The Benefits of Business Coaching
In today's ever-changing business environment, coaching is probably the most effective method available to Managers & staff to develop skills and thereby increase performance. This article defines coaching, outlines the benefits and discusses some of the approaches.

Definition
Some definitions are detailed below:

'A form of training where the Supervisor/Manager models or demonstrates a behaviour or task and uses feedback to guide the employee while he/she practices the behaviour or task'

'Providing guidance, feedback, and direction to ensure successful performance'

'A coach is a person who teaches and directs another person via encouragement and advice'

'Coaching can provide empowerment and support in a wide variety of ways. Whether we are seeking a change, or simply want to proceed in our lives with more focus and vigor, a good coach can make all the difference'

The Benefits
Coaching is a powerful skill, which is now proving highly effective within many organisations. Every significant study of effective Managers concludes that those Managers who get the most out of their staff, spend a high proportion of their time and energy coaching others.

Managers who coach effectively are able to manage their time more effectively due to delegation, increase team morale and motivate the performance of their staff.
Many organisations now support a coaching culture, however it is only the most dedicated of Managers who implement this as part of their management style.

So what does a Coaching Culture look like?
People welcome constructive and positive feedback & seek out development opportunities

Coaching is seen as the joint responsibility of Managers and their direct reports

Effective coaching models are embraced

Coaching skills are developed in all levels of staff

Coaching is seen as an opportunity (rather than negatively)

The organisation has a continuos learning approach to all that it does

Coaching is seen as adding value rather than a cost

The Benefits of Business Coaching

Typical Coaching Structure
Contract   -   Coach   -   Follow up

Coaching Model
Objectives - What is the Individual attempting to achieve?
Context - Understand the Reasons

Contract
Take Stock of the Present Situation
Clarify the Gap/Re-clarify Objectives
Ideas/Options Generations

Coach
Challenge/Support
Action plan - Immediate and longer term

Follow up
Review Actions & Progress