As I mention throughout my website, the most important thing with any coaching relationship is ‘fit’. Meaning, ‘am I right for you and are you right for me?’. Let’s be honest, without this fit then the relationship is unlikely to be a productive one. Even if I was the best business guru in Scotland, if you didn’t like spending time with or couldn’t bear to hear my voice then chances are whatever we discussed wouldn’t be acted upon.
Assuming however that we have a good fit together then it’s a fair question to ask for some credentials. I’ll avoid splurging out a CV-type list of qualifications and experience if you don’t mind however if you want this level of detail I’d be happy to send you a CV or point you towards my Linked In profile. Just ask.
Let’s be honest. There are LOADS of coaches out there and at the moment the coaching industry is not regulated. This means that anyone can call themselves a coach. That’s why it’s important to ask a coach “what qualifies you to be my coach?”
So, who am I? I’m a qualified business coach and have been certified by the World’s No 1 coaching firm. I am a franchise partner of ActionCOACH which means that I have my own coaching practice which is supported by a global structure. Thinking about the old HSBC slogan “Think Global. Act Local” this could equally apply to my business. All of the best business practices, strategies, tools and techniques from around the world delivered in a very local, Scottish way here in Edinburgh.
If you ask my opinion, then I’d say that it’s my belief that a Business Coach should have a solid commercial background with experience of finance, sales and marketing and operations – these after all are the key functions of any business. I spent 19 years with Pepsico and Cadbury in senior commercial roles with large P&L and team responsibilities. I believe it also adds credibility if your coach has their own coaching business. I’m building my coaching business in exactly the same way you are building your business. I know what it is like to worry about the day-to-day survival of the business and making the amount of money needed to run my business and personal life. I understand what it’s like to put in long hours, over a considerable period of time. As I speak with my clients, I have complete empathy for what they go through because I too have experienced it.
Have a look at my client commitment and my Return on Investment Guarantee to get a better feel for why I might be qualified to be your coach. In addition to that I’d suggest you do three other things: (1) watch and read my client testimonials (2) speak with my clients (3) arrange for an initial chat.
At the end of the day, you need to satisfy yourself that I’m the right coach for you. And if for any reason you feel I’m not, then get in touch anyway because I’d be very happy to help you get the right guy for you as the chances are, one of my colleagues will be. Remember, I believe in coaching so I’d rather you had a coach than not. Even if that’s not me!
Good luck.
