Business Coach Vs. Consultant: Which One Is Right For You?

Business Coach Vs. Consultant: Which One Is Right For You?
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

"I spent 15K on a Business Coach, but I feel like she didn't really teach me anything... I really just wanted someone to TELL me what to do for my business!"

This is one of the (many) comments I've heard recently, regarding business coaching and consulting.

Why? Because many entrepreneurs and small business owners just don't know what the difference between a business coach and a consultant is. This also means that they themselves don't know which one they actually need for their business.

And that's a shame!

Working with the right business coach or consultant can truly help you take your business to new heights. The support and guidance you receive will save you SO much time and money, when it comes to creating and nurturing a profitable business.

Think about it...
You have a professional who has actually built a successful business (or 2 or 3) providing you with support, knowledge and know how.

BUT there is a big difference between the role a business coach plays and a business consultant plays.

So let's get you some much needed clarity, so you can decide which one you actually need! (Or if you require the services of both.)

2016-06-20-1466385756-5601646-peopleofficegroupteam.jpg

What Does A Business Coach Do?

A business coach works with you to develop the skills you already have. They work to bring out the "best" of you.

A business coach helps you develop your purpose, brainstorms with you and motivates you in your business.

Many business coaches also address mindset issues such as: limiting beliefs, fear and self sabotage (which are extremely important to address).

They also provide support and accountability to ensure that you're following through on your action steps!

Overall, the result is you having a "plan of action" for your business (after brainstorming), and your coach will support you as you implement it.

What Does A Business Consultant Do?

A business consultant is more of an expert you turn to for help with your business. They teach you skills you don't know, analyze your business and create an action plan for you to implement.

They are well versed in business planning and strategy, which they use to help gauge the direction and scalability of your business. They also work with you regarding customer acquisition and retention, systems, packaging of services, pricing, sales and marketing!

Business consultants analyze the goals you have for your business and help you create the plan of action required for you to actually accomplish those goals!

Which One Do You Need?

Honestly, I think you need both to run a successful business! And that's why in my business, I operate as a coach/consultant hybrid. I combine the clarity, accountability and support with the more technical side of business, such as: sales, marketing, lead generation etc.

If you're trying to decide which service you need right now, here's a great way to look at it --

A coach is like a partner, while a consultant is more like an advisor... make sense?

So when trying to decide which you need to hire, think about:

1. What you know about running a business.

2. The level of support you require.

3. The results you would like to achieve.

Then, get out there and start scheduling consultations or "discovery calls", and be VERY upfront as to the level of support you're seeking!

Knowing the difference between a business coach and consultant can save you a lot of time and a ton of disappointment, so I hope this has clarified the difference for you.

Which one do you think you need for your business? Leave a comment below and let me know!

P.S. Over at The Savvy Business Belle, I offer a complimentary 30 minute strategy session for those who are seeking business support. Click Here to apply for one.

Until next time -- Stay Savvy!

Chanel, The Savvy Business Belle, is a Business Success Strategist and Clarity Coach. She coaches FIERCE, freedom driven entrepreneurs who crave success in business AND in life.

Through masterful coaching and strategy sessions, she helps entrepreneurs whip their businesses into money making powerhouses, in TOTAL alignment with their unique passions. Chanel's mission is to empower, ignite and influence entrepreneurs to achieve their OWN version of success and TRUE freedom!

And when she's not off creating marketing plans and diving into businesses, you can find her chasing after her toddler, or indulging in really good gelato and the occasional Netflix binge.

Meet Chanel and get ready to change your business AND your life forever at www.thesavvybusinessbelle.com

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot