by John Ingrisano

The Freestyle Entrepreneur

Looking for a way to accelerate your business success?   Find someone who is already in the winner’s circle and hire that person to be your coach.

I’ve been in training, marketing and sales for four decades.  However, I still bump into things I do not know.  Rather than try to bull my way through, I’ve learned that the best way to master new skills often is to recruit people who already know the lay of the land and the best ways to be successful.

I invite them to get together and ask for advice.  If possible, I ask if I can pick their brains in exchange for the price of a lunch together.  Most people are more than willing (if not downright flattered) to share ideas.

For significant career changes, consider hiring a coach … yes, paying good money to learn from someone who is a super success and can teach you a lot.   

For example, I recently took on a new client that provides specialized training in public seminar settings.  There is also a fair amount of resource promotion as part of each program.  I found that I was knocking ‘em dead in the seminar, but just not getting the hang of the resource presentations.  Everything I tried just did not work.    

So, I asked around and found another trainer who is very good at this aspect of the seminars.  Though he’s almost half my age, he knows his stuff.  (Old dogs should never be afraid to learn from young pups.)  After just one 90-minute coaching session (during which I had a handful of “aha!” moments), I made some minor adjustments in my presentation and – bang! – things began turning around the very next day.  I could have spent months trying to figure out the solution on my own. 

Recommendation:  If you are starting a new business, entering a new phase in an existing business, stuck on some persistent weak area, tackling a new market, or just tired of loping along experiencing so-so success across the board, track down someone who is already hitting home runs in that area.  Think big; find the best.

Again, do not be afraid to pay for quality coaching.  Just as you invest in new equipment to stay competitive, invest in quality knowledge and skills information.  It can be a darn good investment.

Example:  Imagine if you are currently earning $50,000 as a sales representative or financial advisor.  Not bad, but not all that great, either.  What if you hire as a coach, a heavy hitter, someone who is currently earning $150,000 in the same field?  (Remember, learn from the best.)  Now let’s say you pay $5,000 for six months of coaching and, as a result, double your business to $100,000 in sales within a year.  Do that and you have one heck of a return on investment.  It is money well spent.    

Plus, you could achieve that success in weeks or months, while trying to learn those same skills on your own, through trial and error, could take years … or forever.

So, work hard, make money, have fun … and consider finding a coach to fast-track your success.  – JRI

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