Clear Intentions
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SMALL BUSINESS COACHING - ENTREPRENEURS

Business Development Coaching

If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner, you may be looking for someone to help you to maintain focus so you can carry out the vision for your company. We coach start-ups, small businesses, family-owned businesses and their sales teams. We can work with you to develop everything from strategic plans to marketing concepts. We will look at where you are and where you want to go and help you get there.  We work on such issues as:

• Do you have a plan for the next year?

• What is your niche?

• What works and what does not?

• Do you work all the time?

• What products or services are you selling that no longer work for you?

• Are you wasting time?

The Top 8 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Hire A Coach! 

Entrepreneurs and small business owners hire coaches for many reasons, but there are eight which typify the intentions most often expressed.

1. To increase the entrepreneur’s ability to leverage his/her time and stay focused.

The role of the entrepreneur and leadership methods used must be continually upgraded to stay ahead of an increasingly fickle customer base and less-loyal work force. The business coach works to substantially increase the entrepreneur’s leverage and effectiveness.  The result: increased sales, satisfied customers and employees.

2. To expand upon, clarify, and clearly put into words the entrepreneur's vision for the company.

A clear and simple vision keeps customers and employees focused, reducing the need for management and constant motivation.  For example, Microsoft's vision: "A computer on every desk and in every home, all running on Microsoft software." The business coach is an expert at "languaging" concepts, goals and visions, and assists the entrepreneur to properly put into words the vision for his/her company.  The result:  the vision is clear, causing goals and objectives to be accomplished on time.

3. To improve the entrepreneur’s presentation.

Character, communication skills, and listening ability are more vital today to the entrepreneur as the customer base expects more sophistication and subtlety. This, plus the increased use of virtual communication methods, requires that the authentic personal side of the entrepreneur comes through in order to maintain sales-by-attraction vs. sales-by-price. The result: better self-image.

4. To foster discussions of the entrepreneur's ideas that are still in the incubation stage.

Often, the next generation or evolution of a company is conceived during an open discussion of ideas. Most entrepreneurs don't take enough time for this type of creativity, nor do they have the right "listening partner." The business coach provides the environment in which the entrepreneur's inklings, ideas, and concerns are respected and expanded. The result: Ideas and intentions are fleshed out before goals and objectives are formulated.

5. To get an objective opinion from someone who has no vested interest in the outcome of the situation.

Everyone the entrepreneur works with, including the spouse, has a need to either maintain the status quo or to make changes that benefit themselves/their turf. This self-interest is normal, but may lead to a lack of objectivity and encourages a "not invented here" culture. The business coach is usually the only person in an entrepreneur's Rolodex whose only priority is the entrepreneur's interests.  The result: unlimited support.

6. To have a secure, safe, and confidential outlet for venting, when necessary.

Pent up frustrations, anger, and disappointments impair good judgment. Every entrepreneur needs a special person to hear complaints, and with whom they can talk things out.  The result: a clearer direction. 

7. To point out what the entrepreneur can't, won’t, or doesn't want to see.

Smart business people understand that they have blind spots and most grant an insider, outsider, or a team with the permission and mandate to speak frankly and illuminate the entrepreneur's blind spots.  Most individuals aren't empowered to speak their minds. The business coach has an ethical obligation to point out what he/she sees.  The result: cutting edge products.

8. To find a better way to reduce stress, increase effectiveness, and have a life.
   
   The time of the passive/suffering entrepreneur spouse is coming to an end, as is the work-is-all-that-matters obsession. Leadership today requires a clear-thinking individual who is in touch with the many parts of life, not just running a company. Entrepreneurs are expected to have a real life. The business coach works with the entrepreneur to design a balanced and sustainable personal and professional life.  The result: a more balanced approach to living.

Case Study:  Working Entrepreneurs

When Mike came into my office several years ago he had just walked away from a good paying, but stressful job.  Despite his decision to leave the company, the company was willing to pay unemployment.  Mike had recently become a father and was a valuable employee.  When Mike came to me, his unemployment was about to run out.  He was panicked and unsure how to support his family in the near future.  Mike had tried several different routes to finding a new career, but nothing seemed to fit him.  He had a plethora of ideas, but was unable to stay focused.

My initial work with him centered on identifying his values and the things that mattered to him, like spending weekends with his family and making a difference in life. 

We were thorough in our approach and looked at every area of his life. My constant question to him:  How do you want to feel when you get up in the morning and how do you want to feel when you go to bed at night?

The second phase included an inventory of his resources.  What were his assets, his liabilities?  We looked at his finances, education, support system, network, etc.

After a few weeks, Mike decided to start his own business as a general contractor.  It was a perfect choice that was in line with his values – spending time with his family, needs (low-stress job, being in a leadership position, wants (providing for his family) and desires (building an organization of his own).

Because our approach was thorough, it was obvious what resources were available to him and what needed to be acquired.  For example, Mike was an excellent sales person with many years of experience.   It was easy for him to write estimates, plus his customer service skills were fantastic.  He had no trouble finding customers willing to purchase services. All he needed was training.  With help from skilled professionals, he was able to carry out a variety of contractor jobs he bid on.

Mike started his business six weeks after we started coaching.  Within six months, it was profitable and he was ready to expand.