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Business Coaching FAQs

If you don't see your question here, please contact us at: CCE@consulting-task-force.com

What is Business Coaching?

 Business Coaching is a process. It is a cooperative effort designed to improve your potential so you can achieve your goals. It is a complex combination of the many support roles people play every day.

Your coach becomes your personal resource person. His/her task is to help you grow professionally and personally. 

Business Coaching is a way to bridge any gap between where you are today and where you plan to be.

Is there a difference between Business Coaching and Business Consulting ?

 YES. For CTF, Business Coaching is a personal process that involves only 5 Phases: (1) Mutual Diagnosis,  (2) Mutual Discussion, (3) Mutual Planning, (4) Client Implementation and (5) Client Evaluation.

Rather than telling someone what s/he should do, Business Coaching leads to professional growth and development that allows the individual to make better, more informed decisions for him/herself.

Business Consulting  is focused on organizational or managerial processes that involves 8 significantly different Phases: (1) Diagnosis, (2) Discussion, (3) Preparation and Presentation (4) Planning, (5) Mutual Implementation, (6) Mutual Evaluation, (7) Refinement AND (8) Mutual Continuous IMPROVEMENT.

 Business Consulting  leads to organizational change and development (and sometimes personal change) that allows the organization to g r O W AND Pro$per!

Although each process has a specific set of results to be achieved, the Business Coaching process is more personal, while the Business Consulting  process is more organizational.

*NOTE: As a result of this distinction, we DO NOT use the term Phone Business Consulting  and Phone Business Coaching as interchangeable terms.

What variety of support roles can a coach provide?

1. Advisor Relationship – someone you can call on an as needed basis to respond to questions, concerns, issues, challenges, problems, etc. (i.e. someone to react based on his expertise, but without any prior preparation). YOU SET THE AGENDA.
    Advisors say: Here’s what I recommend you do.
   

2. Mentor Relationship – someone you talk with on an irregular basis to respond to questions, concerns, issues, challenges, problems, etc. (i.e. someone to react based on his expertise, but without any prior preparation). YOU SET THE AGENDA.
   Mentors say: Let me show you the ropes (i.e. the way I might have done it).
   

3.  Coaching Relationship – someone you talk with on a regular basis to discuss ongoing issues and/or respond to questions, concerns, challenges, problems, etc. (i.e. someone to react based on his expertise, with some prior preparation).  THE COACH TAKES THE LEAD TO SET THE AGENDA – to follow-up from earlier discussions and/or focus on future directions and goals, BUT THE PERSON BEING COACHED IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
   Coaches say: My job is to support you to get your maximum effectiveness
   

4. Teacher Relationship - Someone who is responsible to lead, prepares an agenda  (based on the students needs) about a specific topic based on a set program, and then provides information, exercises, leads discussions in order to transfer  information (and/or skills to someone else), etc.THE TEACHER TAKES THE LEAD TO SET THE AGENDA
   Teachers say: Here's what you need to know about and how to do it. 

5. Consulting Relationship – someone you “meet” with and work with on a regular basis to improve your business in one or more specific areas (i.e. someone who is both reactive AND proactive based on his expertise). To be most effective the consultant is often required to prepare materials or action plans prior to or after a discussion. In some regards the consultant is a “TEMPORARY EXECUTIVE” responsible for providing both advice and producing results.

    The consultant also responds to questions, concerns, issues, challenges, problems, and may take the blame for failure, etc. Of course, you may change or alter the focus as time passes.

   A CONSULTANT SHARES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD MEETINGS WITH HIS CUSTOMERS, OFTEN SETS THE AGENDA, PREPARES MATERIALS BEFORE A DISCUSSION OR AS THE RESULT OF A DISCUSSION. HE MAY HELP YOU IMPLEMENT CERTAIN ACTIONS LIKE NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT OR MAKING AN IMPORTANT SALES CALL, LEAD A TRAINING SESSION, ETC. ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS.

   A Business Consultant says: What do you want to accomplish? I can help you marshal the resources to do it.

6. Other Models for support

   • Motivators say: Here's the carrot & whip.

   • Trainers say: Here's how to do it.

   • Therapist say: Here's why you're doing it.

   • Sport Coaches say: Here's how to beat others.

   • Some combination of these relationships - Corporate Advisory Board, Board of Directors, Associations, etc.?

With regard to coaching, what is the ideal working relationship from your perspective?

            The ideal relationship has most or all of the following characteristics:

• Clear Expectations

• Well Defined Goals

• Mutual Respect

• Excellent Communication (Active Listening)

• Action Planning

• Commitment to Implement

• Evaluation

Most important of all - You want to g r O W AND Pro$per! AND are willing to make time and put forth the effort required.

Why is CTF Business Coaching less expensive than CTF Business Consulting ?

Business Coaching does not involve as much preparation because the implementation phase is going to be up to the client.

Business Coaching does not involve the coach’s time to Implement because it may not be as feasible, especially if there is significant distance between coach and client.

Business Coaching does not involve as much time to evaluate and refine the results because these actions are more of the client’s responsibility. Coaches may discuss the results and how to improve them, but the continuous improvement is up to the client and how motivated s/he is to insure success.

These differences are part of the reason that Business Coaching is less expensive less than Business Consulting .

Who needs coaching?

Anyone who wants to improve some aspect of their personal or business lives.

People in business: entrepreneurs, business owners, company executives, managers, employees.

Today's world of work can be a lonely place; Business Coaching provides a safe place to learn, to dream, and to grow so that your work provides you satisfaction and joy.

People in transition: the person thinking about changing jobs or careers, someone entering the work force for the first time, or someone reentering after raising their children.

People who want more out of life.

Take our self-assessment quiz designed to help you gain insight about whether Business Coaching I right for you.

What kinds of challenges can a coach help with?

The individual determines his/her needs. The coach helps that person to focus on those needs and develop methods to resolve them.

For the business owner or executive, it might be learning how to delegate more, how to manage employees with ease and confidence, how to feel less stressed in a demanding, fast-paced job.

For the person in transition, it might be determining what the right job is, learning how to feel self-confident in new situations, or learning how to interview better.

For someone wanting more out of life, it might be learning how to say no, or giving oneself permission to do something enjoyable.

CTF coaches specialize in business issues.

People who are looking predominately for personal growth, should consult with a coach who specializes in these issues.

 Does Business Coaching really work?

Business Coaching works because it helps you redefine your goals and actions into manageable chunks. Every session should help you focus on methods designed to move yourself closer to where you want to be.

What are the benefits of coaching?

You gain an allay who can give you an impartial perspective and brainstorm with you on ways to move ahead.

Business Coaching also provides quick, convenient learning of alternative ideas and techniques that might take weeks in other situations (i.e. seminars, group sessions, etc.)

Business Coaching is customized. It is focused on your specific issues and needs.

As we address some of the nagging irritations of everyday business and personal life, you will gain an outside perspective.

What happens during a Business Coaching session?

• We focus on you! We focus on answering your questions and concerns.

• We discuss how previous plans and techniques have been working.

• You report on the successes you've had since the pervious session.

• You identify problems you faced, how you handled them and whether you are satisfied with the results.

• You determine what issues you are currently facing and how you propose to handle it or them.

• You determine what advice you would like or what new ideas or skills you want to develop.

• We will help you become focused on your high priority issues as you share them.

• Over time your coach will be someone who understands you and will be able to give you more effective methods for dealing with your issues, challenges, problems, conflicts, etc.

Can I work with The Business Coach long-distance?

Yes, because I work with people by phone and e-mail, you can be anywhere in the world and your Business Coach can help you.

Is Business Coaching expensive?

No, CTF has several pricing packages that are affordable for almost everyone (see our pricing section). You can receive our Business Coaching services for as little as $15.00.

How can I sign up?

Get a 30-minute Free Business Coaching Session via the phone. We consider this part of your Free trial experience with us. You get a chance to evaluate our work Free of charge. Use your Free trial experience.

Call us at 716-634-7013 to get started - find out if we can help you g r O W AND Pro$per!

What is CTF’s basic philosophy about coaching?

Business Coaching has more of a personal focus.

An effective Business Coaching helps you facilitate your own growth. However, personal knowledge and skills affect business matters, thus we are prepared to deal with both factors. 

 What is CTF’s basic philosophy about coaching?

Business Consulting  is more organizationally and managerially related. An effective Consultant not only helps you facilitate your own growth, but s/he is partially responsible for that growth.

 Can I hire a coach just for a short-term, special project?

Yes. Some clients hire a coach to help them accomplish specific goals or projects.  

 How long is the usual starting commitment when working with a coach?

CTF Business Coaching requires a one-month trial period during which we “meet” via phone for at least 8 one-hour sessions. Once we both agree that the value of this relationship is a positive one, CTF expects to develop a long-term relationship with each person.

CTF Business Consulting  requires a three-month trial period during which we “meet” via phone for at least 12 one-hour sessions.

 If for some reason you are not getting what you want out of our relationship, you can stop immediately.

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