How to Pick the Right Business Coach or Mentor for You

[Naveed Iqbal]

There are many advantages to seeking business coaching or mentoring, but there are also pitfalls that can leave you worse off than you started, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. To help you make the right choice, keep these things in mind as you search for the right business coach or mentor for your needs. Remember, this process will require some work on your part—you won’t just find the right person and automatically have the relationship you need; instead, look at each option critically and deliberately before deciding to take it further with anyone.

Define your goals

Do you want to work on your own? Do you want help with a specific task? Do you need someone who will hold you accountable and push you when needed? Your goals will dictate what type of coaching or mentoring is right for you.

The best time to start working on achieving your goals is now. If you're not sure how to get started, ask yourself these questions: What are my strengths? What am I passionate about? Where do I see myself in five years? How do I define success? What do I need from my business coach or mentor in order to achieve my goals more quickly and easily than if I was doing it by myself?

Research your options

Successful entrepreneurs often recommend business coaching and mentoring as a way to achieve your goals. But, there are many types of coaches and mentors out there and not all of them are right for everyone. The first thing you need to do is figure out what your goals are. Is it just general business advice? Do you want someone who's been through the same experience? Or do you need someone who specializes in a certain aspect of business like marketing? Once you have an idea of what you're looking for, start researching! There are tons of coaches and mentors out there so it's important that you find the one who will be able to help meet your needs.

Consider personality and style

Do you want someone who will push you beyond your comfort zone, or do you want someone who will listen and help you achieve your goals? Some people are looking for a coach that will coach them up and provide helpful feedback. Others may prefer a mentor because they need someone to guide them through every step of the process and hold their hand.

If you're looking for a coach, finding one with experience in your industry can be really beneficial. They'll know where all the pitfalls are and how to help you avoid them. If it's more of a mentoring relationship that you're looking for, then finding someone with similar experience can be very important as well.

Make sure they have experience

Choosing a coach or mentor can be a confusing process. There are many options and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you. The first step is figuring out what you want to achieve, and then determining whether your goals match with their skillset. For example, if you want help with achieving goals in a certain industry, find someone who has experience in that industry. If your goal is more personal - like focusing on self-care - try looking at someone who specializes in coaching people through this process.

Ask for referrals

A business coach can help you achieve your goals by providing feedback, assessing resources, and helping you stay on track. But how do you know which coach is right for you? Start by asking yourself these three questions:

·         How much of your time are they asking to invest?

·         What are their skills and areas of expertise?

·         What is your budget?

Once you’ve answered those three questions, think about what type of support you need most. Is it someone who will help with strategic planning and goal setting, or someone who will help with day-to-day operational tasks such as accounting and social media management? Do you need a coach who specializes in marketing tactics or one that focuses on personal development needs like work/life balance?