The current economic empowerment interventions for women aren’t enough to deal with all the obstacles facing most female entrepreneurs.
The emerging reports from experimental economics and psychology on leadership, mindset, and agency show that for a successful intervention to be transformative, they must move beyond basic access to human capital and finance and consider business coaching.
But choosing a business coach, especially for new female entrepreneurs, isn’t easy. They will have to consider the following tips to ensure they choose the right business coach:
Look at the Credentials, Education, and Experience
It is important to learn everything about a potential business coach. Their LinkedIn profile and website will give you background details, but confirming that information will still be best.
Most business coaches hold a degree and have established, ran, and sold businesses. They might also be current restaurant owners, CPAs (certified public accountants), or former CEOs.
Always focus on finding experts with business acumen, especially those who work with several business leaders within your industry.
Use Your Connections
Nothing will ever beat good customer referrals, whether you’ve been running your business for six months or many years. The same holds true when finding a good business coach.
Look at your current connections, as someone you know in the industry is likely working with a reliable business coach. But if your connections don’t pan out, more resources you can look at are small-business online communications, chambers of commerce, technology councils, groups for startups/entrepreneurs, and online communities.
Consider Rapport and Compatibility
Building a solid working relationship and rapport with a business coach is important. Schedule a first consultation to assess their listening skills, communication style and if you are comfortable to share your aspirations and challenges with them. Always trust your instincts and find someone that you can resonate with.
Have Reasonable Expectations
Coaching is one relationship, which requires honesty and trust. Hence, it is important to establish a space where you can share your thoughts and be susceptible.
Your business coach will help push you out of your comfort zone and ensure you grow. The best business coaches have been through similar challenges as you and overcome them.
Plus, a good business coach must guide you in setting reasonable expectations. But if you expect your coach to help you fix issues or problems on your behalf, it won’t work. You have to put in the effort as well.
Find Someone with Strong Ethics
Like other female entrepreneurs, you will share a lot of things with your business coach, including personal information. You would want to ensure those details you share only stay with your business coach.
This is why it is advisable to look for a professional business coach who works in an organization, which provides well-defined approaches based on the code of ethics.
Final Say
A business coach is a lot like a personal trainer. People often turn to them whenever they need help to reach their goals. So whether you are new to female entrepreneurship or want to take your business to another level, a professional business coach will come in handy.
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