In the previous article we discussed the business of saying you are a coach.
An excerpt from the previous article:
Everyone is saying they are a coach for anything. This is what has become of the term coach. When starting my own practice as a Business Consultant over ten years ago all that came to mind was my interest in adding value to others and mentoring type of work is what interested me. At that time, in my part of the world, if you said you were a coach to someone, the assumption was you were speaking about your volunteer work and they would ask you, “Good for you, Little League or Soccer?” The concepts of coaching were at that time very California or Boston based. Yes, there were books and a few coaches around here and there, it was not a mainstream topic and certainly not a fully recognized profession for someone to undertake for a living other than Major League Baseball or the National Football League or the NBA and other similar sports teams.
In this article you are taken a step further as we discuss, how are you better than your competition? How about what differentiates you from everyone else in your field?
There are multiple levels to consider when answering these questions. For example, Many people would speak up about their responsiveness and customer care. Other people may refer to how many years they have experiencing their area of expertise.
The key point here is the list has to be authentic and be about you and what you deliver. Here are three items you might consider or not. The point is to get you thinking about your three key differentiators.
Listen to my client.
Honestly, ask yourself, when is the last time you worked with someone who fully and intently were only focused upon you? Your needs, your interests, are the only things they cared about? This is how I work with my clients.
My Network Becomes Your Resource
One of the resources I have developed throughout my years of experience in a variety of business and life adventures is my network. When we work together my network is there to go to work for you.
Return On Investment
Many coaches are asked immediately, what do you charge per hour? We are not having that discussion. First we must meet to determine what your needs are? What exactly are you seeking? Then we need to determine your time frame to meet these goals? Once we determine these answers the investment decision will be clearly be yours to make.
What sets you apart from the pack? What are your three key differentiating attributes?
Why not begin by posting these as comments right here?
Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.
I share my key differentiators through story, because when listed they aren’t necessarily different from others in my industry because it’s what’s expected of a coach in my industry. However, when I share them through my stories, clients get to know my personality and see if we are a fit because my personality is what makes me unique.
Jessica,
Plus your industry is going to love and relate better to stories! You are wise to utilize this methodology.
One of the key differentiators for me is that I’ve actually OWNED a successful business. It constantly amazes me how many business coaches have never owned a business and know only the theory, but have no experience in real life.
Sue,
Exactly! Having owned and run numerous businesses plus having held senior positions in major corporations
is what helps to identify me as an experienced well rounded coach.
This rings true for me: has to be authentic and be about you and what you deliver!
Trudy,
Yes and it is very obvious from your work this is exactly what you do!
Mitch,
There is a such a big difference between “being” a coach and “saying” you’re a coach. As I like to say “the revenue is in the relationship” and coaching relationships should produce results. 🙂
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Lisa,
Right On! Just like there is a difference between hiring a coach to work with and grow with and going to a coach because you want to talk to someone.
I’m with Sue I find it scary that some business coaches have never had any practical experience of their own in running a successful business. I also love that you are talking about what makes you unique in the marketplace – our entire company philosophy is based around this concept of what makes you unique makes you successful bravo!
Heidi,
It is almost too funny when the ‘business coach’ has no ability to discuss ROI and other critical business
terms. Seriously! How long can you hide under the rock?
Great exercise, Mitch. A few of the things that set me apart from other sales coaches, aside from my training and certification, is that I don’t just teach people how to sell better, I teach them to understand why people buy and how they can use that knowledge to serve more clients. My background is in sociology and mental health, so I have a keen understanding of human behavior. Most sales coaches come from the corporate or direct selling world, they don’t understand the nuances of selling services that create life-changing transformations the way that I do. I used to work with compulsive hoarders and they would pay me out of pocket to help them clear out their clutter so I have experience enrolling even the most “resistant” clients in an ethical and non-manipulative way.
Tiffany,
Good for you! Clearly you do not need to sell me on your attributes in selling!
I really like the idea of letting my clients know that my network is there for them. While I’m really good at what I do I know I can’t “do it all.” By building a great network of trusted referrals and associates I create a benefit for my clients. I’ve done the legwork and the networking so they don’t have to.
Mira,
It is a hidden gem! A perfect way to position yourself as being above the rest.