Business Coaching: What Benefits Can a Business Coach Provide?

Coaching has become a leading aspect of modern management, including the development of both individuals and entire organizations. It is a dynamic process that helps business leaders achieve better results by developing their skills and broadening their awareness.

Furthermore, PCC or MCC certifications are becoming increasingly popular, and numerous academies are emerging to offer training for future coaches. In this article, we'll discuss what this type of coaching is and its benefits. We'll also explain the learning process and the benefits of working as a certified trainer or coach.

What is Business Coaching? Who are its clients?

Business coaching is a one-on-one coaching process designed to develop the skills of managers and entrepreneurs through personalized coaching sessions. The professional coach helps their client define career goals, define a plan to achieve them, identify obstacles, and develop effective strategies to overcome them.

These obstacles can be both external and internal beliefs. A coach continually accompanies the client on this journey, ensuring their motivation and monitoring their progress. Effectiveness and adapting the methods to the individual needs of the individual and their business are key.

What are the Differences Between Business Coaching and Coaching of Business?

In most cases, the terms "business coaching" and "coaching of business" are used interchangeably. However, according to some, there is a significant difference between them. The first one focuses on skills related to leadership and team management. This is primarily referred to as leadership development.

Business coaching, on the other hand, covers a broader range of topics related to business management, including leadership. In addition, it encompasses business models, strategic planning, finance, organizational development, succession management, and talent identification.

Both types of coaching aim to increase work efficiency and improve client needs and expectations.

What is the difference between a Business Trainer and a Business Coach?

The terms "business trainer " and "business coach " are sometimes used interchangeably. However, there is a fundamental difference between them, and it lies in the way they help clients.

To simplify somewhat, a business trainer, after understanding the company's needs, develops a comprehensive project or action plan that involves multiple individuals and typically includes training programs or development workshops attended by selected departments or managers. An example would be preparing an entire organization or part of it for transformation, led by a Certified Change Trainer.

In the latter case, the situation is different. A coach typically works 1-to-1 and focuses on the individual needs of the person. They may also conduct group coaching; however, in this case, they also focus on identified individual signals. They do not provide everyone with the same dose of knowledge.

What Skills Does a Business Coach Develop?

The areas of influence of coaching are broad. Coaching helps you develop skills that are useful not only in your professional life but also in your broader personal development. Among them, the following are particularly noteworthy:

• better self-knowledge by identifying your personality type and the natural preferences associated with it,

• discovering your strengths and weaknesses, identifying natural talents,

• building lasting interpersonal relationships,

• recognizing communication barriers and methods for overcoming them,

• developing mature assertiveness,

• coping with stress,

• conflict resolution,

• leadership competencies,

• goal setting and time management,

• building employee engagement,

• providing feedback,

• public speaking,

• and many other soft skills.

It is worth mentioning that many experienced coaches, at the express request of their clients, also use mentoring methods, sharing their experience directly.

Why is Business Coaching Effective?

This type of coaching plays a key role in business development and is becoming a staple, especially among international corporations such as Philip Morris, Coca-Cola, Sanofi-Aventis, and Roche. It is also promoted by leading consulting firms such as PwC, Accenture, and Arthur Andersen.

Thanks to coaching, managers, in particular, can better manage change, make better strategic decisions, and more effectively motivate their teams to achieve their goals. Well-conducted coaching contributes to increased efficiency and increased employee engagement, which directly translates into better business results.

Numerous studies measurably confirmed the effectiveness of coaching. You can find more information on this topic on the dedicated page of our coaching portal, " The Benefits of Coaching."

What Do Coaching Sessions Look Like?

The coaching contract, concluded at the beginning of the process, is tailored to the client's individual needs and is designed to develop key management skills. Each coaching session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes and can cover topics such as problem-solving, team motivation, change management, or developing new competencies. Conversations can be conducted individually or as part of a team coaching session.

And, it's worth emphasizing, most of this collaboration now takes place online. It could even be said that online coaching has revolutionized leadership development, a topic we discuss in depth in a separate article.

What Does Executive Coaching Mean? Can Only Managers Use It?

This type of coaching aims at individuals who hold key positions in companies, such as senior executives, board members, and leaders of large organizations. Its goal is to develop leadership competencies, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage large organizational structures.

It helps leaders better manage the challenges they face daily in increasingly uncertain VUCA and BANI times in a supportive and encouraging way. A coaching motto might be, "Never let yourself doubt that you can achieve anything you dream of."

Who Can Become a Business Coach?

Becoming a successful business coach requires specific personality traits, soft skills, and specialized knowledge. Many experienced HR professionals choose this path. However, not only HR Directors or HR Business Partners have the potential to become effective coaches. Anyone with the appropriate maturity, a high level of empathy, the ability to listen and build relationships, and a genuine interest in the development of others has a good chance of fulfilling their potential in professional coaching. The more experience — both professional and personal — the better.

Completing professional training and obtaining appropriate accreditations (e.g., from the International Coaching Federation) are essential elements in building credibility and professionalism in this field. But the most important thing is practice, practice, and more practice, ideally under the guidance of an experienced mentor, coach, or supervisor.

How to Become a Certified Coach?

The two most important organizations in the world whose certifications are most valued are the ICF (International Coach Federation) and the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council). There are different certification paths, each at a different level. Should you need more information, please visit the respective websites.

In each case, it is essential to complete an appropriate training program, which includes both theoretical knowledge and practical training, including coaching under the supervision of experienced assessors. You can be assured that each assessor has extensive practical experience in conducting individual and group processes, and most have coordinated and implemented large-scale training and coaching projects.

One of the most common paths to certification is completing training programs  (Accredited Coach Training Programs) offered by companies holding accreditations from the aforementioned organizations. These programs combine specialized knowledge with business experience.

Examples of such programmes available in Poland include: Business Coaching Diploma (Level 1) and Advanced Coach (Level 2) signed by PwC (the name PwC refers to companies belonging to the PriceWaterhouseCoopers network), Ericson Solution Focused Coach Certificates offered by the Jagiellonian University University in Krakow, and the training programme offered by the Norman Benett Academy of Coaching and Mentoring from Komorów.

What Does It Mean to Be ICF Certified?

The ICF is the largest organization of coaches worldwide. ICF certification is considered a benchmark of quality and professionalism in the coaching industry. To obtain certification, coaches must complete specialized training and document the required number of coaching hours.

Certifications such as PCC (Professional Certified Coach) or MCC (Master Certified Coach) are recognized indicators of a coach's high level of specialist knowledge.

Reaching this level provides coaches not only with knowledge but also validation of their competencies in the marketplace. Certification opens doors to working with clients worldwide and increases potential clients' confidence in the coach's skills.

For EMCC, an example of a higher-level certification is MTC (Master and Team Coach).

How is ICF Accreditation different from PCC or MCC Certification?

The ICF's ACC (Associate Certified Coach) accreditation may give a coach a competitive advantage, but it doesn't guarantee working with a professional. ACC simply means that the individual is a member of the ICF organization but hasn't yet completed the training and exams required for ICF-certified coaches. It's important to be aware of this important difference.

Summary: Most Important Things to Remember.

• Business coaching is a process of individual professional development for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs.

• Executive coaching is aimed at senior management, helping them develop strategic and leadership skills.

• Individual coaching sessions are tailored to clients' current needs and focus on developing key professional skills.

• Accreditations and certifications are important for building credibility in the coaching industry.

• A certified business coach helps clients in numerous ways and can work with clients around the world.

Obtaining certification is an investment that requires many hours of coursework and practical sessions, but it benefits both the coach and their clients. With the knowledge and skills they gain, coaches can effectively support their clients' skill development and help them achieve professional success.

Sources:

• European Mentoring and Coaching Council Poland

• 2024 PwC Poland (all rights reserved)

• Jagiellonian University

See also:

A good coach - who is that?

Who is a mentor?

Coaching vs. mentoring - learn the differences