Key Distinctions

Monday Distinction #17

Fortunately for millions of people throughout the world, the coaching profession is being recognized for the valuable contribution it makes to the lives of individuals and the productivity of organizations.

Along with the growing prominence of the profession is also a bit of confusion about the differences between various coaching specialities. 

In the past few months, I have answered lots of questions about these distinctions and realize that a bit of clarification would be helpful.       So … here goes!

Business Coaching is a type of coaching intended to be of greatest benefit to the underlying business.  This type of coaching is all about helping coaching clients strengthen their personal foundation, business systems and personal/business processes as necessary to build and develop sustainable businesses.  So … while there is certainly a personal and life component to business coaching, the ultimate beneficiary is the business.  Most often, this type of coaching includes a focus on business systems, marketing plans,  client development and helping entrepreneurs develop skills necessary to hold it all together.  Small Business Coaching is a more narrow component of business coaching.

Executive Coaching is a type of coaching intended to be of greatest benefit to a corporation.  Most often, this type of coaching includes a focus on increasing the executives’ leadership, management, profit-generating and team building skills.    So … while these components involve an executive’s whole life, the ultimate goal is to develop stronger leaders for stronger and more profitable corporations.

Career Coaching is a type of coaching intended to help clients excel in their careers. This can involve helping clients achieve accelerated success in their current career or transitioning to a new career.  Career coaching also incorporate elements of life coaching as clients most often have to make adjustments in their life to reach greater heights in their careers; however, the intended beneficiary is a client’s career.

Life Coaching is a type of coaching intended to help clients revolutionize their life.  Life coaching touches on a client’s personal and professional relationships, strengths, weaknesses, life outlook and sometimes their purpose for being.  The intended beneficiary is the client’s whole life.

                                                        Final Analysis

The major distinction between the coaching specialities is the intended beneficiary of the coaching relationship along with the particular coach’s experience and expertise.

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Monday Distinction #16

Really getting the distinction between marketing and sales is critical to your ability to position your products and/or services effectively.

A Marketing program includes all of the customer service activities of your organization.   Effective marketing is a 360 degree process that involves the integration of promotional efforts (e.g., JV partnerships), advertising, brand management, pricing, relationship building and product development, along with any other element necessary to get your product and/or service to your clients.  Good marketing programs include the sales process as a critical component of the overall program.

A Sales program, while important, is limited because it is really only focused on the exchange of your goods and/or services with the client - while only considering the  importance and impact of developing and maintaining business relationships.

Today’s Upward Action Tip for Success

Regardless of your company’s size, take time to design and implement a strong, all-inclusive marketing program and position your organization for tremendous success.

At UpwardAction Coaching we are experts at helping business design and implement effective and efficient programs.   Let us know how we can help!

Until next time … Take GREAT Care!

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