7 Business Coaching Tips That Produce Successful Clients
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7 Business Coaching Tips That Will Help You Produce Successful Clients
It's easy to decide that you're going to become a business coach or mentor. Maybe you've been in business a long time and think this is a great opportunity to build another highly profitable stream of income. Or you might see coaching as a way of giving back to the community, helping others to build successful businesses as well. But it's not that simple!
While there's a lot of planning and content to create for any coaching, it's the actual one-on-one sessions with clients that are most critical. To help you out, I've put together 7 of the most effective business coaching tips. Apply these when holding a coaching session with your clients and you'll help them produce fantastic results.
Tip 1: Set Goals
Both you and your client should be walking into a coaching session with clear goals for that specific time you have together. Find out exactly what your client's objectives are and share your own expectations for the outcome. For example, your goal might be to have the client walk out with a revised, clear mission statement for her business.
Tip 2: Plan Each Session
Plan out the agenda for your coaching session, including what you'll discuss and approximately how long you'll spend on each topic. If it looks like you won't have enough time to discuss everything, narrow your focus to the most critical ones. Ask your client to prepare whatever information the two of you will need, such as progress on goals or specific questions. If there's anything that needs to be reviewed, such as a business plan, get it in advance.
Tip 3: Structure Your Feedback
As you review your client's progress, be sure to give both positive and constructive feedback. The recommended approach is to present the positive feedback first, giving praise where due. Then offer constructive suggestions for places to improve. Stay away from any negative words that make it sound like your client is doing something wrong.
Tip 4: Use Open-Ended Questions
As you discuss ideas for moving forward, encourage clients to come up with their own ideas before you offer your own. You can do this by using open-ended questions that get them thinking. An open-ended question doesn't have a yes or no answer. It requires the other person to stop for a minute and analyze their own thoughts.
Tip 5: Create Action Plans
Never leave a coaching session without agreeing on a clear action plan. The client should know exactly what they plan to do next, how they'll accomplish it, and when everything should be completed. You may even have some actions you need to take yourself.
Tip 6: Identify Obstacles
Look for obstacles that are holding back your client's progress. Together you can brainstorm ways to overcome them and give your own assistance where needed.
Tip 7: Light a Fire
Sometimes you'll have to light a fire under your clients or give them a swift kick in the butt (figuratively, of course!) Don't let your client get discouraged when the going gets tough, which it will. Be prepared with your own motivational stories and words of wisdom.
Being a business coach is a big responsibility. Often your clients are in desperate straits and are in urgent need of guidance. They are looking to you to help them get on the right track for success. Try using some of these business coaching tips to make that success happen. Your own success as a coach will follow right on its heels.
Do you need content for your coaching sessions or program? You can grab a pack of brand new FREE Coaching PLR right now. Just Click Here.
It's easy to decide that you're going to become a business coach or mentor. Maybe you've been in business a long time and think this is a great opportunity to build another highly profitable stream of income. Or you might see coaching as a way of giving back to the community, helping others to build successful businesses as well. But it's not that simple!
While there's a lot of planning and content to create for any coaching, it's the actual one-on-one sessions with clients that are most critical. To help you out, I've put together 7 of the most effective business coaching tips. Apply these when holding a coaching session with your clients and you'll help them produce fantastic results.
Tip 1: Set Goals
Both you and your client should be walking into a coaching session with clear goals for that specific time you have together. Find out exactly what your client's objectives are and share your own expectations for the outcome. For example, your goal might be to have the client walk out with a revised, clear mission statement for her business.
Tip 2: Plan Each Session
Plan out the agenda for your coaching session, including what you'll discuss and approximately how long you'll spend on each topic. If it looks like you won't have enough time to discuss everything, narrow your focus to the most critical ones. Ask your client to prepare whatever information the two of you will need, such as progress on goals or specific questions. If there's anything that needs to be reviewed, such as a business plan, get it in advance.
Tip 3: Structure Your Feedback
As you review your client's progress, be sure to give both positive and constructive feedback. The recommended approach is to present the positive feedback first, giving praise where due. Then offer constructive suggestions for places to improve. Stay away from any negative words that make it sound like your client is doing something wrong.
Tip 4: Use Open-Ended Questions
As you discuss ideas for moving forward, encourage clients to come up with their own ideas before you offer your own. You can do this by using open-ended questions that get them thinking. An open-ended question doesn't have a yes or no answer. It requires the other person to stop for a minute and analyze their own thoughts.
Tip 5: Create Action Plans
Never leave a coaching session without agreeing on a clear action plan. The client should know exactly what they plan to do next, how they'll accomplish it, and when everything should be completed. You may even have some actions you need to take yourself.
Tip 6: Identify Obstacles
Look for obstacles that are holding back your client's progress. Together you can brainstorm ways to overcome them and give your own assistance where needed.
Tip 7: Light a Fire
Sometimes you'll have to light a fire under your clients or give them a swift kick in the butt (figuratively, of course!) Don't let your client get discouraged when the going gets tough, which it will. Be prepared with your own motivational stories and words of wisdom.
Being a business coach is a big responsibility. Often your clients are in desperate straits and are in urgent need of guidance. They are looking to you to help them get on the right track for success. Try using some of these business coaching tips to make that success happen. Your own success as a coach will follow right on its heels.
Do you need content for your coaching sessions or program? You can grab a pack of brand new FREE Coaching PLR right now. Just Click Here.