The secret of business success: not all business coaches are the same

With so many coaches out there bidding for business attention, where does a business start looking and who has actually got your best interests at heart? Adrian Malpass, a business coach in Gloucestershire, has lifted the lid on why business coaching can work and what makes his approach different and, crucially, successful.

Adrian is keen to make business coaching and mentoring desirable and fashionable. He says it's not usually for failing businesses, but much like the phenomenon of having a therapist or psychologist at hand in the work place, the business coach is the go-to for all things progressive or where a boost is required. After all, businesses need, he says, to look forward and find their own path. ‘My emphasis is on giving the clientexactlywhat they need. I do not ask them to blindly follow a prescribed system, which most ‘advisers/coaches' do (which is unlikely to give them what they need as no two businesses are the same). I create something entirely bespoke for my clients.'

Adrian believes business coaching is a fundamental part of any healthy business and his approach is reaping rewards for many businesses in Gloucestershire and beyond. His view is that it's all about his approach and attention to the client: ‘Purist professional coaches would say there shouldn't be any difference in style from one coach to another (as the coach's personal influence should always remain neutral). However, in practice, the coach's personality inevitably comes through, and their particular experience brings empathy, not least as coaching can be a very intense, intimate space for both parties.'

Whilst this might bring about a sense of anxiety for some businesses, the realisation that getting down to the detail of what's going to bring the business the success and rewards it deserves is what draws businesses to Adrian and his unconventional approach. ‘My style is probably something along the lines of patient, calm,expert, highly intuitive, knowledgeable, exceptional, assured, precise.I generally prefer to work with businesses in the 2-100 employee range, where their internal skills/experience are outweighed by the needs of running and leading the business itself. Other clients can be individuals, or teams, usually in a position of responsibility within an organisation, who are looking to address concerns or opportunities associated with leadership and management.

‘Where there is a need for a project leader, inany project scope, I'm there. The more complex the better - and particularly if the project has "gone off the rails" or has stalled in some way. When businesses find that growth has stalled, or is proving challenging to manage, I act as the trouble-shooter or solution-provider.'

Adrian's business facts:

- 80% of start-ups don't reach their fifth birthday

- 80% of business owners agree they "know" how to run a business (despite having little or no relevant skills or experience)

- 80% of business owners never develop their business management or leadership skills

- 80% of business closures are directly attributable to the business not being run properly

Adrian is very clear about what success looks like for the business he works with. ‘Success is when the business is better led, better organised, calmer, less stressful for those involved, and ultimately more successful. A tree can only survive with healthy roots, a strong trunk, and when it is properly nourished.

‘The length of the business coaching relationship depends on the need. For example, project-based assignments inevitably have a limited time, and sorting specific leadership/management issues also tend to have a limited time. Any business adviser should effectively pay for themselves through the benefits they bring to your business.'

Adrian is adamant thatit is crucial that businesses find business coaches who are real and qualified. He says: ‘Despite an estimated 20,000 qualified coaches in the UK, it is estimated there could be 10 times as many people calling themselves ‘coaches' who have no relevant qualifications whatsoever, or even properly understand what coaching is (as opposed to what mentoring, or training, or teaching, etc is). These represent as much of a risk to their clients as an unqualified accountant.'

Adrian can be found at:http://adrianmalpass.com/

Tel: 01242-672440

Email:insight@adrianmalpass.com

-Ends-

For more information, or an interview with Adrian, please contactclaire@garfunkelcommunications.co.uk

Photo credit: Andy Hockridge