Finding a business coach is easy. Google it, and you’ll find thousands to choose from. However, finding a business coach who is suited for you and your business situation is another matter entirely.
In this article, I will be offering advice from my experience in the industry so that you can find the right person for the job, saving (and making) you time and money. Over the last 15+ years, I have hired business coaches, trained and certified business coaches, and have even been one myself! I know the industry inside and out.
Your business coach is going to have one of the biggest— if not the biggest— impact on your business and financial future while you retain them and for years afterwards. Why? Because aside from your wife, they will know more about your business, finances, goals, struggles, and ambitions than anyone else in your life. And in addition to that, they will be using the information they gather to develop plans, strategies, and tactics to build you a successful future.
You pick the wrong coach? You could end up bankrupt, divorced, and losing your faith. You pick the right one: business growth in multiples, debt free, and generous overfollow into every area of your life.
So, here is the list, pick wisely!
(Note: I have removed the obvious: formal education, experience, training, prior success, etc. as I’m sure you can get this generic information from a quick Google search/AI. What I have below are the deeper issues that are even more important if you want to have a transformative experience with your business coach)
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Belief System - Yes, I’m breaking all the rules here and mixing business with religion. You need someone advising you who has the same fundamental world view, moral compass, and ultimate ambitions. If you’re going to share all of the deepest and most private information that is going on in your business along with your hopes, fears, and problems, you had better make sure they are steering you based on Biblical wisdom and praying for you along the way. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14). If you make a mistake here, it will cost you more than you can calculate.
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Comprehensive Assessment - The longer I’ve been business consulting and coaching, the longer my assessments have gotten. Why? Because I can't make a custom roadmap to success if I can’t make a proper diagnosis of the problems and goals first. If your coach is not analyzing your situation (as well as your finances for the last 2 years!), then they are not building you a good plan. They’re shooting in the dark.
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Bespoke Solution - There are countless coaches selling a “system” that will make you scale and prosper, but your business, your goals, your problems, your team, your situation is not going to fit into a cookie cutter box. If the coach wants to “run you through their program,” then you need to run away. What you want is a framework and materials, but the freedom to have the work customized to your situation.
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Financial Expertise - You hire a business coach to help you grow your top line and bottom line. Therefore, your coach needs to know how to analyze your financials, provide recommendations, and set financial projections based on your strategies and goals. If all they know how to do is ask questions about your mindset… and then flatter you with affirmations, then you are throwing your money away. Your coach must make you multiples more than they cost you.
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Measured Results - It is easy to impress with a pretty slide deck, complex spreadsheets, and authoritative presentations, but what actually matters is measured results. Make sure the coach you pick has a dashboard for measuring your results so that you and the coach are held accountable to achieving the highest ROI. Without measured results you are entering a therapy session where as long as you “feel good” you think it is helping. There are far less expensive ways to “feel good” than hiring a business coach.
Conclusion - BE CAREFUL when choosing who you want to “partner” with in business. He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm (Prov 13:20). Don’t be hasty, do your research and work with a coach who you can trust and has the ability to actually help you.
Life’s too short and eternity is too long to be spending time working on the wrong things or with the wrong business coach!
About the author: Josh Fonger founded 4th Soil Ventures to provide biblically based business advisory, coaching, and consulting services to male entrepreneurs and small business owners to advance the kingdom of God. He is passionate about helping men grow their top line, bottom line, and finish line using his Hundredfold Framework for business growth and operational excellence. Click Here to schedule a Discovery Call with him today.
