If you’re reading this, chances are you haven’t yet found a business coach or mentor (yes, there is a difference). Businesses who haven’t sought a business coach or a mentor typically haven’t done so because they fear it will be an expensive connection that they can’t afford.
Regardless of how your small business got started—whether it was just you doing everything, a group of nerds with a great idea and a smidgeon of business savvy, or you took over a business started by someone else—you probably look like most other small business owners in one way: you’re driven by your vision and you’re working your tail off to keep the ship afloat and on course. You do this by combining intuition with management hacking. You may even claim that your finest learning has come from your blunders at this stage. But, in the end, you know what’s best for the business because it’s the result of your vision.
What Exactly Is The Distinction Between A Business Coach And A Business Mentor?
Before we get into the specifics of why you should employ business coaching, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between a coach and a mentor. Small company entrepreneurs can benefit greatly from both of these advantages.
A business mentor, for the most part, is relationship-oriented (thus requiring a long-term commitment) and does not collect a fee. Mentors are often concerned with the individual development and success of the business owner. Their first responsibility is to listen to the company owner’s objectives, aspirations, and difficulties, and to give insight and counsel that will influence both the individual business owner and how the firm is conducted.
A mentor is a must-have for any small company owner who wants to build and operate a successful firm, especially because mentor connections cost nothing more than the time spent meeting with them. A mentor is not, however, a replacement for a business coach. They each achieve very different but equally important goals for your company.
A business coach works with your company to accomplish specific tasks and goals (for example, helping through the process of bringing on a business partner or managing a software implementation). The coach assists in the establishment of objectives, determining the number of sessions required to achieve the goal, and charging a fee for the service. A business coach’s relationship is typically brief, and you may need to work with several different coaches over the course of your company’s existence.
Small business owners should also consider hiring a business coach. Many business owners, however, cringe when they see that fee. The first instinct may be to hunker down and solve the problem on your own, as you have in so many other areas of your business. But don’t worry about how you can’t afford to hire a business coach because the truth is that you can’t afford to hire one.
The business environment’s complexity and speed are increasing all the time. Keep in mind that your key business challenges will inevitably change as your company grows through the stages of development. Recognize that the new challenges will necessitate changes in the way you run your business. If you want to remain competitive in the face of growth and change, don’t be afraid to seek assistance along the way.