Small Business Resource: Consulting vs. Coaching: What's the Difference?

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September 16, 2007

Consulting vs. Coaching: What's the Difference?

As you look at your ideas for starting a small business, you may want to consider the prospects of consulting and coaching. Each of these businesses involve the use of a skilled, trained professional to assist a client in achieving goals, but there are critical differences between these businesses that you'll want to consider carefully before you choose.

Coaching involves a client who wants to grow either personally or professionally and a coach, a trained facilitator, who will guide the client. Generally a coach works one-on-one with a client but there are times when a group of people will work together toward a common goal.

Consulting involves services that are provided for a specific topic, generally on organizational topics. A consultant will provide an analysis and some recommendations for the improvement of a certain process such as software selection or workflow design. A consultant will work with either one individual within an organization or with a group of people within an organization.

A consultant will provide a solution for the client, such as exactly which road to take to get somewhere. The coach will ask the right questions so that the client can arrive at the destination via the road that is personally best for them. Once the destination, or goal, is reached the consultant leaves the picture while the coach remains on the scene to continue to encourage the client to fully reach their goals and dreams.

And here are some additional differences between a consulting and a coaching business:

>> Consulting focuses on problem solving, strategies, action plans, and accomplishing very specific goals. Coaching focuses on learning through action while using the process of self-discovery to fulfill certain goals and dreams.

>> The consultant is the expert and brings the knowledge and expertise to the situation that makes the difference in the client's failure or success. The coach guides the client in a journey of self-discovery through the use of the right questions.

>> Consultants solve the client's present day problems by providing teaching to develop knowledge and expertise. Coaches focus on the client's biggest dreams and goals, helping the client make them come true.

>> Consultants sometimes ask the client the question "why". Coaches are more likely to ask the client "why not."

>> Consulting generally focuses on the specific question or problem at hand. Coaching focuses on the client's entire life.

>> Consultants may take care of specific work for the client or provide a part of the solution. Coaches do none of the work, instead letting the client focus and take on all the action.

>> Consulting is usually businesslike and professional. Coaching is creative and often has a spirit of adventure.

People with some personality types may do well with a consulting business. Others with different personality traits will be more comfortable with a coaching assignment. As you consider various small businesses you could start, you'll want to do a little soul-searching to make sure you make a choice that you can be most effective with. And in either profession, you'll want to continue to review other resources about the profession you choose as well as the topic of starting a small business.

Posted by David at September 16, 2007 4:07 AM