A good business coach always gets the best out of his clients
Just last Tuesday, a new client sat down with us, his eyes reflecting first sceptical fatigue, then growing enthusiasm. Peter - let's call him that - was a mid-market business leader who had struggled for years to motivate his team and achieve growth targets. But after three months, he left us a completely different person: confident, with a clear vision and a team that was finally pulling in the same direction.
This story illustrates it perfectly, what it means when a good business coach really brings out the best in his or her clients. But what makes the coaches who don't just talk the talk, but make a real difference?
What makes a good business coach different from the rest?
The world of coaching is now a crowded one, with many people trying their luck as coaches in Hungary and abroad. But not all of them are able to achieve lasting results. A good business coach has not only theoretical knowledge, but also with practical experience is, acquired over decades in management and business environments.
Yes, I know that many people say that a coach does not necessarily need to understand the field or specialism in which his client is moving. And that is true, but the emphasis is on not necessarily, in our opinion, which is because it seems that a coach who has worked and is experienced in sales management can help a sales manager, for example, much more effectively. We won't go into the details now, but if you want to know, leave a comment below or send us a message using the message form in the footer and we will answer your question.
The importance of experience and expertise
In CoachLab's experience, the most successful coaches are those who have led companies themselves, facing the challenges of everyday business life. Why is this important? Because a good business coach not only understands the problems in theory, but has experienced them first hand.
"Coaching is not about telling people what to do. It's about helping them discover what they can do." - John Whitmore
How can the effectiveness of coaching be measured?
International research clearly shows the positive effects of coaching. A Harvard Business Review study found that coaching increased individual productivity by 22%, while FMI reported that 87% of respondents agreed that executive coaching provides a high return on investment (ROI).
What methods does an effective business coach use?
1. SMART objectives and clear strategy
A good business coach always SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals with your customers. This is not just a methodological requirement, it is the basis for success. It is not always efficient and it is not always appropriate for the client. E.g.: Many managers - especially from an international background - are up against a wall, they can't stand it as much as they use it in their daily business life. 🙂
Practical example with an anonymous customer:
We were approached by the head of a 50-person IT company to "improve the efficiency of the team". In three weeks, we set specific, measurable goals: a 15% increase in project completion rate, a 20% reduction in lead times, and the introduction of monthly team-building meetings. Six months later, all three targets had been exceeded, simplified and, among other things, because they were constantly monitored and kept in focus.
2. Using the STAR method
A STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model, the coach and the client analyse past successes and failures together to draw lessons from them.
3. A personalised approach
Who do we recommend a good business coach for? - the Answer for all! 🙂
- Start-up entrepreneurs who want to avoid typical mistakes
- For experienced managers who want to take their company to the next level
- For team leaders who have difficulties with motivation
What are the most important qualities of a good business coach?
Credibility and reliability
The effectiveness of coaching is fundamentally based on trust. A good business coach predictable, consistent and always keeps its promises. This is particularly important in a business environment where the impact of decisions can be directly measured.
Practical orientation
The best coaches don't think in abstract theories, but offer concrete, applicable solutions. Is it important? Of course! In business, there is no time for lengthy theoretical discussions.
| Coaching type | Average duration | Main advantages | Typical ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| executive coaching | 6-12 months | Leadership skills, strategic thinking | 500-700% |
| Team coaching | 3-6 months | Cooperation, communication | 300-500% |
| Entrepreneurial coaching | 4-8 months | Business growth, efficiency | 400-600% |
How to choose a good business coach?
What questions should you ask?
- How many years of experience in a business environment?
- What results have you achieved with previous clients?
- How do you measure the success of coaching?
- What methods do you use?
Why choose CoachLab?
A CoachLab Coaching Services has a wealth of experience in executive coaching and organisational development territory. Our clients include start-ups, entrepreneurs and multinational companies.
A good business coach always offers personalised solutions, in addition to or in line with business coaching career coaching-about, sales coaching-or life coaching-about.
What are the most common benefits of coaching in business?
According to the research, 95% of coaching clients give their coach a "good" or "excellent" rating and 96% would repeat the process and we did not find specific figures for this but a significant proportion would or do continue coaching, i.e. not just a process. This high satisfaction rate clearly shows that whether coaching works - and yes, it works effectively.
Specific benefits:
- Increase in revenue: Effective sales coaching can lead to a revenue increase of up to 16.7%
- Better teamwork: After executive coaching, team cooperation improves significantly
- A clear strategy: The objectives and the way to achieve them become crystal clear
But in the business world is all coaching useful? Definitely not. Only coaches who really understand the business process and are able to offer practical advice when needed will achieve lasting results.
Related topics and current trends
The coaching industry is constantly changing and evolving. The global online coaching market is expected to exceed $5.4 billion by the end of 2026, reflecting the growing demand.
Digital coaching and hybrid solutions
The modern good business coach no longer bases its work solely on face-to-face meetings. It can also use technology to provide more efficient and flexible services in digital, online form.
Summary: A good business coach really brings out the best
A good business coach not just talk, but get measurable results. Our experience shows that clients who are committed to change and open to new approaches invariably achieve positive results.
Is it worth investing in the services of a good business coach? Statistics and practical experience clearly yes provide an answer to this question. The question is when you start.
To find out more about our coaching services, visit our CoachLab blog or check out coaching prices. For more information, we recommend the Coach Search platform, where you can choose from the best coaches in Hungary.
