Has anyone used the services of a business coach or consultant and if so was it worthwhile?
By the way I am UK based.
Why waste your money on a paid consultant. Instead, go to http://www.score.org/index.html and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.
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Why waste your money on a paid consultant. Instead, go to http://www.score.org/index.html and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.
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Think of a coach/consultant has schooling. They should be there to teach you how to make your business better (or start one if that's what you need a consultant for), not just tell you what to do. First and foremost, they should tell you if you need one. Sometimes the problem or issue you're having is so small, that you don't actually need the complete services of a consultant, but rather, just some advice.
Consultants usually have years of experience under their belts in a particular area of industry and this experience is their resource. You can go to school to become a lot of things, but becoming a coach/consultant isn't one of them because school can't give experience. Your situation and/or needs determine whether or not you need to bring in the experience of a coach/consultant.
For example, if your overall business operations are fine, but you'd like to increase sales, then you could bring in a sales consultant with experience in your industry. Oftentimes, someone who specializes in sales consulting will attach their fees to the performance of your company's sales. It's a sort of a "guarantee" that they can increase your sales, because, if they can't, they don't get paid (as much, there's still their base fees).
However, if your sales are strong, but you can't turn a profit, then someone with Ops experience would be better. They would be able to look at your physical operations and see where efficiency could be improved, costs cut, quality improved, etc.
If you're starting a business from the ground up, then a consultant who specializes in opening businesses is better than someone who specializes in running/managing them. Usually a consulting/management firm has different departments that specialize in some of the areas I've covered. Going with an individual coach/consultant may be more cost effective for you vs. a company but be sure to check his/her history and references. And like anything, shop around to find the best one to suit your needs, you can even look into certain organizations such as SCORE, which offer free (limited) services. Remember, sometimes the issue may not even require the use of one.
//Disclaimer, I am one.
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Business coaching and consulting is a lot like mental therapy. Although there are a number of factors that determine if it is going to work or not, the biggest factor is whether or not the business owner is willing to do the hard work to get results.
I have coached many people in small business and have found that people want the results, but lack the understanding of what it takes to achieve them.
The largest obstacle I've found is that people who run small businesses are the bosses and they like doing what they LIKE to do and not what NEEDS to be done. So, in coaching small business owners they like to take bits and pieces of what's being presented and not the entire package.
So, if you need some coaching and are willing to do the work, go for it. Of course, the best way to approach any type of coaching is to supplement the discussions with industry reading and lots of it.
PS: There are a number of free coaching opportunities out there as well. This need not cost you too much money.
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Been in busienss a long time and have coached many people.
In addition to valuable inputs by the other two individuals, here's my two cents. As a small business owner, you especially want to control/limit spending, SCORE would tend to be a good source for such service (quality, free service other than your time), HOWEVER, many of these wonderful retired executives tend to have worked in TRADITIONAL businesses (is your business traditional?), try to keep that in mind when receiving advice from them.
Input provided by http://www.mytata.net
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I agree somewhat with my fellow colleagues, but I do want to emphasize that a coach is not a baby-sitter nor is a coach going to solve your problems for you. You've got to be willing to listen and take action on what the coach gives you.
I currently coach small business owners who want to start a business, and the biggest thing is the owner. I've heard enough 'yeah, but…' to circle the globe.
Also know what kind of coach you need. Don't go to a startup small business coach when what you're looking for is someone to hold your hand ie Life Coach.
As for SCORE, yes some of the volunteers are active business owners but they are few and far between. Most are retired and have been for some time, SCORE is a way for them to share their knowledge learned from operating a business (it doesn't matter if that business was successful or not) and you have to gauge whether the information is current they are giving you or based on an out dated business model.
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i saw a couple of business advisers through local enterprise agencies, to be honest i'm not sure they we very helpful!
i would recommend http://www.bubbleburster.co.uk/ though – he gives truthful advice if you think you can take it!
then i think you can learn more from reading articles and information on business advice sites. try some of these…
http://www.startups.co.uk/6678842910723542392/entrepreneurs.html
http://www.clearlybusiness.com/advice-and-support/
http://www.newbiztips.net/default.aspx
http://www.cardellmedia.co.uk/
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