How to Tell if You Need a Business Development Coach

Running a business is fun and challenging, but sometimes that challenge can become overwhelming. As the business owner or leader of your department, knowing when to seek help is as crucial a tool as knowing when to delegate tasks. A business development coach can advise you in both areas. With the right guidance, your business will grow stronger because you are dedicated to finding help when you need it.

If you aren’t sure whether a business coach is right for you, look for a few specific signs. We’ve listed some of the most common ones below.

You’re Burned Out

You used to wake up excited to go to work every day. Now the amount of what you have to do overwhelms you. The thought of looking at that pile on your desk ratchets up your anxiety every Sunday night. If this describes you, you are probably approaching burnout – or already there – and need a coach. A business coach will teach you how to delegate responsibilities and prioritize what you need to do. Additionally, a coach will teach you ways to communicate better with employees, clients, and vendors so everyone gets the most out of your services and products.

You’ve Hit a Plateau

In other words, you aren’t getting the results you want. This happens to many business owners who try several methods to move a product or generate interest in their services but find none of those methods work. Too much trial and error can lead to burnout, as detailed above. Additionally, constant plateaus seriously harm employee morale, which can leave you with significant human resource problems.

A business coach will analyze your growth methods and tell you quickly what is and is not working. He or she will discuss short- and long-term goals with you, helping you decide which ones to tackle first and how to do so. Finally, he or she can give you tips on improving the work atmosphere and boosting morale.

You Procrastinate

Many business owners know what they need to do to improve their companies, but sometimes they fail to do it. This happens for a variety of reasons; maybe the business owner is a perfectionist worried about getting it right or maybe discouragement has set in because clients are complaining. If you can’t seem to translate ideas into action, it’s time to hire a business coach. A coach can give you the boost you need to stop talking about what you want to do and actually do it.

You Hate Your Job

When you began your business, it was fun. You believed in your product or service and were passionate about helping people see its benefits. Now, running a business is drudgery. You have no one to confide in, and none of your tasks feel fun. A coach can be your confidant and help you focus on the things you love most about what you do. The more you focus on what you love, the more you’ll feel prepared to handle less desirable tasks. You’ll feel supported and over time, remember what compelled you to start a business in the first place.

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Embracing Remote Connectivity and the Gig Workforce

Many young workers do not share the same workplace values as older generations. Instead of compensation, millennials want to feel valued and experience flexible work arrangements. They may feel constrained in traditional office environments and roles. To become strong business leaders, many businesses are changing the way they look at the modern workforce.

The Appeal of Remote Workers for Businesses and Job Seekers

Remote employment and freelance work has grown in popularity for a number of reasons. Workers want to have control over what they do and when and where they do it. For individuals with diverse skillsets who may not fit into one position, flexible work represents an opportunity to build certain skills without feeling locked into one career path.

For employers, freelance and remote work significantly reduces overhead costs. Employers are typically not responsible for providing benefits to contractors, and remote workers do not need office space and don’t use building utilities while they work. Employers have also found that remote work improves their ability to find qualified talent. They can hire workers all over the world who meet their business needs either temporarily or permanently.

Enhancing the Remote Worker Experience

For freelancers and remote employees, the work arrangement can make or break the experience for both parties. Without the right collaboration tools, businesses may suffer from inefficiency, and remote work can become isolating. If you’re thinking about integrating remote work into your business model, here are some considerations to keep in mind:

• Collaboration tools – Businesses need reliable modes of communication for all remote workers. Think about the hardware requirements for the job as well as your communication needs.

  For instance, a geographically dispersed design team may need to communicate visually. Videoconferencing equipment can bridge geographical barriers without interrupting productivity.

• Strategy for production – Checks and balances keep government branches from stepping out of their bounds, and every business should also have a series of checks and balances to keep projects moving forward. Who will take responsibility for remote worker productivity? How will you measure quality and success?
   
• The business relationship – Humans are social creatures, generally speaking. In isolation, the business relationship can start to suffer. Before you release workers into a remote environment, plan for a way to help each individual feel connected to the larger organization. Consider hosting annual get-togethers, virtual meetings, and sending out routine updates to help everyone feel valued.
   
• Freelancers are not employees – Many of the same rules that apply to remote workers apply to freelancers, but not all. If you plan to hire a freelancer, talk to your business attorney about contracts and applicable employment laws.
   
• Prepare for cultural differences – When you expand your workforce – freelance or permanent – to various corners of the globe, create a plan for addressing cultural differences. Always talk to contractors and prospects about any customs that may affect operations.

Remote work may not work for every business or workforce. Each business should evaluate its goals and needs to create a new, mobile-friendly business model. Many businesses find that a hybrid approach with flexible in-office hours makes the most sense. Start slow with flex-hours, and then move to full-time remote work or freelance hiring processes. You may find a more fulfilling and efficient way of doing business.

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Additional Resources:

• Report: Rise of the Freelance Economy
• 4 Essentials for Setting Up Remote Workers to Succeed
• Freelancers Reshape Labor Market, Nature of Work