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It’s a City state of mind – the more you pay the more you get, right? Wrong, says leading careers coach Lucinda Harlow of Uevolve. Here Lucinda lets WATC in on a few insider secrets with her 5-step guide to getting brilliant coaching on a budget
Be honest, we’ve all heard ourselves say it: you get what you pay for. But I’m here to tell you a big secret. If you’re really clever about how you set about finding yourself the perfect coach, you can save yourself a whole heap of cash. Ready? Okay then…
The 5-step guide to getting brilliant coaching on your budget
1. Nail what you want from coaching with a mind map
Most people come to coaching knowing they want to change, but not really grasping the ‘what’ and the ‘why’. So how do you nail this before you even start looking for a coach? A tried and tested – and free – way to do this is by creating a ‘mind map’. Grab some felt tips (who doesn’t love felt tips?) and a big piece of paper. Draw yourself in the middle and begin writing down your goals connecting off, as a spider diagram.
You’ll be amazed how quickly you get into it.
It makes you focus on what it is you really want and what is getting in the way of what you want. Voila! You’ve pinned down exactly what you want coaching for.
- Cost? £0.00
2. Draw up a shortlist of potential coaches
Okay, so now you need to draw up a list of lucky candidates who might just get to coach you. Never lose sight of the fact that this is all about you. First stop, recommendations. Ask around, has anyone you rate had a great coach? If not, don’t panic. Clever use of social media, especially LinkedIn Recommendations can really point you in the right direction. Do your research, a bit of legwork really pays off.
- Cost? £0.00
3. Interview your candidates and get quotes
Do not be afraid to interview coaches – they are working for you. Put simply, do their experience, skills and approach meet your job spec? Don’t be intimidated or bamboozled into paying for more that you want or need. Start calling up and gathering quotes and list what it is you are getting for the money. Compare it against what you want and need. That first meeting can tell you everything you need to know, if you approach it in the right way – so read my ‘dos and don’t’ tips for that crucial meeting here.
- Cost? £0.00
4. Trust your instincts
Choosing a coach really is your decision – just base that decision on all the groundwork you’ve done so far. Choose the coach you trust to open up to about your professional goals. Choose the coach who has shown the difference they can make to your career. Choose the coach who already started you thinking in a different way from that first meeting. Choose the coach who can give you what you are actually asking for – at the price you can afford.
Cost? £0.00
5. Don’t blow your budget
We’re back to our big rule – never pay more for coaching than it’s worth to you.
Some people trade on the belief that if coaching isn’t costing an arm and a leg, it’s rubbish. Hopefully you now know better than to fall for that one. You should be really confident that you know what you want and exactly how much you are willing to pay for it. You really can spend clever to get the coaching you need. Don’t be intimidated into paying over the odds.
Paying more is only sensible if you know you are getting your money’s worth. You will pay more for experience, add-ons such as NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and extras such as more access to the coach, face-to-face coaching, Skype or telephone coaching. By now you will know whether you need those elements.
Cost? Coaching can cost anything from £40 to £300 an hour. But follow these rules and you will know you’re not paying for more than you need.
Win a free coaching session
The first 15 people to answer the question….“What will earn you a fortune?” will receive one hour of telephone coaching with Lucinda Harlow.
Top tip…..
Look at Lucinda’s website www.uevolve.co.uk
Email answers to [email protected]
Lucinda Harlow specialises in career coaching. Her particular area of expertise is centred on the development of individuals to enhance or expand performance.
With a strong corporate background, Lucinda has worked at a senior level with a series of investment houses and blue chip companies in the City and West End. Having built a strong coaching practice Lucinda is in demand for one-to-one coaching and professional presentations and as an expert voice in media interviews.
Lucinda Harlow
Executive Coach
Tel: 0208 408 1008
Mob: 07958 943607
email: [email protected]
