How can you effectively communicate with clients about starting their own business?

Had this conversation just today with a client - it's important to understand what business you are building. Are you trying to change an industry, invent a new market segment, or just do what you love to do while enjoying time and financial freedom? Those three different answers infer three completely different approaches to building a business. Having a line of sight to an entrepreneurs' end game goes a long way when it comes to asking the right questions, and everything else that follows as coaches support their clients toward their goals.

FIRST... be certain they are open to your engagement on the subject! I've found that having reached the 10-year mark, now 12.5yrs, helps to validate my opinions. Second, as suggested in the left margin, have a clear understanding of the client's goals with launching a business. I think a big factor in early launch failures is when entrepreneurs forget to 'test the markets' for the NEED for what they'd like to offer. It's easy to think you have the best idea since 'sliced bread', but if the market is weak for that idea... Also, don't be afraid to relay some of your failures. We should all be consistently learning from our mistakes. AND... we should welcome mistakes as valued lessons!

Defining the goals & the vision is part 1 of my signature system. When goals and plans & design of the business (what it looks like, sounds like, feels like) is in place, It’s then that the resources can be confidently selected in order to achieve that vision Not only do the business goals need to be defined but also the personal goals. It’s my experience that both business and personal goals need to align towards the same vision in the long-term. The client then can see the roadmap of what they’re wanting to achieve both on a business level and a personal level. It helps them to stay aligned to the vision. Mindset is another area to tackle in conjunction with vision to move any fears & other challenges out of the way & stay motivated.

Embark on a journey of understanding. What fuels their passion? What are their aspirations, challenges, and measures of success? By unraveling these layers, you pave the way for a business aligned with personal and professional values.

?? Empowering Entrepreneurship: Nurturing Client Dreams! ???? Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey is a thrilling venture. As a guide, here's how to effectively communicate with clients about starting their own business: ?? Inspire with Vision ?? Personalized Roadmap ?? Open Dialogue ?? Data-Driven Realism ?? Skill Empowerment ?? Success Stories ?? Milestone Celebration ?? Networking Nudges ?? Market Research Primer ?? Encourage Agility Let's embark on this journey together, turning entrepreneurial dreams into thriving realities! ???? #EntrepreneurialSpirit #ClientEmpowerment #BusinessStartups

Starting a business is like having a child. If you wait until you're ready - you'll never be ready. On the other hand, some people just don't want to be parents (to a child or a business). Even savvy entrepreneurs have gaps. You can exit one business and feel like a winner, only to miss a step or simply not know what you don't know about your next venture. Learning, often through failure, is part of the game. It can't be avoided. For this reason, it's important to assess readiness from a more personal vantage point. Readiness can often be judged by how much mental space a would-be entrepreneur's idea takes up. It's time to deploy when you can't stop thinking about it, even if you try.

Whahaha... this one is so funny! ?? After 12+ years of having my own business, I'm still not ready! And I hope I will never be! Ready is a comfort-zone terminology. If you feel ready... it means you are too comfortable and you are not growing. Same for the client. Help them with looking forward to not being ready, to feeling that excitement of doing it anyway. That's how you truly help them step into their power!!

"Launching a business isn't a leap of faith; it's a calculated step. Assessing your client's readiness goes beyond asking if they're ready. It's about scrutinizing their arsenal - skills, knowledge, resources. Do they understand their market? Is their business model a sturdy bridge or a shaky plank? This stage is about identifying gaps and fortifying them, transforming weaknesses into strategic advantages."

Feedback and support is very important for any co-creation project. Use the SWAT analysis, SMART Goals for good decision making

A great coach knows when and how to shift their approach. Coach any client long enough, and you will switch hats between pure coach (asking questions to lead clients to their own discoveries), cheerleader, challenger, and devil's advocate ("let's imagine that...) Challenging without support can overwhelm Support without challenge can be fake Knowing when to challenge, when to support, when to ask great questions, and when to just listen can elevate any coach's performance. More importantly - it shifts the focus from you the coach to your client - and success should always be defined by their wins.

La méthode que j'utilise marche pour tous les projets. A pour analyser B pour batir C pour convaincre D pour développer E étudier le travail fait

Craft a blend of expertise and autonomy, infusing your advice with real-world examples. Utilize tools like SWOT analysis and share personal stories where constructive feedback paved the way for breakthroughs. Ensure your clients feel both guided and empowered in their decision-making.

"Feedback is your tool for sculpting a raw idea into a masterpiece. It's not just about advice; it's about partnership. Employ tools like SWOT analysis and SMART goals to structure their journey. Use your coaching prowess to help them navigate through challenges, turning every obstacle into a stepping stone. Remember, your role is to guide, not dictate - empower them to find their unique solutions."

In my experience, it's refreshing to see budding entrepreneurs embrace the mindset that not every hurdle is a setback; instead, it's a chance to learn and evolve. It's like a game—sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. So, when discussing the challenges of entrepreneurship with clients, I make it a point to emphasise the invaluable lessons hidden in every obstacle. I often share the analogy of a rollercoaster—there are exhilarating highs and inevitable lows, but it's the twists and turns that make the ride memorable. And let's not forget inspiration—the fuel that propels dreams into reality. It's a reminder that challenges are a universal part of the entrepreneurial journey and that greatness often arises from the ashes of setbacks.

Too many are too afraid to get going. One of the biggest challenges is that many companies and people think too much. Of course there needs to be a product and a market, but we need to support them and make them feel safe enough to try their ideas out.

"Your clients look to you not just for guidance, but for inspiration. Challenge them to stretch their limits, to think beyond the conventional. Foster an environment where brainstorming and scenario planning aren’t just exercises, but pathways to innovation. Your role is to ignite their potential, to transform the 'what ifs' into tangible strategies. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, to build unshakable confidence."

Treat your clients' time and money like your own. If you aren't providing, and proving ROI, you shouldn't take their time or money. If ROI exceeds the time and money invested, than a great coach is worth their weight in gold and theoretically there's no ceiling to what you can charge. Waste their time or money, and you shouldn't even be coaching for free.

Intensify the empowerment tone. Share how you cultivated a supportive network, nurtured a positive mindset, and embraced a growth mindset. Recommend resources and coaching strategies with personal anecdotes that highlight their role in fostering independence and leadership.

Monitoring progress is an essential step to recognising progress, including how the business owner is faring at an emotional level. * Are they sleeping? * Are they taking time out from their business endeavours to work on their business rather than in their business? * Do they have time to nurture their health, well-being and relationships? The answer to the questions listed above is pivotal because, in business, the personal self-care of the owner is often overlooked. Yet, to get the business off the ground and sustain long-term success, well-being is crucial. It is an area that requires and deserves to be continually monitored as an essential element to business success and longevity.

Mettre en place un rétro planning ou un outil de centralisation des étapes.. Analyser chaque étapes. Instaurer des réunions meme en.visio pour analyser les étapes et pouvoir le conseiller tt au long de chaque étape.

"Tracking progress is not a mere formality; it's a critical aspect of the journey. Implement tools that enable your clients to visually map their progress. Dashboards, metrics, and feedback loops are vital in this phase. This is where theory meets reality, and plans are fine-tuned. Use your expertise to help them learn from each phase, adapting strategies as they evolve."

Effectively communicating with clients who are new to the journey of building a business includes some of the following: - Begin by understanding their vision for their business. Ask questions to clarify their goals, motivations, and what success looks like to them. - Be honest about the challenges of starting and running a business. Help them prepare for potential and inevitable obstacles. - Inspire a growth mindset by encouraging them to see challenges as opportunities and the benefits of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. - Teach clients self-reflection techniques empowering them to think critically, take more responsibility for their decisions, and foster independent confidence.

"Empowerment is the final piece of this puzzle. Your aim is to transition your clients from being guided to leading their venture with confidence. Instill in them a growth mindset, and encourage the building of a supportive network. Introduce them to resources that foster continuous learning. Your goal is to equip them with the tools for self-coaching and independent decision-making, ensuring sustainable success."

Look at the Product/Solution and its potential in the market from the perspective of revenue. Many companies focus on technology but forget how to make money out of the product/solution. Evaluate different business models, compare it with the ones in the market, and tailor the product solution to fit the revenue goal.

When is it time to walk away? Knowing your exit strategy is something to consider from the start. Your business is potentially your legacy; who do you trust to keep things going in the future?

Once their business is humming along, we talk about the where to from here. I ask questions such as: - Do you still feel passionate about the work? If not, what’s missing? - Are you happy and fulfilled? If not, why and how? - Are other areas of your life fulfilling? If not, how do you want it to look and feel? - What stones are left unturned? - What legacy do you want to leave? - Are you leveraging your time and energy to maximize outcomes you desire? - Do you want to grow your business? If so, let’s look at what, how, when you can do that and who else needs to be involved (e.g., investors, board members, staff, additional products and services). There are other questions we explore.