This is part four of a six-part series explaining how agile strategy-making can get you to where...
Owning a business can be hard. You soon get used to conflicting priorities, managing day-to-day demands and working hard to get ahead. When things aren’t going so well, it’s easy to see where we need help. But it can also be when things are going well that we should be asking for help to grab those opportunities.
It’s easiest to think of business coaches like a sports coach. An outside perspective to help analyse plays, fix mistakes and structure teams, but also a strategic partner to help identify which competition to win next.
Here are 4 common things to look out for if you’re thinking about engaging business coaching:
1. You need to see results
If you feel like you’re putting in maximum effort for less than maximum results, it might be time to have a strategic look at your business. It could be that your projects need some better resourcing, or just a case of chasing after the wrong goal. Often a third party can provide some clarity to a situation that isn’t quite working much more effectively and efficiently than someone who is living and breathing the day to day of the business.
Read blog: Motivating You and Your Team - 3 Simple Steps to Success
2. You know where you want to be, but you don’t know how to get there
If you’ve managed to define what ‘Good Business’ looks like to you, and how you’d like to have your business running in 5 years’ time, then it’s time to work out how to get there. The path is never a straight forward one, but it’s also very rarely one that is completely new. So, get someone on your team who has been there, done that, learned how not to do things, and how to get results first time.
3. It’s all too much
Smaller businesses can be very successful without the need for lots of staff, processes or systems. But, as they grow, business owners can find themselves suddenly in charge of a marketing team, sales team, head of finance and master of operations. Act before any loss of will or passion, and get some help to set your business up to succeed. No matter how superhuman you are, you can’t do it all, so surround yourself with people who are going to get you where you want to go.
4. You’re growing, but in every direction
Chasing opportunities has worked well for you in the past, and has helped your business to grow. Sooner or later, because of either resourcing, or strategic direction, business owners need to make decisions about what direction to take. Successful companies identify and maximise what they’re good at. A coach can help you get really strategic about tactical plays, and where to head your team.
Forbes have written a brilliant article about the signs they’ve identified, as have Small Business Trends. It’s a hot topic, everyone is talking about it.
The Icehouse offers tailored coaching packages to suit any business with any goal. Click here to learn more.
