FAQ’s

What are Soft Skills?

The phrase ‘soft skills’ is often used to describe the skills which characterise relationships with other people, or which are about how you approach life and work.

Others phrases that are often used for these types of skills include: ‘people skills’, ‘interpersonal skills’, ‘social skills’ or ‘transferable skills’.

‘Hard skills’, by contrast, is a phrase usually used to describe job-specific skills. Examples of such skills include professional skills like bricklaying or accountancy, medical expertise such as diagnosis and treatment, or other skills that can be taught and whose presence is testable through exams.

Ironically, for many people, the so-called soft skills are often some of the hardest skills to develop.

What is a Corporate or Business Trainer?

A Corporate/Business Trainer is a person who has the special skills to help people improve their soft skills like effective communication, management, leadership, motivation, people skills, etc.

For any organisation to function in a system, it is important to have the above skills like communication, effective negotiation and strength of character which can keep an organisation running effectively. And thus, keeping the organisation and its members positioned, ready and skilled to reach their goals. An effective Corporate Trainer is an invaluable resource in removing immaterial obstacles that interfere with the progress of any organisation.

What is a Corporate Coach or Trainer?

Similar to sports coaching, a coach pushes an athlete to achieve optimum performance, provides support and teaches an athlete to execute a game-plan their opposition or competition does not anticipate.

The role of a Business/Corporate Coach is to coach business owners to through guidance, support, accountability and encouragement.

Business Coaching helps owners of small and medium sized businesses with their sales, marketing, management, team building and so much more.  Most importantly, exactly like a sports coach, your Business Coach will make you focus on the game.

What is a Consultant?

The range of areas of expertise covered by the term consultant is extremely wide.  However, a consultant is engaged to fulfil a brief in terms of helping to find solutions to specific issues.  A consultant works very closely with the management team, board of directors or business owner to research current information as required,  and to prepare and present findings in a meaningful way. A Consultant may be brought in to deal with one specific topic or issue or may be hired to help upgrade or update all the policies, procedures, systems or strategies within the organization.

What is a Professional Speaker?

A Professional Speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate and/or inspire an audience. In a business context, we are often employed to communicate company messages and vision to help employees to see the future in an inspirational context.

There are similarities between motivational and inspirational speeches.  One subtle difference is that inspirational speeches are often delivered as warm, encouraging messages, with an objective of enlivening or exalting emotion. In contrast, motivational speeches are presentations that are more energetic in nature, with a desired outcome of moving attendees to action.

What is the length of courses, seminars and workshops?

They vary in length from a half day to a week. Most of them are 1 – 2 days; however, we can customise the amount of time spent on specific topics and skills to fit the varying needs of our clients.

When are courses and workshops offered?

Course offering times are adjusted to whatever works best for our clients Scheduling can be adapted for multiple full-day, half-day, evening and weekend sessions.

We work with you to design customized learning and performance development solutions that can be delivered at one of our preferred locations or at a site of your choosing.

How much do courses, programs and workshops cost?

The costs vary depending on the content and length of the course as well as single vs. multiple offerings.

Why Should I invest in training or coaching?

The statistics are startling, 42% of employee time is spent engaging in or trying to solve a conflict. This results in wasted time, mistakes, stress, lower morale, hampered performance and reduced profits and service for the employer.

Can we have separate training for management and staff?

We can design training programs just for management, and we can design training programs for employees. We meet initially to discuss the scope of your issues and then custom make a plan that meets your needs.

I’m considering hiring a Soft Skills Coach.  Where do I start?

The process begins with an obligation free, fact finding mission.  This is a session, where we determine if coach/trainer and client are a good fit. The session usually takes 30-60 minutes. We can discuss an issue of your choosing during the session, or we can explore where you are and where you want to go with your business.

Who might need a Soft Skills Coach or Trainer?

People from all walks of life find soft skills coaching useful. Many of our clients feel lost, directionless, don’t know how to take their business to the next level, or feel disorganised. They may need a support network that includes accountability.

We also work with extremely successful business owners who may want to explore what’s next for them. Whether it’s getting the business ready to sell, creating a new product or service line, or just creating a life outside work.

What’s the difference between Coaching and Consulting?

A consultant is usually an expert in a specific industry, and will give you answers to all your questions, and may even implement strategies and programs for you. A Coach will ask probing questions to bring out your unique abilities, help you create a vision and plan for the future, and will stay with you while you implement changes. A Coach holds you accountable for what you say you’ll do, gives you a push to do more than you would do on your own, and helps you overcome limiting beliefs that are holding you back from success.

How long do clients typically work with a Coach or Trainer?

Many clients are finding that business coaching is the key to excellent performance, learning and enjoyment. Therefore, they choose to work with a coach on a continuing basis.

We ask clients to make a commitment to coach for a minimum of six months. Any new behaviours and marketing strategies put into practice today may take from three to six months to show results. While coaching and training can be very effective for short-term change, our clients stay with coaching an average of 12 to 18 months, some longer. The learning that takes place creates results that continue for one to three years. Business Coaching is not meant to be a “quick fix” or a short-term relationship.

Who does the work?  Client or Coach?

This is your business and the responsibility for success rests with you. We will guide you, provide resources, encourage action, and be your accountability partner.

What are the benefits of Coaching and Training?

You will avoid many of the mistakes business owners make.
You will accomplish more than you would on your own.
You will achieve your goals more quickly.
You will have a collaboration partner that doesn’t share in your profits.
You’ll learn strategies to draw business directly to you.

What results can I expect working with you?

The results are dependent on you. Some of our clients have improved performance  by focusing on:

Effortless Marketing – How to design a website that brings clients to you; copy-writing that sells, search engine optimization (SEO), Internet Marketing, and Passive Income generation.
Visualizing Success.
Managing your business and living a life based on your values.
Figuring out what you want and what you need.
Developing a vision for the future. What will the better you look like?
Developing your Unique Selling Proposition. What makes you unique?
Networking – How to become known for what you do best.
Marketing and creating a recognizable brand for your business.
Marketing – Developing a Target Client Profile and an Ideal Client Profile.
Sales – how to get more clients and close sales.
Creating a Business Marketing Plan with meaningful goals that work for you.
Organization – Organizing your day, your calendar, your office, your finances, and your life.
Setting up Roles & Responsibilities for everyone in your organization.
Learning to Delegate.
How to get paid effortlessly.
How to set up Financial Reporting so that you know how your business is doing.
How to have a Life outside of Work.

Who are your ideal clients?

We especially enjoy working with anyone who…

Is ready to be in the top 10% of their industry.
Is ready for action.
Is committed to making profound changes in their business.
Has a passion for their business.
Takes responsibility for their success.
Is not risk adverse and recognize that successful businesses/people are willing to take risks.
Has a “Never Give Up” attitude.
Is prepared for each coaching or training session.
Values our time and support.

Do you ever let a client go?

There have been a few limited situations where we have had to discontinue the coaching/training relationship. We always discuss expectations with the client and allow time to make changes and remedy the problems.

Some of the reasons we have stopped coaching a client include:

Repeatedly not making scheduled time or missing the session without prior notice.
Repeatedly not being prepared for the appointment.
A pattern of rescheduling appointments without 24-hours notice.
A lack of respect for our time.
Not taking responsibility for their actions.
Lack of progress, repeatedly not doing homework.
Repeated negative attitude or blaming others.
A need for counselling rather than coaching.