The price of a whistleblower
As German authorities contemplate paying for data stolen from a Swiss bank, the industry is rethinking its security strategies
Business diary: Sophia Harris
Founder of the Solomon Harris law firm in the Cayman Islands says it was fortunate that it could not afford a big, flash opening
The public image: Bank of Scotland
A homely campaign seeks to re-establish the troubled lender's appeal
The woman helping to build the new China
The head of Soho China, one of the country's biggest property groups, insists that changes in government policy are the most important factor in determining the business's strategy
The careerist: Attracting headhunters
'If you associate yourself with the best it rubs off'
The job: Embalmer
'In two weeks you know whether or not you can do it'
Ports think outside the container
Owners and operators of shipping terminals are responding to environmental concerns. AP Moller Maersk's facility in Maasvlakte has cut its carbon emissions by 45% a year
Billionaire battle of the seas
As the America's Cup kicks off, Sir Keith Mills, founder of Airmiles and the Nectar card, tries to mediate between the warring teams fighting over one of sport's biggest businesses
20 questions: Jon Moulton
An insight into the maverick of the private equity industry
The call of the Russian investor
In a country where natural resources are the biggest lure and Silicon Valley-style venture capitalists are rare, a few investors are funding opportunities in the technology sector
Ambassador of cheese
Glyn Woolley has taken an imaginative approach to building his company, a leading exporter of British artisinal cheeses that is credited with helping to change perceptions of the country's produce
A matter of interpretation
For companies that do business in international markets, employing the right translator can be the difference between winning or losing a big contract
An inside job?
Research shows that someone from outside the group must be twice as strong to get the job, and yet Morrison's and ITV have both brought in outsiders
When the train takes the strain
Airport security and the environment are two reasons to go by rail
Business diary: Neil Jones
Interead founder says 2010 is year of the e-reader
The public image: Alfa Romeo
Textbook example of how to maintain aspirational brand values when making deep price cuts
Real people value
Jim Goodnight, head of SAS, the world's biggest privately held software group, ignores hierarchy and talks to as many employees as he can
The careerist: Socialising with colleagues
'Don't try too hard to impress and don't get too drunk'
The job: Fraud accountant
'A reputation for indiscretion can haunt you'
20 questions: Michael Morley
Coutts chief says wealth managers improve with age


fees to clients
* Need to expand your comfort zone
* How to keep focused on one main thing, without getting side-tracked by your many ideas
* Nervous about leaving the security of a full-time job
* Coming from a background of employment where you had lots of resources at your finger-tip (e.g. access to IT technical support) you may sub-consciously expect the same in their small business
* Time-management problems - What to "do", "dump" or "delegate"
* Need to quickly recoup the costs of your training
* Starting in business after the camaraderie of college, you may feel isolated - fellow students have suddenly become competitors for your clients!

A coach can help you, not only in the above business areas, but also in the rest of your Wheel of Life. Complementary therapists are often sole-traders, new to running their own business. Caught up in the excitement of a new qualification it's easy to lose sight of other areas of life that need nurturing. It's typical for all small business proprietors to need help working on areas outside the business e.g.
* Lack of time and feeling overwhelmed with the number of jobs you have to do
* Work-life balance - there IS a life outside your business

How does coaching differ from mentoring? A mentor will generally guide someone and support them in a specific task, or in this case therapy. This is a very valuable service, but coaching can offer a more holistic approach.

A mentor knows the answers to specific problems, whereas a coach works with you to help you discover the questions AND their answers, not just in your business, but in the rest of your life.

Effective coaching doesn't require that the coach has specific experience of a client's occupation - often the very absence of this adds to the effectiveness of the coaching procedure, as the coach will stand apart and "see the wood from the trees".

However, although a coach will take a holistic approach to working with you, it can be beneficial if the coach comes from a similar background to yourself, as they will more readily understand your problems.

With a background in nutritional therapy I originally studied coaching as an add-on, to support and motivate weight loss clients. My training required me to work with a wide variety of clients and I found that I particularly enjoyed working with recently qualified practitioners, as they were setting up their businesses. This is now a focal point in my client development programme.

Article Source: http://www.articleblender.com

Joy Healey is a qualified life-coach, conducting telephone or face-to-face sessions. To learn more about coaching visit her website www.life-coaching-london.co.uk "target="_blank">for a free monthly newsletter to help you in various areas of your life.


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