What is the Difference Between Business Coaching and Business Consulting?
Running a business is a great way to build wealth. However, it is a path that can be filled with a myriad of challenges. It is during these difficult times that a helping hand becomes invaluable.
This assistance usually comes in two forms: business consulting and business coaching.
A promising yet greenstart-up business owner would gain more benefits by approaching a business consulting in Charlottesville, as opposed to a coach. In contrast, it can be more cost-efficient for an established company in a slump to try business coaching in Washington DC.
Knowing when to hire a business coach or a business consultant can be what makes or breaks a company, especially if they are in dire need of help.
What is a Business Consultant?
A business consultant is someone with professional business qualifications. They are hired to lend assistance and share their expertise to help companies solve their problems. Consultants are subject matter expert. They are often people who know the industry or specific experience in areas of the business.
They can teach necessary skills, analyze the business, advise on necessary strategies, give outlines for changes needed, and create much-needed action plans. Business consultants can play an active role in revitalizing the business operations, provide advice and training, or act as facilitators.
What is a Business Coach?
A business coach is someone who guides people, rather than the business itself. Similar to how sports coaches guides the players and bring out the best in them, a business coach is often hired to help the company leaders and employees adopt the right mindset.
Instead of providing new knowledge and insight about the business, their focus is on helping the people running the company develop their purpose. Coaches take on a mentorship role, rather than an expert or analytical one.
A business coach also helps address the following issues:
• Motivation and purpose
• Self-confidence
• Time management
• Action planning
• Accountability and clarity
• Removing distractions
Consulting vs. Coaching: How to Tell Which One You Need
In short, there are two identifying differences between business consulting and business coaching. The first is who does the bulk of the work to make change happen in the business.
A consultant will likely be taking on most of the workload when helping a business owner to resolve problems. A coach, however, will likely only offer guidance and help the owner come up with the solutions.
Second is who they focus on helping, whether it's the business itself or the people running it. A consultant will focus on analyzing and improving the business operations while a coach will do the same but for the business leaders.
Here are some questions to ask to help you identify which of the two you would benefit from the most.
Do You Want Advice or Empowerment?
Coaches help empower the people behind the business. If you feel overwhelmed and discouraged to find a proper solution for the problems the company is facing, you may need a business coach. They can help renew your motivation and make you feel more empowered to find new, creative solutions.
Meanwhile, consultants offer valuable and expert business advice. If you want someone to bounce ideas off of or to provide more insight into the industry, then it’s better to approach a consultant.
Do You Need Instruction or Guidance?
Instruction and guidance may seem like the same thing, but they are not. Take learning to ride a bicycle, for instance. A consultant is someone who will teach you how to do it, provide a manual, and demonstrate riding a bike for a short while.
Meanwhile, a coach would have you on the bike while talking and guiding you through the process. They hold you steady while still giving you full control of the experience.
If you want someone to teach you a concept, process, strategy, or method in the business, then you should hire a consultant. If you want someone to help you go through the process of discovering those for yourself, then hire a coach.
Do You Want to Diagnose a Problem or Someone to Talk to?
A good business coach is someone who listens well and without judgment. They often act as a sounding board. They guide their clients to find the solutions themselves by asking insightful questions.
On the other hand, a business consultant is an expert who can help identify the company’s problems and weak spots. Moreover, as subject matter experts, they can readily provide solutions and recommendations to solve the problems they identify.
If you need a business assessment and quick solutions, then you need a business consultant. However, if you want to figure out the solution yourself and just need a guide, then it’s better to see a business coach.
Deciding Between a Business Consultant and Coach
Both consulting and coaching can provide much-needed guidance. However, the two have vastly different approaches and goals. Their use and effectiveness hinge on correctly complementing the business owners’ needs and experience.
If you need professional business assistance and guidance, Kellen Consulting Group is just a phone call away. We offer a comprehensive suite of consulting services, including business coaching, consulting, assessments, and team developing.
Whether you need business consulting in Charlottesville or a business coach in Washington, DC, our expert team is here to help. Call us today at 540-460-3800 to schedule a meeting.