Business coaching when advice may be conflicted
Understand who is advising you, what they are responsible for, and how they are paid.
Other types of business help
Who is advising you?
A business coach can help an owner examine options, challenge assumptions, and follow through on a decision. The engagement should state the work and its limits.
Ask who is paying each advisor, what they are responsible for, and whether their fee or ownership changes with the outcome. Do not assume any paid role is automatically neutral.
Incentives and responsibilities
Advice can be useful while reflecting the advisor’s experience or commercial interests. Ask what evidence supports it and what alternatives were considered.
For an acquisition, ownership change, or other major commitment, distinguish business coaching from legal, tax, accounting, and investment advice. Use appropriately qualified specialists for those questions.
Compare types of help
Choose by the work you need: an ongoing leadership role, a defined project, skills training, or help with your own business decisions.
A coach can work alongside other specialists. Coaching is not a required purchase before you engage them.
Compare types of help
Six honest comparisons. Each one is a different version of the wrong hire.
Explore the guides
Work with Stan
Work with Stan
Start with Work with me for monthly 1:1 business work, or request scope when the issue involves board, ownership, partner, leadership, or larger collaboration.