Ever wondered what to ask your Melbourne business coach to determine if you’re making the right choice or not?
Most business owners prospecting for a coach usually let the coach ask questions. The conversation ends up one-sided and the client isn’t able to distinguish if the coach is right for them.
When prospecting for the right business coach, it’s important to interview the coach and ask questions relating to how they can help you. Give them scenarios and see how well they solve the problem. Coaches love solving problems, so by giving them a real-life obstacle of yours is a perfect way to determine how they’ll handle future business troubles.
But, keep in mind, ask the coach questions about how they can help you. Don’t ask questions about them. When interviewing a coach, there’s etiquette you must follow. It’s rude to ask questions about:
- How old they are;
- How long they’ve been a coach for;
- What they were doing before being a coach;
- …or anything about ‘them’ because they’re questions of judgement and it’s not a professional way of starting a coaching relationship. The answers to those questions are revealed when you ask specifically how they can help you and your business.
Instead, you should keep the questioning positive and related around you, not them.
First interview questions to ask your business coach (and their hidden meanings).
You’ll notice the below questions are positive, related to your business and the answers will reveal so much about the coach (without the coach knowing). Also, it’s good to know the expectation of coaching fees.
1. Now that you know a little about my business, what would be the first step in making it grow?
This will test if the coach can think quickly and to see if he or she has thought of a solution before having asked that question. Also, if the coach sincerely doesn’t know, further questions will be asked to determine the right answer for you (which will show integrity).
2. Are you comfortable pushing me out of my comfort zone?
This question will reveal how aggressive the coaching style is. There is no right or wrong answer, but will reveal if the coach has hidden aggression, is soft or will ‘push’ you according to your circumstances and if the timing is right.
3. What kind of growth can you expect in the next 6-12 months?
This is a typical question that reveals if the coach has worked with similar industries as yours. Also, take note how confident the answer is given.
4. How likely is it for a business in my industry to succeed?
Again, this will reveal if the coach has worked with similar clients and can draw an answer based on life experience.
5. If you were looking at my business for the very first time, what foundations would you notice I’m lacking?
What you’re looking for here is to see if the coach is thorough, notices the little things and is quick to pin-point and respond to the slightest changes throughout your coaching journey.
6. Can you directly tell me if I’m wrong?
Time efficient coaches know what to focus on and are determined to get results. And it sometimes involves directly telling you if you’re wrong and shooting down your ideas if they negativley impact your goals.
7. What is your coaching process and how does it work?
This reveals if the coach has a working model that he or she is confident in explaining to you. The best coaches have a structure and model they’ve fined-tuned throughout their experience. Meaning, it also uncovers their experience level without directly asking them.
Now that you know how to indirectly qualify your coach, let’s take a look at the types of things to talk about during your sessions.
What do you talk about with a business coach?
At each session, the coach will know what to ask and determine the best direction for your business. However, you know your business well. And there should be specific things you should talk about. This shows you’re on top of things. Here are some broad topics you may mention:
- Revenue growth in the next 30-60 days;
- How to improve your performance and if there’s anything extra you should be doing;
- How to enhance productivity and make your work-life more efficient;
- Tips on how to be an effective leader with your clients or staff;
- How to improve on specific skills relating to sales, qualifying leads, listening, etc;
- Tips on how to launch new products or services;
- What major areas should you focus on to increase profits;
- Any refresh needed to current product/service offerings?
In this post you’ve learnt what to ask your business coach. This involves the traits that make a good coach, proper interview etiquette, and how to reveal certain things about your prospective business coach (without coming off as rude). You also know what to talk about during your sessions and how to be that great client every coach loves.