Business Start-Up Coaching
Whatever the catalyst for starting your own business — a brilliant idea, a desire to provide a better service, a need to be your own boss, a tempting business opportunity, a lifestyle change, your own ambition — most entrepreneurs will tell you that working for yourself can be as draining as it can be rewarding. If you are choosing this path with the aim of spending more time on the golf course, then think again! Taking advantage of changing markets and consumer needs involves clear thinking, fast responses and a continuous positive attitude. No one said it’s easy. A strong coaching relationship provides unconditional support and encouragement at each stage of growth, as well as a sounding board for your decision-making.
Using her own entrepreneurial background, recruitment expertise and business growth training at Cranfield School of Management, Zena coaches mid-career professionals embarking on a freelance career or business start-up for their second career. Her coaching enables entrepreneurs to take advantage of every opportunity by ensuring they have:
- A clear vision to provide the driving force behind all other actions.
- Direction, purpose, focus and energy
- Communication skills to articulate their vision, to inspire customers and recruit like-minded staff
- Time-management skills to balance running a business and growing it: doing the books and the admin takes up lots of time but doesn’t grow a sales pipeline
- A clear understanding of their target market, niche and product/service offering
- Marketing and networking skills to win and retain high-quality, high-value loyal clients
- A sustainable business model with systems and processes that support growth
- Delegation and people management skills, particularly when hiring staff and learning how to work both in and on the business
- Self-awareness and confidence — to develop resilience for the bad times as well as the good
In addition to the coaching/mentoring relationship with Zena, we also have a network of highly-respected associates such as David Glassman who support SMEs in writing business plans and gaining funding to take our clients through the next stages of their business cycle, as well as access to appropriate legal and accountancy support.
Costs for start-up coaching vary according to frequency and location, but we aim to make packages as affordable as possible to support you in the early stages of growth. For the first step, please email zena@second-careers.co.uk and include a day-time contact number.
"Zena really helped me gain the focus and direction I needed to get my business up and running. Her support and encouragement helped pinpoint my strengths and gave me the confidence to put my ideas into action. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone thinking of starting a business." — Jane Rogers, www.janerogerspr.co.uk
"Thanks so much for listening, understanding and suggesting. You've been really helpful and inspiring!" — Rachel Price, www.yogawithatwist.co.uk.