One to One Coaching sessions provide a space for you to step out of life for a moment and reflect on the bigger picture � being self-employed can be like running on a treadmill, your not sure when to get off as there is always more to do. You can get bogged down in everyday tasks and Coaching can allow you to refresh your vision, motivation and aspirations what where you are going and what you want to achieve.

Being self-employed can be quite a lonely place to be. Sometimes you need a person who is completely independent of friends and family, who is there to listen and who is dedicated to helping you work through your thoughts, issues, and ideas.

If your not alone, but have a business partner or team, a Coach can provide the perfect space to get away from the internal planning and discuss your thoughts outside of the business in a creative way.

The distinction between Coaching and Business Advice can often be confused, so we have attempted to define the boundaries between the two different roles. Both a Adviser and a Coach can be a valuable addition to your team to bring different attributes and skills.

• A Coach provides guidance to support your personal and professional development, working in an equal partnership with the client.
• Role: A Coach focuses on working with you on your journey through the reflection, review and development of your personal and professional skills and their application, with the intention of helping you action plan, solve problems and assess opportunities.
• Purpose: Goal Orientated
• A Business Adviser assesses and advises you on the development of your business model.
• Role: A Business Adviser will impart specialist business advice, challenging concepts, and provide industry insight
• Purpose: Business Task Orientated

Do an initial mind-mapping of your own needs � is it expertise, advice, skill development, a sounding board, idea generation, etc. � This will help you determine if you need a coach, an adviser or both.

For a Coach

• It is important to find a coach who is in-tune with your business and social values.
• Someone you have a good rapport with and confidence to share concerns. .
• Identifying a Coach with suitable business acumen and understanding. .
• An introductory session with your coach is essential to ensure that you are suitably matched and comfortable to continue the coaching relationship. .
• It is important to consider a series of sessions and associated costs. .
• Agreeing on goals of what you want to achieve. .

For an Adviser

• Identifying someone to complement your weaknesses .
• It is important to identify the business strengths/expertise that you want them to provide � Industry or Skill Specific.
• It is important to anticipate the number of hours of expertise you require and what they can offer.
• It is important to consider whether it is free or paid consultancy.
• Agreeing on expectations of what they can offer .

You can take on a coach or a adviser without a real sense of what you want to gain from it. This can cause frustration in the relationship if expectations or goals are not set in advance to determine the certain outcomes. So how to do maximize the value of the relationship �

• In advance, identify three specific goals or tasks that you want to achieve.
• During the Introductory Session, provide a context and background for the coach/adviser so they can understand your circumstances and what you need from them.
• Set a realistic time frame for working towards and achieving these three goals throughout the course of the relationship - prioritise.
• Define the Coaching Space - agree of a way to communicate in the future � set dates for future sessions, and when appropriate to meet/email/phone.
• Set aside a time for reviewing the working relationship and respective progress.
• Communicate if your needs change during the relationship.

How do you know if coaching is being effective?

This should be easy to measure if you set expectations and goals at the beginning of the relationship. The relationship may last for a duration of six months, a year or longer, depending on the nature of the goals and the entrepreneur�s need. At the end of the relationship having an official closure meeting to discuss progress and achievements and provide an opportunity to give two-way feedback on how you feel the relationship went.