FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are the ten most frequently asked questions about coaching and The Next Level. It is important to understand that the responses include our values and philosophies.
1. What is a business/personal coach?
There are many individuals that use the title of business and/or personal coach. Each has their own reason for choosing this profession and the qualifications and experience levels are too numerous to list. Generally, these coaches work with you with custom designed programs to meet your needs. They are like a football or baseball coach; sometimes they refer to themselves as personal trainers for the business person.
Based on your needs we tailor our coaching to meet your personal and business concerns. We take the generalized characteristics of coaching and format them to fit you and your organization. As an example, there are offensive and defensive coaches, line, backfield and quarterback coaches and there is a head coach. We coach on a global or strategic level (head coach) as well as on the basic fundamental levels of your business or organization. We know how to be many types of coaches, therefore, we carefully choose the ones that will have the most positive impact on you and your business for the long term.
2. How do you differ from the other coaches and consultants?
The concepts we use have been personally created over the past twenty years based on our experience in our previous businesses and careers as well as with our clients. We have been senior executives with successful organizations and have experienced most of the same issues you are facing. We continue with our education to remain updated in the most innovating and productive ways of conducting business. Many coaches and consultants “bring to the table” wonderful ideas but too often it ends there. We facilitate a concept known as “The Process” that The Next Level, LLC has trademarked and is the foundation for our coaching. It facilitates a unique opportunity for our clients to “self discover” their own personal and business issues without the feeling of an outside influence. In other words, when the clients “own” their discoveries they are more willing to implement the actions that accomplish their goals. There is a greater meaning to the clients when it is their ideas rather than “it’s the consultant’s plan.”
We are not interested in giving you a fish; we want to teach you how to fish. This enables you to continue with the processes after we finish our assignment and provides continuing success.
“The Process” introduces expectations, a missing ingredient in both identifying and solving problems. Accountability allows all aspects of the organization to have an “owner” which eliminates “it’s not my job” and the two most destructive pronouns in business—“we" and "they.” Finally “talking a good game” is replaced with “no conversation ends with a conversation.” Every action has clear expectations, one individual is accountable and time frames for completion are clear.
3. How do I know if I am selecting the right coach?
Our philosophy in selecting the right coach is that it must be a mutual process. As in any partnership it takes two individuals to have a successful relationship. We spend time with you and your key individuals before an engagement to make sure that we understand what it takes to reach your goals. The “chemistry” must be right because our coaching is a personal involvement. We become partners with you not only during our assignment but in our ongoing follow up. Many of our clients become good friends and we like it like that!
We know that we cannot partner with everyone that contacts us and we know that in approximately fifteen percent of the cases there is not a match. This is usually due to the fact that the chemistry is not right, the timing is wrong, we are in an area outside of our expertise and experience or we do not believe the individual truly wants to change.
We insist on having an extremely high level of success and our clients are our best advertising. We will not accept an assignment if we feel we cannot be successful.
4. What areas of my business do you coach?
The short answer is only those areas we know that we can be a part of your success. We have partnered with hundreds of organizations successfully and have an exceptional track record. (see TESTIMONIALS) Our commitment to you is if we cannot help we will tell you. Remember it is your success that keeps us successful.
5. How much of my time do you need to coach me and my company?
You have a business to run and we are conscious of your time. In reality we have more time available to devote to this partnership than you do. Therefore, we develop a schedule around your activities that allows you to actively participate in this partnership. You will not have to worry about having the time for your other endeavors. You will find that like our other clients you will actually have more free time for outside business activities because you will be getting “a higher return on your time investment.”
6. How long of an engagement is required?
Our engagements range from three to six months. There is no quick fix or a magic bullet to solve our clients’ needs. We are your coaches and partners until the processes that need to be in place become part of the organizations’ culture. It takes this much time to have a lasting effect and to build a strong foundation for future success. In the great majority of cases we are asked to stay longer because the agreed upon goals have been accomplished in this time frame and new ones have been identified.
For some of our clients one engagement is enough to get their businesses on a better track. About 50% of our clients ask us to return for one or more additional engagements. We do not want to wear out our welcome but we welcome additional engagements if requested. Some clients ask us to return annually for a “check up.”
Our minimum fees are $5,500 per month and move upward depending on the scope of the engagement plus the number of coaches partnering with you. Travel expenses and any necessary materials are additional. These fees are known ahead of time and there are never any “surprises” on an invoice.
Our goal is not to be a financial hardship on any organization and we facilitate the opportunities for your company to more than pay for our services in increased revenues and profits. If we don’t believe you will see an immediate increase in your profits, more than offsetting our fees, we won’t engage in a partnership with you.
8. What have been your results with other companies?
Success for both the clients and ourselves!! In our Letter of Agreement we spell out each issue to be addressed and this becomes a true working document. The client and coach review each month what has been accomplished and what priorities will be addressed the next month. Because a great deal of thought and time goes into the Letter of Agreement all parties concerned know what to expect and what has to be delivered. The client always knows where he/she stands in the process.
Further, The Letter of Agreement states that if at any time or for any reason the client wished to terminate the agreement we will stop our engagement.
9. When is the best time to get started?
The simple answer is NOW — TODAY, NOT TOMORROW — because our clients continually make the comment, “why did it take me so long, I wish I had known about this earlier.” As we have built relationships with these individuals we have come to realize they work in a reactionary and crisis environment and it is hard to think about taking the time to deal with the business more effectively. Being stressed and “putting out fires” becomes the daily routine and “I’ll think about it tomorrow” is their mantra.
The “perfect time” is now! It is not after you hire an individual, or when a certain project is over, or when you get the financials, or when your business slows down. We have heard all of these procrastinations and dozens more. Our comments are not intended to be a “sales pitch” as we never pitch our services. Rather, it is intended to share with you the value of looking into how soon you can relieve daily stress, increase profitability, and make your business rewarding and a fun place to be.
Don’t wait to learn how you can begin to delegate effectively, stop worrying as much about the business, increase the return on your time investment, and have your employees do what you want them to do even before they are told. (see TESTIMONIALS)
10. How do you begin the process?
Call or email us today. We will walk you through the process of our facilitation and schedule a time with you to learn more about yourself and your organization. We will spend this time with you to determine if there is a fit and can we be of significant help to you. Our objective is to be your partner, mentor, confident and sounding board to facilitate reaching your goals. We do not charge a coaching fee for this initial stage of fact finding; only travel expenses.