Please take a moment to read this. I hope it will answer some of the questions you have.
How long have you been doing what you do and how did you become a Business Acceleration Coach?
To answer your question, it's probably best if I start with what happened to me as a very green and naive business owner. It was late in 1998. At the beginning of that year I'd left my corporate job and started up a private recruitment business, working from my home in Hampshire. I got clients quite quickly but not enough to pay all the bills.
Pretty soon it became clear that, either I had to find a way of getting more business, or I'd have to start looking through the job pages. The thought of working for someone else again, having to commute in ever-increasing traffic queues and losing my independence was a very unpleasant wake-up call.
Now, I'm rather a stubborn soul and I don't give up easily! So I read every book I could find on marketing and selling and I went on lots of courses. I wanted to know as much as possible about getting more business, doing it quickly, and at low cost! After all this research I became a mini-expert on the subject.
Within 6 months my recruitment business was doing well, I had a steady stream of clients and some good quality contacts. At around this time I also started life coaching.
I started to get paying coaching clients and what nearly all of them wanted was for me to help them build and grow their own businesses. I loved this work and decided to specialise in coaching and mentoring small business owners.
I have now coached literally hundreds of business owners, spoken in front of countless groups, held workshops and created the Accelerate Business programmes which contain the steps that every small business owner needs to apply to get more business quickly.
What kind of clients do you work with?
I work mainly with Entrepreneurs and the owners of micro and small businesses, just like you. What you all have in common is that you are very good at what you do and start your business full of enthusiasm. However, you have never been taught what you need to do to get enough clients or how to get them consistently to avoid that 'feast or famine' cycle that so often makes you give up.
I have worked with all kinds of professions, including:
PR Agencies
Marketing Consultants
Life Coaches
Training Consultants
Financial Advisors
Event Planners
Virtual Assistants
Management Consultants
Business Coaches
ICT Consultants
Web Designers
Teachers
Reflexologists
Aromatherapy Practitioners
Estate Agents
Recruitment Consultants
How can you help me if you haven't worked with someone in my field before?
While the chances are that I have worked with a business owner in a similar field, amongst literally hundreds of clients over the last few years, if I haven't, that's not necessarily a bad thing. What I've found is that nearly all business owners in a particular field are doing the same things to get business. What I can do is to bring a fresh perspective and give my clients different resources to try that they haven't thought of before. This makes them stand out from their competitors and get those new clients.
How are you different from other 'Business Coaches'?
I'm convinced that having a unique background of corporate business development, starting and building my own small businesses and being qualified to provide high quality coaching sets me apart from other business coaches. A lot of the larger coaching operations use a 'one size fits all' approach. I disagree with this because, although business owners may be faced with similar challenges, they are all individuals and so I work them 'as a person' as well as on their business.
How does Business Coaching work?
We set up regular private meetings, either face-to-face or by telephone, or a combination of the two. During these meetings we wil plan how you're going to grow your business and get your message right. We will agree assignments for you to do between meetings. You will receive full back-up materials and resources, worksheets, useful websites and reading recommendations. You will also receive total support from me via email between sessions. Our one-on-one meetings or calls will help to keep you on track and accountable so that you reach your business goals faster than you ever would on your own.
What results can I expect?
You can expect to:
- Create a compelling message that makes your prospective customers want to find out more
- Make your business stand out from your competitors
- Learn how to handle your time more efficiently so that you have time for more clients - and to make more money
- Feel confident and comfortable about the selling process
- Go out and network effectively
- Keep your customers coming back for more
- Stay accountable to your goals and achieve them
- Make more money and enjoy your business even more than you do now
- Put in place systems so that you get a steady stream of new clients and avoid the 'feast and famine' cycle
- Work smarter at building your business, without having to work harder
- Regularly review your business goals and action plans to keep the momentum going
How quickly can I expect results?
This really depends on where you're starting from and how committed you are to completing your assignments. If your business is just starting up then it may take a little longer to get everything in place. Typically my clients see results in just a couple of months, in the form of new prospects, turning more existing prospects into clients and receiving referrals from those clients. However, business coaching is not a 'quick fix', it requires commitment and consistent action on your part to make things happen, keep them happening and get the results you want.
Will I get back the investment I put into business coaching?
Yes, without a doubt! Usually my clients tell me that just one new client more than covers the cost of coaching, especially if they use the systems they learn to get repeat orders. But remember, what you're investing in is not just one new client but a steady stream of them! The more you put into what we cover, the more profit you will get out.
How long would we work together?
Again, this depends on where you're starting from and how committed you are to taking action. Some clients find that they are getting the results they want in 4-6 months. Others like the way that coaching keeps them on track and decide to continue meeting up once a month for as long as they feel the need (sometimes for a couple of years!). It really is up to you. However, I usually recommend to new clients that they commit to at least 3 months so that they see results from their hard work.
If I'm not sure that I'm ready to start, how can I sample your work to find out if business coaching is right for me?
If you can spare a couple of hours, I'd be happy to talk to you about where you are now in your business and what you want from it in the future. I call this a 'Pink Business Check' - because we find out if your business is in the pink! Afterwards I give you some recommendations to consider, so you will have an idea of what the coaching sessions will cover. Call me on 023 9246 0845 or email to louise@frontline-results.com and we can set up the meeting straight away.
Alternatively, if you just want to dip your toe in the water, you can sign up for my free fortnightly e-newsletter 'Competitive Advantage'. All my clients get this too. You get tips every issue on building your business, networking, and a bit of personal development as well. Just go to www.frontline-results.com/newsletter.html to subscribe.
I'm so busy with my business and my family that I don't know if I can spare the time for coaching. How much time will I need?
If you can spare just one hour a week, you will be taking one small step every week and learning one new idea a week - plus a bit of time for your assignments. The more time you can spare, the quicker you will see results. I do understand that you're busy so we can arrange to work weekly or fortnightly in the beginning, whatever suits you best. And, if we work over the phone, you can cut down on travel time too.
Here's the crunch question! How much does it cost?
It depends on whether you want to meet up in person or work by telephone. I meet locally with clients for £150 a session and telephone sessions are £130 each.
Payment for the first 4 sessions is due in advance and can be made either by cheque, bank transfer, or credit card via Paypal.
OK, I'm interested but I still have a couple of questions, can I call you?
Absolutely! This is an important decision for you and your business. You can either call me during office hours on 023 9246 0845 or email your questions to louise@frontline-results.com.
