Business Management Consultant, Management Consultant, Business Consultant versus Business Coach -
Is the difference important?
Definitions:
Business Management Consultant, Management Consulting, or Business Consultant, is the practice of providing consulting services to organizations to improve their performance or in any way to assist in achieving organizational objectives.
A Consultant is a professional who provides advice in their area of specialization.
Business Coaching is a collaborative relationship between a business owner or CEO and a professional coach, aimed at strategically developing a successful business.
A Coach helps by asking the right questions and pushing their clients in the right direction, which empowers them to find the answers they are looking for and become better equipped at dealing with similar situations in the future.
The above definitions helps us understand the difference between a Consultant and Coach:
- A Business Consultant or Management Consultant tells you what to do, based on their specialty and assessments of your business,
- A Business Coach helps you become a better manager & leader, and make your own decisions, based on close collaboration
When I started my Coaching practice, I decided on Transformix Consulting, not fully knowing where this venture would bring me. In hindsight, it was an unfortunate choice: I am NOT, and do not consider myself a Consultant.
As a Coach, I have close working relationships with my clients that can last for several years. I know their spouses & kids, I attend their Christmas parties, I see them grow as a Business Owner, Manager, Leader, I see them change, grow and improve their business and I see them promote their staff into Management Positions.
It’s such a rewarding job and I love what I’m doing!
Success Story
Owner was stuck with a non-performing business partner and working 7 days a week. Company was loaded in debt.
Over the course of 2 1/2 years, the owner separated from the business partner, built a management team with a clear organizational structure and associated Accountabilities, implemented well-described work processes and instilled Project Management skills within his team. The company is now an absolute cash-cow, all business debt is paid off.
Recently, the owner went on vacation, came back, checked in with his team and found no problems: the business now runs by itself.
KLM Construction Company