Source - Human Resources - June 1996/Page 39
Contributor: Coach Kensel J. Tracy
Coaches improve executive performance
Business councellors work with
high and low-functioning executives
by Ina McCarthy -
Ottawa Business Journal
BUSINESS COACHING has made its way to Ottawa, but whether or not it catches on here depends on how much money, and faith executives have.
Coaches are counsellors who discuss problems with clients during weekly sessions, in person, by phone or by Email. "Executive coaching is a consulting relationship between a psychologist or other allied professional and an individual executive to improve the executive's work-related performance," says George Witt, a licensed clinical psychologist in Connecticut who writes a column on coaching for Self-Help & Psychology magazine.
Coaching comes in two forms, he says:
- enhancement, in which a high-functioning executive participates voluntarily to improve performance, and
- remediation, in which an executive whose behavior is problematic is asked by a superior to participate.
Fees for the service range from $125 to $150 an hour, or $200 to $300 per month for four, 30-minute sessions Corporations can put coaches on monthly retainers of $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the number of people in the program and the strategic change required.
Buyers should exercise caution when choosing a coach. Although training is available, coaches aren't licensed, and certification isn't yet required. Anyone can legitimately call themselves a coach.
Licensed or not, coaching has worked for at least one local entrepreneur. When John Haime wanted to start his own business last fall, he turned to a coach for help.
Haime owns Corporate Golf Links which offers golf-related services to corporate markets. He had a clear idea, but wasn't sure how to get it off the ground. Kensel Tracy helped him shape the idea told him who to talk to and how to get word out that he was open for business
Tracy, who has 17 years of business and marketing expelience, recently opened up shop as a part-time coach in Ottawa. He feels the time is ripe to help people who may be downsized from the federal government, or anyone wanting to start their own business. There are more than 1,000 full-time coaches in the U.S.; experts believe that number will at least double by the end of this year.
Tracy, senior partner and owner of Creative Counsel and Business Coaching, says, "You don't buy a coaching service, you hire a coach and build a relationship."
He says that one source of demand for coaches is the increasing number of entrepreneurs and infopreneurs who want to be successful. "The time and the environment for coaching in the National Capital Region is virtually untapped," he says.. With government and industry downsizing, much of the workforce is in transition. "Plus, with the number of small business start-ups I began to feel that coaching really does make sense." Tracy joined the International Coaching Federation and will give seminars on coaching.
Training is available from the Coxl University, founded by Thomas Leonard, over the Internet, and through newsletters or teleconferences (some of which are priced at $3,000).
Tracy has five clients for whom he's doing pro bono work in order to spread the word. However, until it catches on, he'll continue his partnership with the Toronto-based marketing firm the Carlton Group.-
