Are you an ambitious West Yorkshire SME who has plans for growth, but just don’t know where to start?
Then the Good Growth Programme could be just what you need to realise your business growth ambitions.
Running a small business is a rollercoaster. The exhilarating highs of growth and innovation are often followed by nerve-wracking dips of uncertainty and doubt. In an ever-changing landscape a business coach can be your trusty sherpa, guiding you through the treacherous terrain to help you reach your peak.
Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice and led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Good Growth is the programme with a difference, as in we ensure your business is matched to an expert coach who suits the precise needs of your business.
A business coach can really empower your business, but what do they do?
Unpacking the coach’s toolkit
A business coach isn’t a magic wand or a corner-cutting, goal smashing AI shortcut. Instead, they’re a skilled professional who brings a unique blend of expertise and support to the table; many of the coaches within the Good Growth Programme have firsthand experience of successfully running their own businesses.
Here’s how they work their magic:
- Goal setting and strategy:
- Visionary partner:A coach helps you define your long-term vision for your business. What do you want to achieve? Who do you want to serve? They act as a sounding board, challenging your assumptions and guide you towards SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
- Strategise for success:Once the vision is clear, the coach collaborates with you to develop actionable strategies. This might involve market analysis, competitor research, financial projections, or marketing and sales plans, whatever best suits the needs of your business. They’ll help you break down your goals into smaller, achievable milestones, ensuring you stay focused and motivated.
- Operational optimisation:
- Process doctor:Systems and processes feature heavily as a major part of the foundation of a successful business – identifying bottlenecks and implementation of efficient workflows. This could involve anything from automating tasks to improving communication between departments.
- Financial fitness:A coach doesn’t need to be an accountant or financial wizard, but they can help you understand your finances better. They’ll teach you key financial metrics, help you track expenses and revenue, and guide you towards making informed financial decisions.
- Leadership and personal growth:
- Become your team’s true north:Great leaders create great businesses. A coach can help you hone your leadership skills, learn to delegate effectively, and build strong relationships with your team. They’ll provide feedback on your communication style, help you navigate conflict, and empower you to inspire your team to achieve more.
- Channel your inner critic:Running a business can be tough on your mental well-being. A coach can be a supportive confidant, helping you manage stress, overcome self-doubt, and develop resilience. They’ll provide tools and techniques for overcoming negative thinking patterns and maintaining a positive outlook.
The coach-client: A bespoke, tailored journey
Once your Good Growth Client Manager has taken you through the GROWTHmapper® assessment and discussed the results with you, a coach will be agreed upon who best fits your business’s growth challenges. As every small business is unique, your coaching experience should be tailored to your specific requirements.
A glimpse into coach and client collaboration:
- Initial assessment:Using your GROWTHmapper® report as a starting point for areas to focus on, combined with your own insights, your coach will get to know your business, your goals, and your challenges in more detail. This might involve interviews, questionnaires, and even financial analysis.
- Collaborative goal setting:Together, you’ll define your desired outcomes and create a roadmap to achieve them.
- Regular check-ins and accountability:Through regular meetings or phone calls, the coach will track your progress, offer guidance, and hold you accountable for your goals.
- Learning by doing:Expect practical exercises, action plans, and real-world implementation of the strategies you develop.
- Flexibility and adaptability:The coach will adjust their approach based on your progress and changing needs.
Investing in your growth: The ROI of coaching
When you join the WYCA Good Growth Programme, the investment from your business is just £500 in terms of cold hard cash, however, there is also an investment of time and effort to ‘do the work’ which is needed. In the same way that a PT can’t do the push-ups for you at the gym, your business coach can’t ‘do’ the work for you to grow your business.
By investing your time, your effort and committing to the programme the benefits you’ll experience can be increased revenue, improved operational efficiency, happier employees, and ultimately, a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment for the business owner.
If you’re ready to head for the summit, applying is so simple. Just one short form is all it takes, and we’ll even help you to fill it in.
Get in touch today to find out how the West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme can help you grow your business – www.wygoodgrowth.co.uk.
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