your personal life. The mark of a great business coach is one who is able to not only help the success of a company, but ensure the work-life balance of those running it. The two go hand in hand: people who are better at managing the personal aspects of their lives become that much better at managing their professional life. Working with a business coach that understands this correlation is in your best interest. 

 

 

Can you give me an example of one of your success stories?

 

Bringing in a consultant typically means there is something not working within your company and addressing those problems can be stressful. Getting to know how your business coach thinks and reacts to difficult situations is one of the best ways to know if you will mesh well, because everyone handles pressure differently.

 

Similar to the interview question in which candidates are asked to describe a time they encountered a problem and how they solved it, asking your business coach to elaborate on a past success story of theirs is critical. The way they answer will give you insight into how they will approach similar issues when working with your company. This can help determine whether or not you agree with their problem-solving strategy. 

 

What is your definition of success?

 

If you are seeking the help of a business coach, it is likely that you are looking to improve the success of your company. However, success looks different to everyone. You may have a clearly defined idea of what success means for your company, or maybe your business coach can help you pinpoint it. Either way, not having a clear idea of what you are working towards, or if your coach is striving for a version of success that doesn’t align with yours, could make it difficult to stay on the right path.

 

Do you believe your company would benefit from the help of a business coach? If so, reach out to Next Level Group today. Our team of certified business coaches would be happy to lend a hand. Contact us today to get started.