Is a business coach worth it?

ShiftCtrlZ

I work 9-5 and am trying to build up a side business in my spare time. Last time I tried I failed because I wasn't focusing right and couldn't get it set up properly and attract sales.

This time, I want it to work. What's the best way to make sure I come through? Has anyone ever hired a business coach? Are they worth it?

And while I'm asking, what's the difference between a marketing coach and a business coach and a social media coach... so many out there, who do I need?!

InsideInsurance

You can get general coaches (often called Business) that will touch on a broad range of topics however you do need to understand exactly where their skills are and what qualifications/ experience they have to back up their claims. Typically these are jack of all trades; masters of none

If you think you are good overall but just struggling in specific areas then you can get coaches that focus on this area. They should have better expert knowledge of this field but much less knowledge on other areas. Naturally areas can be fairly broad like "marketing" to mid level "Internet Marketing" to very specific "selection of long tail key phrases to target for Adwords"

The word of caution is that anyone can call themselves a coach even if they're a school drop out whos been on the dole from the first day they legally could be. Their quality varies massively both in their expertise and their actual ability to coach.

The key idea of a coach is the transfer of knowledge -v- an agency etc who will simply do the task for you. You ultimately will be like everyone else though and never be an absolute master of every possible aspect of the business. You need to decide what is best to learn to do yourself and what is better to have others do for you.

colino

Plenty of failed businesspeople touting themselves as coaches/counsellors/mentors. However, while I think it is entirely right to connect yourself with someone in the know, someone who can help guide you, that all goes by the wayside if your previous incarnation was stymied by a lack of focus! Business isn't for everyone, so take up another hobby.

ShiftCtrlZ

colino wrote: »

Plenty of failed businesspeople touting themselves as coaches/counsellors/mentors. However, while I think it is entirely right to connect yourself with someone in the know, someone who can help guide you, that all goes by the wayside if your previous incarnation was stymied by a lack of focus! Business isn't for everyone, so take up another hobby.

lol, no danger of mistaking you for a coach!

Yes, I could mothball my dreams if I thought "lack of focus" was a permanent affliction, But I think I'd rather learn from my mistakes and go for the "losing one battle doesn't mean you've lost the war" approach.

Thanks for your input.

colino

You have put your finger on it.
Mentor: Wise sage who will help you, not tell you how, to excel in your field because they have the skills, knowledge and experience in the field coupled to great communication skills. Rewarded by cash,maybe, but enjoy giving a helping hand.
Counsellor: Will talk you through your feelings about how you are doing, "it's not your fault, it's not your fault". Nothing to add in your field, they don't know or understand it, but happy to take the cheque.
Coach: Will stand beside you cheering you on, whooping it up, no matter if you are succeeding or failing, they don't know, those that can't do, coach. Very happy to take your money until you've either got wise to their lack of effective support, or you've ran out of money.
Never known anyone, or had a client who was successful in business who needed an injection of self-belief or who didn't constantly have their eyes on the prize or focused almost to the exclusion of all else, of their ambition. Maybe support and help with issues they weren't familiar with, but no-one needing reinforcement that they should keep on the ball.

Pennywise

Plenty, if not most, businesses set up and grow without a coach or mentor. A coach or mentor won't guarantee your success either. You really need to be clear as to what you need and do A LOT of research and checking to ensure you get the right person. Many coaches do indeed have a string of failures behind them, and if they were any good, they'd start their own proper business wouldn't they? So what exactly do you want? Do you need help with marketing, or product design, or customer service? Or do you just need someone to keep giving you a kick up the bum to do the things you know you have to, you know you can do, but lack the motivation to do it? Quite a difference!

ShiftCtrlZ

Thanks for the guidance everyone. At the risk of exposing my ignorance and vulnerabilities, where I fell down last time was fitting in everything I had to do with my full time job in the day and family/children in the evening.

It's not so much managing my time, it's the overwhelmingness of the sheer amount of things there are to do and getting myself organised especially when there are things I'm not familiar with (tax, marketing and such that I'd be happy to let someone else do but feel that if it's my business, I should do it or I'm wasting money).

My business idea is sound and I have a steady stream of interest but it's all very much "spare time". My vision is to go from spare time to full-time in a way that won't destroy day job or neglect my young family.

Working hard is not an issue. It's all the guilt that comes from focusing on the business when there are so many other demands on my time. AND then when I can free up an hour or so, it's not knowing where to focus first since it all seems so urgent.

I know other women are managing to build businesses while holding down a job and a family. I just don't know any of these people to ask for advice on how they did it.

Any advice (apart from give it up!)

Mistral001

ShiftCtrlZ wrote: »

I know other women are managing to build businesses while holding down a job and a family. I just don't know any of these people to ask for advice on how they did it.

Any advice (apart from give it up!)

Have you heard of a business person who boasts about how mediocre their business is? You only hear of those special people who start their business in their spare time with £5 in the bank and have a family and a successful career etc. etc. Why do you only hear about the latter type of business person? Well dog bites man is not news whereas man bites dog is unusual. It is news because it is unusual.

Annisele

ShiftCtrlZ wrote: »

My business idea is sound and I have a steady stream of interest but it's all very much "spare time". My vision is to go from spare time to full-time in a way that won't destroy day job or neglect my young family.

Are you sure it's a business coach you need? If it's a time issue, you might be better off hiring a cleaner. Or maybe a handyman, or sending your laundry out, or getting your shopping delivered. In short, anything that can turn the money you've already got into time you can use to grow your business.

greenbee

You don't have to do all of the tasks associated with your business yourself - do the stuff that only you can do, and if the business can afford it, outsource the accounts, admin etc.

Do some research on 'mumpreneurs' - it'll give you some idea how others do it. There are lots of resources. Annabel Karmel has a new book out about it too http://www.annabelkarmel.com/mumpreneur

If you're looking at coaching or mentoring, be really clear what you want. A mentor is there to listen, to make suggestions and help you work out the big picture. A coach is more hands on and should show you how things are done so you can then do them yourself.

Mentoring is often an informal and unpaid arrangement, while coaching (which is more intensive) is generally paid. There are qualifications and courses, but no regulation - at best you can find out what methodology your coach has trained in. More important is that they have relevant experience.