Coaching: Confused and need some direct help?
Some people need and want a more direct approach than an online system can provide.
They need business development coaching and a small business mentor, helping them with business growth strategies and how to grow a business.
They also prefer to meet face to face or virtually, exploring a whole range of issues entirely relevant to their own business and the challenges they face right now.
Small business Coaching and a Mentor.
Let’s look at why you might want to use small business coaching and a mentor.
All based on my own experiences working with numerous owners offering business advice and support, tailored to the small business market in Norfolk
Any news and information we think will be of interest to small business owners we publish here!
Help with business plans
Most don’t have anything they actually use. All too often a business plan was written many years ago, maybe in the first flush of excitement when the business started. But since then it has gathered dust and been of no practical use at all. A useful small business plan should be a route map, helping determine actions that need to be taken. It sounds trite – but if you don’t know where you’re going, how do you know if you are going to get there! A coach can support a small business owner by helping decide where their inevitably limited resources (time and money) should be spent.
Business opportunities
Needing help deciding whether to take them or not. Let’s face it, new business ideas are ten a penny. There is no shortage of ideas and sometimes the sheer number of them can be overwhelming. Which to choose, and how do you determine in any case? That’s where having a business mentor or business coach can help, giving you an experienced outside perspective.
Lack of a coherent business marketing plan
This leads to feast and famine. We all recognise the need to continually prospect, but few of us enjoy the activity. Therefore when we get busy, any marketing activity tends to stop. But we all know this is a mistake, as we need a continuous supply of good quality enquiries, certainly to grow the business. A good small business marketing plan in place, supported by a professional business coach will help stop this self destructive behaviour!
Running a small business can be very lonely
Especially if there is no management team in place. Sometimes you need a business coach and mentor to bounce ideas off. That could be general business advice and business help, or something more specific regarding business development. Particularly true as most small business owners have rarely had any formal small business training and have learnt ‘on the job’. Nothing wrong with that of course, but it has it’s limitations.
General business help
Growing a business takes a different set of skills to running a business. A professional business coach can help you with structure, processes and determining where to allocate your time, identifying any shortfalls and help needed.
Am I doing okay?
Looking for external validation and viewpoint is a sensible thing to do. All too often small business owners in particular, don’t know how they compare to their peers or competitors. This can lead to either complacency or worrying too much about the competition. Neither is healthy. A business coach can help you see yourself in a wider context.
Start Up Loans
You need to be very careful in borrowing too much too soon, but cashflow and being properly financed is crucial to any business.
In addition to the mainstream lenders, consider Government support which might help: Government Start Up Loans
International Sales
There is a great deal of help and support available from the Department for International Trade if you are looking to export. I work closely with their advisers and you can find details of what’s on offer here: Department for International Trade
Wanting new business ideas to grow
If over-dependent on one market or supplier, it pays to think of new ideas and to develop these business opportunities. Sometimes the small business owner is too close to the ‘problem’ to recognise the new business ideas necessary to grow. Having an experienced business coach and mentor, who understands the small business world can provide the support needed to explore these issues.
Small business loans and small business grants
Access to finance be that small business loans or small business grants is a common issue. Where do you go for unbiased advice and what’s the right thing to do! Most don’t even realise the vast range of options available. There are number of borrowing options, from the mainstream banks through to the new challengers, finance houses and so forth. Plus of course, grants come and go from different institutions all the time. Part of the small business help provided includes having an understanding of what is available and who to contact.
It’s always worth seeing what external help is available via the New Anglia Growth Hub, as they control many local grant initiatives: New Anglia Growth Hub
Business owners want to be held accountable
This is the most common request I get! People get distracted by the everyday pressures of running a business. This means they don’t get time to develop new business ideas, exploit any business opportunities they come across, or dare I say it even do the basics.
Stuff gets in the way!
What suffers typically is the business marketing plan, assuming there is one of course. They stop doing the everyday actions that over time will make a difference. The stuff they did when they started in
It’s worth remembering why the tortoise beat the hare, every time. It follows a plan. In our case a business plan with daily/weekly actions that lead to results. It doesn’t get distracted by new shiny things or excuses. Professional coaching can help hold you to account.
Typically the small business coaching and mentoring support I offer will include an element of accountability. Holding business owners to account for their actions, in a supportive manner of course – nobody needs a big stick. Running a small business can be hard enough already!
Small business help and coaching
Sometimes there is a need to gain knowledge. That can include creating a business plan, a marketing solution, accessing small business grants or loans, dealing with staff, recruiting, poor payers, etc. What I would call general business help.
I have an online small business training programme which is at the heart of the Business Growth Club to help here. Not based on theory but real practical examples of what works in the world of the small business owner.
This online programme is split into modules, each focussing on a particular issue with a short video and an online workbook. All proven to work.
Just about the only advantage of being in my 60’s is I have accumulated a lot of knowledge along the way! That’s why I created the Business Growth Club and offer the business coaching programmes that I do. Using my extensive experience coaching and mentoring businesses of every size and in every sector. Small business development has been my life.
Finally, of course, the key reason you should consider having a small business coach is it makes a difference!
Otherwise what’s the point and is one reason I offer a
What now?
I know through bitter experience that I can’t help everybody.
So now I don’t try to! I only work with business owners who meet my criteria.
Therefore see if this describes you:
– Genuinely want to change and are not happy with the status quo
– Will act on what we agree, with no excuses
– Want to be held accountable for your actions
– Are not afraid of hard work
– Have an open mind!
It’s not a problem if you are confused and a little lost right now, or even are demotivated and life’s a struggle. Or you could have a very clear focus and just need an external viewpoint from an older head.
As long as you display the right characteristics, let’s talk, identify what the issues are and the options open to you. No charge or obligation on either of us at this stage, as I won’t take you as a client if I’m not absolutely certain we are right for each other.
As with anything within the Business Growth Club, no contract and the money back guarantee still applies.