4 Tips For Hiring A Local Small Business Coach
Starting and running a small business is hard work. There are a million things to think about and do, and it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s where a local small business coach comes in. A good coach will help you focus on what’s important, set goals, and make a plan to achieve them.
If you’re thinking about hiring a small business coach, here are five tips to help you find the right one for your business:
1. Figure out what you need coaching on:
Before you start looking for a coach, think about what you want to get out of the experience. Do you want someone to help you with marketing? Or maybe marketing and sales? Or maybe just one-on-one time with an expert who can give specific advice on how to improve your business? Once you know what you need, it will be easier to find someone who can deliver it.
2. Do some research and make a shortlist:
Once you’ve figured out what you need coaching on, it’s time to do some research and make a shortlist of potential coaches. Unfortunately, there are no official certifications or qualifications for small business coaches, so it’s up to you how much research you want to do before making an appointment with one of them. Here are some ideas:
- Ask friends who own businesses if they would recommend a coach.
- You can check the local business directory
- Use LinkedIn or Google search results to find local coaches
3. Ask questions:
You may be tempted to skip this step and go straight for the interview, but don’t rush into things until you know what you’re getting into. When you speak with potential coaches, ask them about their experience working with small businesses like yours, their credentials and certifications, their fees and payment terms, any client testimonials they have available (if applicable), whether they have a referral program and how it works — basically anything that will give you an idea of what to expect from them if you hire them for coaching services.
4. Talk to their references:
Before signing on with someone, talk with their past clients and ask questions like: How long did they work with them? What did they do for them? What kind of results did they get? If the person you’re considering doesn’t have any references or testimonials from past clients available online or via email, that should raise an alarm for you.
When you take the time to find a local small business coach who meets your needs, it can be the best investment you make for your business.
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