Five Secrets to Finding the Best Business Coach for You

The best way to find a business coach is to assess them based on: their ability to identify your weaknesses, whether they offer a results-based approach, if they command a level of mutual respect, their experience in your industry and, most importantly, if they can hold you accountable for meeting your professional and personal goals.

And while just about any business coach you speak with will try to convince you that they are the best business coach for you, that is often not the case.

So where are they hiding?

Great business coaches understand that there are certain individuals and businesses that are a better fit than others – they’re picky.

That’s why you need an insider’s knowledge of how to find the best business coach – so you maximize your chance of a successful pick right off the bat.

You need these five insider secrets to find the best-matching business coach to be your business mentor.

Secret #1: Find a coach who emphasizes the areas in which you are weak

When searching for a business coach, ask them what they feel are their top three secrets to succeeding in business.

But don’t leave it there.

Their answer is the insight you need to weed out the good from the bad.

The best business consultant for you will put emphasis and importance on areas of business which you do not excel at or find important.

Asking this question is an important first step in finding your ideal business coach. But unfortunately, most people take what a business coach recommends and gravitate towards areas of business which, in their opinion, are more important.

This gets you exactly the opposite result for your business growth.

For example, if you are an operationally-focused business owner who manages costs extremely well and is good at hiring the right people, you might want a business coach who believes in taking significant but calculated risks, focusing on marketing, and increasing sales.

Secret #2: Go for results-based coaching, not the number of hours

Value for money…

…we all want it, but how do you measure it with top business advice?

When considering if you can afford a particular coach, my next secret is to not get hung up on the number of coaching hours on offer.

The best business coach offers you results instead.

In general, there are two types of business training models a coach will use:

• #1: You are allocated a set number of calls or meetings per month and when the clock ticks the last minute, the meeting is over, regardless of what results you have gotten.
• #2: You are offered results-based business consulting services comprising pre-scheduled sessions with as much coaching you need to get results – no time limit imposed.

My recommendation:

Pick #2. Find a results-focused business coach who guarantees results.

Secret #3: Find a business coach you respect

If you had the choice to buy from a used car salesman who sold your neighbor a lemon…

…would you?

A relationship of respect between a business coach and an entrepreneur is critical for a successful career coach arrangement.

Because if you don’t respect the business advisor providing you guidance, you won’t be willing to put in the extra hours early in the morning, late at night, and on the weekends to follow through with their shared insights.

Find a respected business coach whom you will personally appreciate and demonstrate that by going the extra mile in your performance.

Secret #4: Find a top business coach who knows your industry

To get the best business coaching for your business or startup, you need a coach with insider knowledge.

But how to find them?

The best way is to ask for a list of three references from your industry to see if they have coached clients with similar expertise.

If they can’t, don’t automatically assume they are the wrong business mentor for you. More digging may be all it takes, and the results could be more valuable than a so-called “expert”.

In fact:

Research shows that 57% of those who hire a coach get their investment in coaching back within the first 120 days.

You can afford to hire the best.

Secret #5: Get a business coach who holds you accountable

The most valuable aspect of coaching is accountability.

And as an expert in neuroscience and human behavior, I can tell you firsthand that most individuals inherently lack the ability to follow through on a consistent basis without accountability.

While you may not enjoy a coach who is constantly on your case, it is an essential ingredient for business growth that the best business coach will bring to the table.

Find a coach who believes in accountability and tell them point-blank that you demand they hold you accountable, even when it’s uncomfortable to do so.

But accountability goes both ways….

…so make sure that when they do hold you accountable, you make their demands a priority.

Drop everything, capitalize on your investment, and follow through on accountability actions your business mentor sets. Don’t slack off for the next six months as most people typically do.

Don’t slack off for the next six months as most people typically do.

The Best Business Coach is Now Found

Finding the best business coach is about narrowing your choices down to a few individuals based on basic information that is most likely available on the web.

Take the time to consider each one carefully and go through these five secrets to ensure you find the person who is going to be the best fit for you as an individual, entrepreneur, and business owner.

Want to take your business to the next level? Schedule a free 30-minute business coaching consultation with Arman Sadeghi.

Like what you read? Please share with your social media fans and spread the word!

And do you have any tips for business coach seekers? Leave your comment below and share with the Titanium community!