Not just for Christmas

20th October 2015

I have a wide range of clients, in many different business sectors, different sizes, and at different stages of development. When I start working with a client I tend to see them regularly, at least once every 3 to 4 weeks, but over time my clients may feel they don’t need quite such intense input, and tend to spread my visits out more. Initially perhaps to once every 6-8 weeks, and then once every quarter, or possibly even twice a year. However even when I am only seeing them at such intervals I still find that there is real value to be given, as invariably some aspects have slipped.

More often than not this is on the numbers side, where cash flows have been neglected, and the actual figures are no longer being entered into the spreadsheet, to see how they are faring against their forecast. As a result of this the business owners are often unable to answer my questions, and things come to light which have been swept under the carpet, or simply ignored. Sometimes this brings to light some unprofitable areas of the business, sometimes it can highlight changes in the break-even figure, but it always reminds them of the importance of keeping in control of the numbers.

Of course it isn’t always the numbers, sometimes it is the business owners being sucked back into doing too many tasks which should be delegated, so they are being overstretched. Sometimes it is allowing team members to get away with things, thereby breaking the “rules of the game”, and potentially causing disharmony in the team.

The point is that even though these successful business owners have thriving businesses, they will almost always keep benefiting from someone to challenge them and hold them accountable. In other words a coach isn’t just for Christmas……!

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