8 important questions to ask before hiring a business coach

Eight months into the year and I’ve spent close to $9000 on business consulting/coaching & development. The school of life doesn’t have all the answers. Over the years, I’ve developed a gift for determining frauds aka those less skilled than they portray.

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Learning a coach is a "bad coach" or a less developed coach can be expensive and time consuming. Aaaand as you know, I’m all about saving you time and maximizing on your profits.

Here are 8 important questions to ask before hiring a business coach:

1.) Do you have a coach? 

Yes, coaches have coaches. You want to ensure that this person invests in their business and development also. Books, podcasts and e-courses cannot take you the same place a coach can. There's something about the experienced guidance and strategies that coaches can provide to push you towards your desired goals.

So why would you want a coach who isn't investing in their development to help you with yours? Just sayin'. 

If they aren't currently being coached, who was their last coach? When was the last time they were in a coaching program?

2.) What business experience do they have? 

Is this her first business? RUN! I kid...partly. What experience does she have to teach you? There are no true qualifications for coaches and consultants, legally, so inquire about her successes in her own business or past business ventures. This may sound evasive, but wouldn't you ask a nanny 'in your face q's' before leaving your baby with her? Yes, you would. 

3. What are you an expert at?

This is actually a trick question. You should KNOW what she's an expert at. General business coaches are not what you need unless you are super super super new to business aka your business is in the "crazy ideas I don't quite think I can pull off" section in your mind. You want to work with someone who specializes in a niche/topic/area that you need help with. So if you aren't sure what she does and you follow her website and her social media, she isn't for you yet. She maaay have issues with her messaging, branding or marketing and that's why you aren't clear. But that only means she isn't clear either. So if you have to ask this question, the answer is KIM. And not in Kimber, but: 

Keep it Moving

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4.) Why did you become a business coach? 

This is a fun Q and generally we work with those that have the same values and mission as us. 

5.) What success has her clients had? 

Testimonials are cool, but on the spot: what real results have you gotten for your clients? She should be able to tell you a quick case study on how her strategies have helped her clients to succeed. 

6.) What can I expect from coaching with you?

Listen. Is this a regurgitated sales page or nah? Seriously, listen to determine is this what you were seeking. 

          6.1) What’s your coaching style? Does she hold your hand and coddle you through? Or does she call you out             on your bull and ask you why you haven’t done anything you committed to doing?  Is she willing to fire you if           you don't show up and do the work to grow your business?

If you were wondering, I will fire you if you aren't ready to show up + show out!

          Question 6 is gold. Ask + pay attention....take notes if you need to. 

7. Have you ever owned a business that failed? 

95% of entrepreneurs will answer this with a YESS! And I left 5% for error which technically is 100%, shout out to Grad school research class for that lesson. Which I failed by the way with a B-. See how all failures, really aren't failures but learning lessons. [No worries, I retook it and have the principles down.] 

This question ties in with question two, but don't ask in order. Which is why it is down here in the trenches. Trust me on the ordering. 

8. What systems do you have in place in your business? 

Of course I would suggest asking about systems, as systems + processes are what make a business run smoothly. I have seen and worked with some "top" coaches whose systems were a hot mess. It doesn't take away from the expertise, but it definitely can be distracting and make you appear unprofessional. 

When working with a great coach, you can feel as if you gained a new bestie. However, you don't need a new bestie, your business does. An amazing coach partners with you to understand your business and your goals to help you win! Your coach becomes your business' bestie. 

Click here if you are ready for breakthrough in your business and know your business needs a bestie. 

Werk Wednesdays Series: Websites

I know this isn't rocket science, but I PROMISE I see this mistake daily. You are NOT an online business, if you don't have a website. Listen to the audio below for the importance of owning your own website. 

Let me know what tips or topics you would like to hear next week. Comment below or email me. 

Werk Wednesdays Series

Working online you learn the ins and outs of online business. That and the fact that I adore online biz. I read books, articles, listen to podcasts, and attend webinars all on business. Alot of people say the same things, but with their own spin. That's the beauty of the internets-adding your own spin. However, there are some things that are just classic and must have's/must do! 

On social media I see soooo many "no's" and "hunay who told you..." So instead of shaking my head at these occurences, I am offering some advice to the new online female entrepreneur. Audio + images + blog posts all designed to teach. It will be very simple things, that it would be assumed people know. However, post after post confirms...not everyone knows. 

Self-development is scary

I'm in the process of restructuring KO. Oddly enough I work with more women in creating businesses than personal coaching. I get it building an empire is definitely sexier than working on you.

Yet, it actually confused me for some time. Like why wouldn't you want to be totally together and at peace. So many of us focus on everything else we can achieve first. We acknowledge the faults here and there but we don't go full force on what's needed to get rid of them. You know the saying, "we all have faults," stagnates many from ever working on anything within them. Please note that self-development extends further than just “faults.”

Example:

Shay has trust issues which she openly admits, but isn't willing to look at the source or even take the steps to rid herself of these issues. She signs up with me for biz coaching. Shay and I get her business running. Shay is really crushing it! I'm proud of her, she's proud!  Amazing opportunities start popping up left and right for her business. However, she doesn't believe that the opportunities are legit, based upon her own issues with not being able to trust people.  Subsequently, she misses out many times because she's doubtful and backdoor researching the opportunity.

Change is hard. I'll be the first to admit it's hard....really hard. Then to admit to another person that you need help with whatever *insert vice/fault is* OMG?!? I get it.

My bestie says I try to save everyone and I'm probably guilty as charged. Most people are okay with their chaos and guess what?!? I'm learning to be cool with everyone not wanting to be happy and at peace.  As Project Pat says, “[they] don't want to be saved.”
 I just know firsthand how GOOD life can be with it. Just like I would tell you what my favorite lipstick is and how amazing it is and keeps my lips moisturized, I want you to be happy and fulfilled. If you're reading this, you are definitely headed in the right direction. Anyone not interested in change on any level, wouldn’t read these type of posts. So Kudos to you! I hope you have your GPS on and set towards happiness, freedom, riches...whatever your desire(s) may be. Go ahead and put that desire in google directions, it isn't going to take you anywhere. Sorry sunshine! You will have to do some leg work.

Most don't want to put the work in. They want magic to occur. Happiness, freedom, and riches are all magical but they don't just fall out the sky because you're beautiful. Trust me...I have gazed at the sky many of days and at the most I was lucky to not have had a bird poop on me.

I often joke and say “Operation get my life right!” Operation get my life right is anytime I feel a shift that something in my life isn't aligned. Think of a car’s alignment, if you remove your hands off the steering wheel and if it shifts to the right or the left...you need an alignment.  If I stop doing my daily practices (gratitude, rest, play) then I begin to notice a shift and I need “Operation get my life right.” If I've had more cheat meals in a week then my clean eating regime...then it’s time for “Operation get my life right!”

Seems easy enough.  However, you will never know if you're shifting, if you've never been aligned with your core values and desires. When you begin working on the hard things is when you begin to create internal alignments. It takes time, but with love and patience, it happens.

No worries to my lovely ladies that are truly working on that core alignment. Personal coaching isn't going away, I just want you to be aware when you see some new things. Change can be so hard. ;) Inspirational posts will continue because that's just who I am...always trying to save someone ;)