Qualities to Look for in a Business Coach

From Entrepeneur Magazine OCTOBER 25, 2014

By Stephen Key

CONTRIBUTOR Co-Founder of inventRight; Author of One Simple Idea Series

Every entrepreneur needs a coach, because the fastest way to learn any business is to study someone who has been successful at it. This person has already paid the price of experience. You must absorb all of the information that you can out of him or her!

Over the years, I’ve met many people who desperately want to be successful but who are ultimately unwilling to invest in themselves. They think, “I can teach myself. I can learn this on my own.” I’m always dumbfounded by this attitude. If I can avoid making a few mistakes, I’m going to.

Our whole lives are about learning. When we’re young, we attend school. If we’re lucky, our parents impart a few important lessons. If you’ve ever played sports, you’ve had a coach. Education is king. In the long run, finding the right mentor will save you time and money.

However, it goes without saying that some coaches are better than others. There are so many people these days offering their services to entrepreneurs online. Before you leap into a new relationship, take some time to get to know a potential coach. The following qualities are what you should be looking for.

Experience

The number-one thing to look for on someone’s resume is his or her experience. What exactly have they accomplished? Is it what you want to accomplish? Your coach must have walked the walk.

I feel strongly about this. Find someone that has truly paid their dues and can speak to their real-life experiences. Ideally, this person will have failed and succeeded. Their insight will help you avoid making costly mistakes and increase your chance of success immensely.

The devil is in the details. Ask for testimonials. What are former mentees saying about him or her? Is what’s being said personal and detailed? Always remember to Google for complaints as well.

Attitude

In my experience, having a great attitude comes with time and experience. The right coach will have been through it all — and come out the other side knowing a sense of humor goes a long way in business. They are able to see the big picture. They understand it’s all a numbers game. They don’t get too upset. An ideal coach is very patient, but also persistent and determined.

coach

Willing to share

A great coach is willing to share all of his or her experiences with you — the good and the bad. Do you get the feeling this person is holding back? That’s not a good sign. You’ll learn the most from someone who is willing to be radically transparent.

Expertise in their field

Does your potential coach regularly give lectures? Has he or she written a book? Do reporters interview him or her? It’s impossible to be everything to everyone, and nor is it desirable. If this person offers a long list of services, exercise caution.

Accessibility

You must be able to reach your coach. A good coach will be willing to customize a program for you, because they know one size doesn’t fit all. Does this person care about your problems and concerns? Specifically ask them how much time they have to offer you. What is their schedule and availability like? How many other projects and commitments do they have? Discuss these very important details up front.

Connections

A great coach will have longstanding relationships with people who could benefit you. Ask him or her if they’re willing to open doors for you. Sometimes, it is about who you know.

Expectations

Ask your coach what they expect from you. A good coach will keep you accountable. They will outline what they need from you, time and action wise. If they don’t ask how much you’re capable of, that’s a red flag. I would never take on a mentee who told me he or she didn’t have as much time as I thought they should dedicate to a project.

A love of teaching

Teaching is a skill that people get better at over time. Good mentors love to help other people. They enjoy the act of teaching. How a potential coach treats you from the very beginning of your interactions is a good indicator of how he or she will act over time. Are they late to the first appointment you set up? That’s not a good sign. You need a coach who is considerate of your time.

Holds you accountable

A great coach will not simply let you disappear. Yes, things get in the way. But he or she cares about how you’re doing.

If you’re lucky enough to find a coach that you vibe with, as I have, you will make a great friend for life. They will enjoy sharing in your success and feeling like they were part of it.

For full article http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238867

MORE INFO…………..http://berniegriffiths.com/work/

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID………………

“I am an Auckland based pet photographer.

Bernie has been my photography business coach for over a year.

Since I started my photography business over 6 years ago, I had struggled through every winter and was very close to giving my photography away.

After working with Bernie, everything changed.

Bernie has taught me how to market my photography, shown me how to develop and position my brand, lift my prices, and my pet photography business, is now in the position of having a waiting list of clients.

I have tripled my average portrait sale since working with Bernie.

I can’t recommend Bernie highly enough.

He is an inspirational speaker and mentor”. 

Kimberely Kent, Tall Tails Pet Photography, Auckland, New Zealand.

#berniegriffiths

#photographybusinesscoach

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GETTING

Many Photographers are struggling to earn a reasonable income through their photography, mainly because they are running their business the “old way” and have not kept up with new ways of Marketing, Website lead generation, and easier selling strategies.

Learn the new ways getting customers in front of your camera, and how Social Media can help grow your business.

The whole day will focus on re-defining your business with some brand new Marketing ideas, and an up to date view on using Social Media for your photography business.

Bernie Griffiths www.berniegriffiths.com has over 40 years experience in running a successful photography studio, and now he coaches and mentors photographers around Australia and New Zealand.

Johannah Barton is founder and owner of Confetti Design www.confettidesign.com.au specialising in branding, website design and small business marketing. Johannah, coming from an artistic family is sensitive to creative industries, and specialises in working with photographers.

PROGRAM

9.00am – 9.30am      REGISTRATION

9.30am – 11.00am    CREATING THE PERFECT WEBSITE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

11.00am – 12.30pm   5 WAYS OF SELLING YOUR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

12.30pm – 1.30pm     LUNCH

1.30pm – 2.30pm       7 WAYS OF GETTING CUSTOMERS TO YOUR BUSINESS

2.30pm – 3.30pm       TRENDS IN USING FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND GOOGLE +

SYDNEY…Tuesday 13 October THE RANCH Cnr. Epping & Herring Rds North Ryde

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MELBOURNE…Tuesday 20 October MANNINGHAM HOTEL 1 Thompsons Rd, Bulleen

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Cost…EARLYBIRD $47 before 25th September… $97 after that date.

Includes LUNCH and FREE ALL DAY PARKING

Real Photographers…Real Coaching…Real Results….Real Money

Are You Breaking Even?

Are You Breaking Even?
Many studio owners that I speak to that have been in business for many years, now find their business operating at “break even.”
 They have money coming in, and money going out at the same rate.
Cashflow but no profit.
This is one of the most frustrating periods of a business life.
The photographer is working long hours running the business, but at the end of the day has absolutely nothing in the bank account as a reward for their hard work.
 Empty pockets.

 

I remember going through this period in my business.

I was frustrated, miserable, angry, and could not see any light at the end of the tunnel.

What to do?
After searching my own brain and not coming up with an answer, I asked my daughter for advice.
She does after all have two Marketing degrees, and works for a multi million dollar International company as a Marketing manager.
Her response came quickly and was very brief.
“Dad………you can’t milk a dead cow.”1It took me by surprise.
It took me a few days to get clarity on her statement, but when I did, I knew exactly what to do.
The cow was my business model.
What she meant was that my business wasn’t dead, but the way I was running it was.
If was no longer working……. it was dead!
I HAD TO STOP TRYING TO MILK IT.
I had to stop living in the past….that was over.
So how did I move forward and resurrect my business to continue on successfully for many more years.
It was time to clear the past Marketing, processes, pricing, products, mindset, and CHANGE a few things.
The first thing I changed was my mindset.
I determined to focus on the future, and recreate myself.
I learned more about Marketing, and made overall change in my business.
Slowly my business turned around.
I became profitable again, as my new cow started producing milk.
Most leave it too late, because they can’t get out of their comfort zone.
You can keep doing the same things that aren’t working or you can do something that will change your life.
When I am Coaching the clients that I have who are feeling this pain, I know how they feel.
But I also know how to help them.