Do you need a Business Mentor, Coach, or Consultant?  There are differences between what you should expect from a business mentor, coach, or consultant.  If you don’t know what you need, then this post will help you determine what to seek out in order to help you with your business.

There are differences between what you should expect from a business mentor, coach, or consultant. Click To Tweet

The terms mentoring and coaching are often used interchangeably.  This is very misleading because while there are similarities in the support they provide, they are very different disciplines in practice. Both support the development of an individual, but in different ways.  There are many self-professed professionals in the field that are not using the proper title, so it’s up to you to clarify your expectations and make sure they can meet them.

The terms mentoring and coaching are often used interchangeably. This is very misleading because while there are similarities in the support they provide, they are very different disciplines in practice. Click To Tweet

Business Coach

A business coach is typically contracted for a specific amount of time.  The engagement and professional relationship is not ongoing and has a finite duration during which the coach’s main objective is to help you strengthen or eliminate specific behaviors.  The behaviors that add value to your business and promote growth will be highlighted, strengthened, and expanded upon.  Your coach should help you strengthen behaviors that support stronger performance based upon a specific set of activities.  The behaviors that are detracting from your business will be highlighted with a discussion on specific steps for elimination.  Just as in sports, your coach assists with specific skill and ability development but in this regard, everything is related to the success of your business.  Throughout the duration of the professional engagement, your coach should monitor your progress and coach you through adjustments, as necessary.

Business Mentor

A business mentor has a more long-term relationship with you.  They focus on supporting your growth and development as an entrepreneur.  Ideally, they have more experience than you in entrepreneurship and will provide encouragement and support by sharing wisdom and lessons learned from their own experiences that could be useful to you.  A business mentor does not provide direction on specific actions or behavior changes you need to start or grow your business.  A business mentor helps you envision your goals and destination but doesn’t provide you with the detailed map to get you there.  They have a broad understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish but does not tell you specifically how to do things.  The business mentor may, but is not required to, make introductions to resources that may be helpful to you in your business.  The impact of having a business mentor may not be apparent immediately, but you will look back and see how that relationship, wisdom, and guidance helped you reach your goals.

A business mentor helps you envision your goals and destination but doesn't provide you with the detailed map to get you there. They have a broad understanding of what you're trying to accomplish but does not tell you… Click To Tweet

Business Consultant

A business consultant is an expert professional that provides a detailed map to start and grow your business.  They provide the “how-to” advice and/or help you execute on the specific advice given.  They provide clarity on goals and focus on results.  A business consultant assists you with strategy, planning, and problem-solving all while helping you develop business skills and knowledge during the engagement.  They will brainstorm with you to come up with ideas and solutions to help your business and produce practical results.  The working relationship between you and the business consultant will enhance your strategic thinking and creativity around running and growing your business.  There’s a significant impact to your business when you hire a business consultant because you’ll have access to deeper levels of expertise than you could afford to have on staff as full-time employees.  The best part is that, for a fee, you can access them only when you need them and not incur the ongoing expense of having an expert in-house.  

A business consultant assists you with strategy, planning, and problem-solving all while helping you develop business skills and knowledge during the engagement. Click To Tweet

What TPM Focus Provides

The full-service package we provide at TPM Focus is a blend—Business Consultant-Mentor.  We provide the expertise and step-by-step execution details as well as support our clients by providing wisdom and lessons learned from our years of experience across a multitude of industries.  In addition, if a client needs recommendations or introductions to resources in our network that can help them, we gladly do so.  We have a HUGE network of connections that are grateful to be connected with our clients.

There's a significant impact to your business when you hire a business consultant because you'll have access to deeper levels of expertise than you could afford to have on staff as full-time employees. Click To Tweet

We want to see all our clients succeed and reach their goals so we don’t have a “one and done” mentality when we enter an engagement.  

The most successful people all agree that greatness can’t be accomplished in solitude and the value of a great mentor is priceless. Click To Tweet

Now that we’ve clarified the differences in each business professional, do you know which type you need for your business goals?

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