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Can Buying Groups Save You Money?
Let me give you a brief history of Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO). They have been around for decades. Do you know what types of businesses get the best pricing on all of the goods and services they purchase? The answer is healthcare...
Can You Really Make Money While You Sleep?
If you’ve been utilizing the Internet for any length of time it’s likely you have been bombarded with junk mail claiming you can make money “while you sleep.” Most sensible people are bound to ignore such claims of easy money. But is it true?...
Freedom! The Battle Cry of the Business Owner
"I wanted freedom from a boss so I started my own business. Now I need freedom from my business because it's running my life." Sound like you? Here are three tips to help you find that freedom. 1. Put your stake in the ground. Where are you...
Web-Site Savvy for Small Business Owners
Home-based business owners don’t have an inordinate amount of time or money to dedicate to hosting, building or maintaining a website. But you should note that the internet plays a part in the daily routine of 88% of Americans, and of those, 92%...
When To Make Your Career Move To Self Employment
Knowing when to make the right career move and start a home based business is just as important as the business you choose to start.
The First Step!
You should honestly examine the real reason motivating you to start your own business.
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Coaching Your Small Business to Success
Coaching your Small Business to Success No matter how large or small a business you operate, hiring an executive coach is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity in today’s highly competitive business environment. No matter what your management and personality style, there’s an executive or business coach for you.
Let’s face it, most business owners' stick to the tried-and-true methods. We’ve all discovered, by trial and often costly error, what works best for our companies. However, a business owner stuck in that mentality may be missing out on great opportunities just by keeping the status quo.
That’s where a coach comes in. A business coach is a trained third-party professional who helps clarify a business owner’s goals and helps chart a path to meet them. A coach will offer a fresh perspective to your daily challenges and hopes for the future.
Coaching may seem like a frivolous expense, but at least one study has shown otherwise. A study of 100 executives, primarily from Fortune 1000 firms, who employed coaches from Florida-based firm Manchester, Inc., found that return on their investment was nearly six times what each firm spent on coaching. Companies retained executives, had fewer customer complaints and saw more productivity from their coached employees. What business owner doesn’t want that?
So how do you choose the right coach? The key is to find one you trust and who challenges you without having unrealistic expectations. Some business owners see the stereotypical coach as a slick, motivational manipulator who will seek to turn them into a business mixer schmoozer. The truth is there are as many styles of coaches as there are people. Here are some tips to help you find yours:
•Know yourself and what you want. Before you even begin the process of looking for a coach, ask yourself some honest questions. What do I want? What do I expect? Are there some things about my management style that probably need to change? Am I willing to consider making these changes? What am I willing to do? What am I not willing to do? Where do I want to be in five years? In 10 years?
•Call several coaching firms and individuals. Talk to others in your field to get referrals.
•Meet with at least five possible coaching candidates. Find out how they work.
•Don’t’ be too concerned if your coach candidates don’t “get” your business immediately. Sometimes it’s best to have a coach that knows absolutely nothing about your field so that you can get some fresh approaches and ideas.
•Be sure your coach is willing to be honest with you. In fact, if a coach candidate isn’t willing to tell you things you don’t want to hear, you probably haven’t found the right coach.
•Tell your coach candidates what
you perceive your goals are right now. Also tell each candidate what you are willing, and not willing, to do to meet them. Ask them what they can do to help.
•Discuss upfront how you and your coach will work together when you don’t agree. A good coach will push you in directions that you don’t agree with or that make you uncomfortable. Sometimes a good coach will tell you about certain negative behaviors you have that you don’t necessarily want to change. Ask how you and the coach will deal with these issues.
•Trust your gut. Some business owners prefer a coach with a similar style, while others want to possess characteristics they observe in a coach who has a different personality. Go with the one you think you can best work with.
So you’ve selected your coach. What comes next? Most coaches will want to re-evaluate your goals with you first. You’ll also discuss strengths, weaknesses, problems and concerns. Next you will likely develop a plan of action. Here are some things to remember when working with a coach:
•Nothing will change overnight. Commit to at least a year of coaching before you re-evaluate its effectiveness.
•Make coaching a priority. Business owners tend to put the business at hand over every other function. However, coaching can help you cut down on the time it takes to do business. Make coaching the priority.
•Be willing to consider doing things differently. Note that I’m not saying to actually DO things differently. There’s a difference between that and considering the possibility. Most of us need to ease ourselves into transitions and changes. Being willing to change is the first step.
•Be honest with your coach. You’ve chosen a coach who you feel will be honest with you, and you must reciprocate. In fact, not being honest will most likely be a waste of time for both of you. It’s important that you develop trust with your coach.
•Take crisis issues to your coach. As the top person in your organization, your coach can be your sounding board for dealing with tough problems. It never hurts to get a different perspective.
Working with a business coach is a rewarding experience. You’ll learn about gifts and talents that you never even knew you possessed. You’ll face issues that you hoped would never see the light of day. And both you and your business will grow in ways you never thought possible! ******************** Copyright 2003 Kate Smalley Connecticut Secretary http://www.connecticutsecretary.com kms@connecticutsecretary.com ********************
About the Author
Kate Smalley, President, Connecticut Secretary. Connecticut Secretary provides freelance administrative and secretarial support services to companies around the world.
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United States Small Business Administration |
An electronic gateway of procurement information for and about small businesses. Search engine for contracting officers, marketing tool for small firms, ... |
www.sba.gov |
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SBA |
The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle. ... |
www.sba.gov |
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Main Page - SmallBusiness.com - Small Business Resources |
Find Small Business plans, advice, tutorials about organization, corporations, entrepreneurship, and smallbusiness. |
www.smallbusiness.com |
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Yahoo! Small Business: Domain Names, Web Hosting, E-commerce ... |
Yahoo! Small Business provides products and services that enable you to establish and grow your business on the Internet. Services include domain name ... |
smallbusiness.yahoo.com |
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Small business advice business start up small business finance ... |
business start up small business finance start up advice. |
www.smallbusiness.co.uk |
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Smallbusiness.gov.au redirect to business.gov.au |
Business Entry Point - Helping small business in big ways. An Australian Government initiative. The content from this website has now been consolidated into ... |
www.smallbusiness.gov.au |
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Business & Small Business |
Online and print small business publication. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. |
www.entrepreneur.com |
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Microsoft Small Business Center |
Your home for information about Microsoft's small-business products and services, tailored business advice, technology tools, and more. |
www.microsoft.com |
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The Small Business Advisor - advice for starting and operating a ... |
Advice and assistance for starting and operating a small or home based business. |
www.isquare.com |
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SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" |
A nonprofit association dedicated to encouraging the formation, growth, and success of small business nationwide through counseling and mentor programs. |
www.score.org |
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Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource |
IR-2006-2, January 3, 2006 - Temporary and proposed regulations will significantly reduce tax filing burden for nearly 950000 small business owners. ... |
www.irs.gov |
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Welcome to Small Business BC your business resource in British ... |
BC Business Services offers assistance and resources for those running or starting a business in British Columbia and Vancouver. |
www.smallbusinessbc.ca |
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Small Business Service | Home |
Provides information and advice to help small businesses realise their potential. |
www.sbs.gov.uk |
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NSW Small Business |
A site developed by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development for small businesses. Topics include management, resources, current issues and ... |
www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au |
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Business Management & Advice: Small Business Resources & Information |
Looking for business management and advice? Our website includes small business resources and information that can help you. Visit the small business ... |
www.businessweek.com |
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Small Business Lawyer, Attorney, Law, Legal Help - FindLaw for ... |
Information and legal sites relevant to small business. |
smallbusiness.findlaw.com |
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Small Business Funding Opportunities (SBIR and STTR) |
Links to Small Business Funding Opportunities and SBIR / STTR Applications. |
grants.nih.gov |
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Microsoft bCentral Small Business Directory |
Directory categorized by industry with company business card feature. |
sbd.bcentral.com |
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Our site has moved! Please update your bookmarks! |
Facilitates the sharing and exchange of information among small business development centers, the small business administration and other business-oriented ... |
sbdcnet.utsa.edu |
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Small Business Development Corporation |
Our business information services provides guidance to improve business skills and knowledge on advice on starting, buying, selling and expanding a small ... |
www.sbdc.com.au |
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