Business Coach or Consultant…Which One Suits Your Needs?

Being an entrepreneur often means doing everything on your own and learning by trial and error rather than from guidance. But it doesn’t need to be that way. Many entrepreneurs have found great success in utilizing the help of a Wedding Business Coach or a Wedding Business Consultant.

Not sure what the difference is between a Wedding Business Coach and a Wedding Business Consultant? You are not alone. A lot of independent business owners don’t know the difference between what a business coach can do for them, as opposed to what a business consultant is prepared to do for them.

Unfortunately, because of this, it results in these same struggling wedding business owners not knowing exactly what type of specialist is best suited to deliver the kind of solution they need.

Why Work With a Business Coach or Business Consultant?

One of the more obvious benefits of securing the right kind of expert to help you and your business, is the likelihood of you generating a maximum, quantifiable return on your commitment and investment.

The right amount, and kind of support and guidance you ultimately receive will save you a great deal of time and money as it relates to creating and managing a profitable business.

It doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to having a professional who has ‘been there, done that’ resulting in him or her actually having built a successful wedding business providing you with the support and expertise you need, when you need it. (A word of caution though, be very thorough when vetting these people to make sure that they are indeed experts. Otherwise, they could just be people who couldn’t make their own wedding business profitable and turned to coaching or consulting instead.)

There is a significant difference between the role a business coach plays, as opposed to that of a business consultant. Let’s discuss…

So, What Exactly Does a Wedding Business Coach Do?

The main role of a business coach is to work closely with you, and to help you develop the skills you already possess. In other words, they refine and position you, so you are able to maximize the abilities and skills you already are equipped with.

From a strategic standpoint, they will also help you reach your full potential by brainstorming with you and inspiring you in your quest to reach all of your business objectives.

That’s why most business coaches address mindset issues that limit results. Feelings and attitudes such as fear and self-sabotage are oftentimes major stumbling blocks that need to be corrected.

They will then follow up with you to make sure you stay on track and are progressing in a positive way in attaining your goals.

Looking at the big picture, a business coach is there to help you create a “plan of action” for your business and to support you step-by-step while you execute it.

On the Other Hand, Here’s What a Wedding Business Consultant Does

A business consultant on the other hand is the expert who teaches you the business skills you don’t have knowledge of.

They will sit down and analyze your business after which they will then create an action plan you can follow and carry out.

As experts in business planning and strategy, they will tap into their extensive base of knowledge and see in which direction your business is heading as well as establish the scalability of your operation.

Next, they will work closely with you regarding acquiring new customers and how to keep them by building loyalty. And much like a business coach, they’ll work in conjunction with you in regards to the packaging of your products, services, pricing, as well as your sales and marketing programs.

Which One Do You Genuinely Need?

If you are trying to decide what services, you might need at this moment, the definition below will help you:

“A coach is like a partner, while a consultant is more like an advisor.”

So, when pondering whether you need a coach or consultant, ask yourself three questions:

1. Optimistically, what and how much do I know about running a business?
2. What is the level of support I require to accomplish the goals I have set for myself?
3. What are the results I want to achieve? (make a list)

After you have answered these questions, start scheduling consultations and be very upfront as to the level of support you’re seeking.

When it’s all said and done, knowing the difference between a business coach and consultant, and doing your research, can save you a lot of time and disappointment.