Whether you are starting a new chiropractic office or looking to take your existing practice to the next level, you may have considered partnering with a coach or consultant to assist you. Both coaching and consulting services are intended to provide business leaders with strategic guidance toward accomplishing their goals, but are they the same?
Oftentimes, the words “coach” and “consultant” are used interchangeably. However, there are some distinct differences regarding the services provided as well as the general philosophy behind these two types of advising.
To help you decide whether a coach or consultant is right for your chiropractic practice, we are going to compare coaching vs consulting today. First, let’s begin with coaching.
What is Business Coaching?
Business coaching is a collaborative process between the coach and client that focuses on the present with an eye toward the future. The coaching relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. Coaches work with their clients to help them identify areas of opportunity, set goals, and create action plans to achieve those goals.
A business coach will:
- Help you develop a clear vision for your practice
- Identify your unique strengths and how to leverage them
- Set goals and create an action plan to achieve those goals
- Hold you accountable to taking action steps and achieving results
- Provide support and guidance as you navigate challenges and roadblocks
Coaching starts from your own personal goals as a business owner and provides guidance and insights toward helping you achieve them. Instead of telling you what you “should” or “should not” do, the goals that you create for yourself are what they help you work toward achieving.
As a chiropractor, your practice extends beyond business hours. It represents your entire livelihood and years of hard work to achieve the success you already have. If you have identified where you want your practice to take you next in life, or need help realizing that vision, a coach is a perfect resource to help you start moving the needle in that direction.
How is Business Consulting Different from Coaching?
Now that we have a clear understanding of business coaching, let’s compare it to business consulting.
Business consulting is a professional service provided by individuals who use their expertise to provide objective advice and recommendations to businesses. The focus of consulting is often on solving specific problems or improving specific areas within the company based on the consultant’s professional opinions.
Rather than starting from your own personal goals, a consultant applies their knowledge of best practices relative to your industry. For example, if you are struggling with marketing your practice, a consultant may provide you with a list of marketing strategies that have worked well for other businesses in your industry.
A business consultant will:
- Assess your current situation and identify areas of opportunity
- Provide insights and recommendations based on their professional expertise
- Help you implement specific changes within your business
- Monitor your business’s progress and provide feedback along the way
If you are looking for someone to provide objective advice and help you implement specific changes within your business, then a consultant may be the right fit for you. However, a consultant will often focus on what they believe are the best solutions for your business, rather than what you as the practice owner want to achieve.
While there are many friendly and personable consultants in the marketplace, the relationship between a consultant and their clients is often more transactional. Conversely, a coach’s services emphasize a strong, trusting relationship with their clients as a foundational component of their services.
Should You Hire a Coach or a Consultant?
Deciding whether to hire a coach or consultant often depends on how you operate your practice and the level of personal involvement you wish to have in its growth. If you are someone that plans to remain actively involved in your business and have a clear vision for its mission in your local market, a coach might prove the right solution.
If you are someone that wants to delegate as much responsibility to other parties as possible and gradually pull away from the operational aspects of the business, you may prefer the convenience that a consultant can provide. Rather than having a hand in these aspects of the practice, you can trust them to a consultant who will use industry best practices to create a solution for a problem or pain point you are experiencing with your office.
Get Chiropractic Coaching for Your Business Today
At Aligned Mentoring for Chiropractors, we are a team of chiropractic coaches dedicated to helping you achieve the practice that you have always dreamed of operating. We begin by helping you realize your ideal vision for your office and then providing strategic guidance to help you on your journey to making it a reality.
To learn more about how our team can assist you, contact us today to learn more.
