Business coach vs consultant

Getting things straight takes up a significant portion of the time I spend with my clients. We get clarification on the goals, current situation, underlying causes of issues, success, the intentions, and interpretations, as well as the meaning of all those.

In this article, I am focusing on what my title means, what my profession stands for, and why it matters to me.

In autumn 2020, a membership group I am a part of hosted a series of content-focused workshops (they have a theme each month). One of the sessions highlighted the aspect of definitions and interpretations. I realised that I often hear a business coach and a business consultant used as synonyms, yet they are not substitutes.

While each fulfils a role, they suit to different types of businesses and business leaders seeking support in various capacities. Have a look to see which one is best suited to your business.

Telling vs. guiding

Consultants are experts in their given areas. Suppose you realise what the problem is and need to address this specific issue related to productivity, how to increase your reputation, or get your pay-per-click campaign sorted, or get better product packaging. In that case, they are the experts to go to. If, however your business is on the brink of getting to the next level and you are not quite sure how to get there, a business coach is the one to find. They will analyse your specific situation, take your strengths and weaknesses into account, and guide you to an answer. You’ll get the capacity and resources – strategies and methodologies – to pinpoint the underlying issue. Business coaches focus on a broader perspective.

 

 

Working for you vs. working together

You hire a consultant for a specific task. They come, they see and use their expertise to tell you what to do, and some will even do it for you. Cooperation with a business coach relies on creating a relationship. This develops over time based on trust and a deep understanding of the business, its potential, and your personality, capabilities, ambitions. A business coach provides an outsider’s perspective, is a sounding board for your ideas, and asks questions (often difficult ones) to highlight possible solutions. They coach you on a path of personal and business growth at the same time.

It’s a partnership. You and your business coach are working together.

Short vs. long term

While both coaches and consultants’ objective is to solve the problem, each goes about it in a different way. Consultants focus on the problem straight away – as they are hired to perform a specific task. It’s a short-term, sharp intervention. A coach’s focus lies on the client – as they empower them to recognise problems and lead towards the solutions. While you often see improvements quickly, it is about the long-term, lasting solutions. Business coaching is all about you.

I often work with consultants, leveraging their expertise to quickly resolve an issue or make that step forward in a business strategy. But I am a business coach, so my focus is the client – my focus is you and working out a plan to scale your enterprise up.