I receive lots of inquiries from start-up practices interested in assistance with everything from human resources to marketing.

Understandably, although their list of requirements seems to be just about endless, they are just as concerned about budget.

As a result, at my Toronto marketing firm, business coaching has become a best selling service among start-up practices. It is a creative way for me to be able to provide input on multiple initiatives while also helping my client to keep their costs contained. Dispensing advice about how to manage a business or marketing program is simply more cost effective than actually implementing it for them would be.

Here is an interesting case study on how business coaching has helped to maximize opportunity for a start-up law practice, from Ann Macaulay at the Canadian Bar Association:

… to help her transition from working in a law firm to working for herself. Fong wanted a coach to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Wolf helped her and her law partner prioritize decisions and make choices. “We had to decide whether to share office space or rent an office. She helped us set out our future goals and select to rent our own office space. This has allowed us to grow without space concerns,” she says.
Once key staff was hired, Wolf facilitated a retreat to help the new firm create cohesion. “We have great staff and it helps to understand what matters to them in their work,” she says. “Now she is helping us develop our website and conduct future growth planning.”
Fong says that she prefers to focus on practising law. “Many of us are not natural administrators or business operators and many of us don’t want to be. A coach can help fill those gaps with their expertise.”

If cost is a concern but nonetheless you would like to receive expert advice on how to plan the business and marketing aspects of your start-up practice, business coaching may be right for you.

I have coached start-up practices on copywriting, marketing plans, business plans, direct mail, recruiting and retention strategies, business presentations, websites, organizational change and so much more. These business coaching sessions provide a start-up practice with an option to maximize opportunity while on a tight budget, a factor that may be the difference between getting the assistance or not for many start-up practices.

Photo credit (top): poopball90