I thought it would be good information to do a comparison between a coaching program and an individual coach.

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I asked some of the successful coaches I know that have been in the business for years what they thought:

KATHERINE HALPIN, Executive Coach & Leadership Strategist,
www.HalpinCompany.com

As a coaching firm owner who has used both independent contractors as well as franchisee coaches, I have some definite opinions about large scale coaching engagements.

I have coached at the CEO level since 2001.  When I am working with a CEO in a multi-billion dollar organization, I believe the best coached team includes people trained in the same coaching methodology. Without that consistency in method, clients can get mixed messages.  The downside of this consistency is that the work cannot be tailored for the one-on-one client.

In entrepreneurial organizations, an individual coach is by the far the best solution.  Fully customized coaching on a one-on-one basis is always the most effective and most affordable.

CONNIE KADANSKY, Sales Coach, www.ExceptionalSales.com

If it wasn’t for my first coach — I would be furiously typing appellate court briefs and working for cranky attorneys.  Thank goodness for individual coaching.  I am a product of excellent individual coaching since 1998.

In 2007 and 2008 I qualified and invested in Strategic Coach, a program for entrepreneurs.  The investment was $4,500/year with travel to Chicago every quarter for one day with my “coach” and fellow entrepreneurs.  They gave us tools and processes that when implemented made a huge positive difference in strategies and business success.

However, there was no nitty gritty one-on-one with the “coach.”  Every quarter I had a 30 minute call with a program advisor.  At the same time I was involved with Strategic Coach, I also had an individual coach.  Strategic Coach was mostly about business and strategy, however, I have to admit they had good exercises addressing the personal side.

With that said, I believe that an individual coach relationship is absolutely necessary to address the complexities of relationships, balance, fears, staying in integrity, and self-limiting beliefs that keep people from implementing strategies. I believe that everyone who has solid goals and aspirations needs a personal coach and cannot afford not to have one.

DIANE M. BOLDEN, Business & Leadership Coach, www.Synchronistics.net

Here is what I would say about the benefits of one on one coaching versus some kind of canned program:

“The beauty of one-on-one coaching is that it is truly custom tailored to the needs of the client.  The agenda belongs to the person being coached, rather than the coach.  In this way, each person’s emerging challenges can be addressed and the coach can help the client zero in on his or her specific issue and help that person tap their internal wisdom to find the answer within.  The key is to help clients identify and create ways of succeeding that are aligned with their natural styles, strengths and passions, versus following a generic approach that may work well for some but not others.  Methodologies and cookie cutter approaches run the risk of overlooking the complexity of each person’s individual evolution and specific needs.

Often the challenges and opportunities that people come to coaching to address are rooted in issues that go much deeper than they initially realize.  The best coaches help individuals to discern and peel away those layers and engage in practices that are diverse enough to meet the true needs of the client – which may well go beyond the set format of a one size fits all coaching program.  When solutions offered address symptoms without getting to the deeper dynamics that are responsible for people’s behavior and its consequences, results can be short lived and individuals may not get the full value of coaching in return for the time, energy and money they are willing to invest in their own development.”

JO ANNE MUSOLF, Executive and Business Coach/Consultant,
www.themusolfgroup.com

I liken the issue of deciding whether to invest time and money in a “canned coaching program” vs. using a personal coach to clothes shopping.

There are times when “one size fits all” works just fine.  And there are times when a custom-made, hand tailored outfit is the best option.

The “one-size fits all” canned program works well with corporations, departments, and multi-national locations.  Their intent is to get everyone on the same page, to have everyone “wearing” the same corporate identity and mission.  It teaches a common language that can be used to foster understanding and it keeps employees on track and focused on the corporate goal.

A downside is that the expertise of the person who delivers the program is as important as the contents.  The ability to be a skilled facilitator is a talent. Anyone deciding to buy a coaching program would be wise to personally experience the ability of the person delivering the program.

The custom-made, one-on-one approach is best for getting to the heart of the matter.  For helping the entrepreneur, the executive or the company not only hone in on what really needs to get done but to learn how to use that new-found knowledge for future challenges. Naturally it focuses on the individual and what makes them “tick” and what gets in the way of achieving their desired success.

Canned programs change the organization, individual coaching changes the person.

As an aside, through out my 12-plus years as an executive and business coach I have found that my clients don’t have the time or desire to “discover” their own personal stumbling blocks.  They are paying me for my knowledge, skills and insights.  They want me to tell them what I am observing, to ask the hard questions, and to kick them in the butt when needed. My “coaching” has progressed to include a heavy dose of “consulting.”  I believe that the combination of both is a necessary skill for any seasoned coach in the market today.

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As you can see, there is room for both a coaching program and an individual coach, depending on your business and personal needs.

For more info on Vickie Champion’s coaching style click here.

Here are Some Signs you DON’T Need to Hire a Business Coach…

• You wake up every morning and can’t wait to get started on your work day and at night have to literally pry yourself away.
• You have more passion for your work than you did on your first day.
• You have more than enough clients or job opportunities.
• You are constantly stepping out of your comfort zone.
• You don’t know what doubt or concern about the future of your business or career even means.
• It’s easy for you to stay focused on your goals and take action to achieve them.
• You have an impeccable system of prioritizing, accomplishing even your (“wouldn’t it be nice”, wish) list easily, and meet even your self-imposed deadlines.
• You get along with everyone you come in contact with, whether it’s your boss, co-workers, vendors, clients, employees or spouse.
• It’s easy for you to delegate and you have a gift for recruiting others to help you achieve your goals.
• You are knowledgeable and active with social media and are receiving clients or job opportunities from it.
• You use your “intuition” or “gut instincts” daily on even the small things.
• You operate from a budget and know how to use it to get your dreams. See The Miracle Cure for Money Issues for more info.
• You can’t think of any other business or job you would rather have.

If you identify with these signs, don’t let anyone talk you into wasting your time and money on business coaching –  not less you want to take your business or career to an even higher level.

If you don’t have several of these signs, click here for more info on Vickie Champion’s business coaching, business consulting, and life coaching.

You’ve switched hair stylists. You’ve switched investment advisors. You’ve switched child care providers. When your intuition, your heart and the face in the mirror told you the timing was right you’ve switched professionals. Could it be time to switch business coaches?

Here are some signs it’s time to change business coaches…

When you find yourself…

• Dreading your coaching sessions.
• Distracted easily during sessions.
• Annoyed with your coach’s advice.
• Complaining about what they are charging you.
• Making sacrifices to always accommodate your coach’s schedule.
• Feeling the relationship is stuck.
• Having no shifts or new insights in a long time.
• Not feeling better after the sessions.

If you are still questioning whether it’s time to change your business coach, take Vickie Champion’s quiz entitled See if You Are Getting the Most From a Coach.

I’m not the only one. I’m part of a “pay what you can” movement. Restaurants, theaters, yoga classes, personal trainers, speakers, spas, cab drivers and health care clinics, just to name a few, have initiated this. I just heard an interview at http://www.heartofbusiness.com/pay-what-you-can-and-tad-hargrave/ on the concept “pay what you can.”

I think “pay what you can” is going to become more common and here’s why…

• It seems like many of us are becoming paralyzed because of a lack of trust, whether it’s because of corrupt people like Bernie Madoff or dicey situations, like whether we will have a job next week. “Pay what you can” builds trust, which we need more than anything now.
• I think most of us think of value being associated only with price.  Instead “perceived value” should be redefined as associated with quality or the customer’s opinion of the value.
• It helps businesses put “making a difference” and “doing the right thing” at a higher priority than “making money and “exceeding sales goals.”
• “Pay what you can” equalizes the economy. If we don’t do something soon, our society will consist of the very rich and the very poor. “Pay what you can” gives the poor the same privileges and opportunities as the rich and at the same time, helps eliminate the rich getting richer off of the poor.
• It builds faith that God is our source, not our clients.

“Pay what you can” is not for every business, but for me it’s the right thing to do for now.

If you’ve let the lack of funds stop you from hiring that much needed business coach or life coach, contact Vickie Champion at 480-838-9866 PST or visit www.VickieChampion.com.

Here are a Few of the Many Advantages of NOT Hiring a Life Coach-

• You can AVOID doing something about your problems, thinking day after day, “Tomorrow will be better.” Lately, I think most people who have money issues are doing this.
• You can continue believing sleepless nights, fighting with your spouse, family and friends, feeling guilty and being afraid all the time are NORMAL.
• You can treat your friends to long CONVERSATIONS about your problems.
• You can keep yourself USEFUL by putting out one fire after another.
• You can appear SELF-RELIANT by trying to break your old patterns and solve problems with no one else’s help.
• You can continue to ENVY the lives of others.
• You can SAVE money! And you can take satisfaction in this, even if does mean sacrificing a quality of life and spending several stressful years of hard work.

If these advantages sound appealing, DO NOT hire a life coach. There’s a good chance, they will ruin this for you. A good life coach has a tendency to help you become self-aware, increase your self-respect, end your self-sacrifice, give you self-confidence and build your self-esteem.

If these advantages don’t appeal to you, visit Vickie’s Individual Coaching section on her website.

Welcome to the world of Vickie’s Money Matters! As I have been watching the news, with the markets crashing and home foreclosures increasing and social security disappearing, I have also been watching levels of panic and confusion rising among the people around me. I’ve had a strong desire to reach out to as many people as I can and, using my knowledge and expertise, do my part to take the fear away through these changing times.

I’m not a financial planner, an investment advisor, or a stock broker, but I am a life coach and a money coach who helps others get rid of their fears, so they can listen to and trust their intuition. They call me “The Accelerator” because I have a knack for helping people get relief immediately.

In upcoming blogs, I’m going to give you my perspective on money matters, which is usually 180 degrees from main stream thinking. For some of you it’s a gentle reminder, but for most of you it will be an eye opener. So thanks for visiting, feel free to explore the rest of my website at www.VickieChampion.com to learn more about me, and be sure to come back soon for tips, insights, or even just a different point of view on how money matters to you.

You can also contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session.

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