Mark Butler, Kbsa board member and owner of Butler Interiors looks at how a business coach could add value to a KBB retail business

When the Kbsa included a business coach as a speaker at its KBB Industry conference in 2022, only 25% of the audience had any experience of working with one.

I was one of the 75%. But having worked with a business coach over the last 18 months, I believe they can add value to a business.

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Like many KBB retailers I had been running the business for 22 years, winning clients locally via recommendations and focusing on outstanding customer service.

It was a leap of faith to begin business coaching, but my experience has been very positive.

I have been able to see a return on my investment with more sales, and it has helped me grow and develop as a business owner.

Find the coach

Working with a coach you feel comfortable with and has gained your trust and respect is vital.

Coaching isn’t just about hard work and hitting targets, it’s about building a relationship to help you develop your business.

When your values align, it can even lead to friendship.

You can expect your coach to start by asking a lot of questions, just as a designer does when planning a kitchen for a new customer.

These will form the basis of the plan as it will tell your coach what you want to achieve, what’s most important and what your motivations are.

It can be easy to get stuck in a rut in your business; a business coach will work with you to develop a clear plan to take your business forward.

We had specific actions, with regular meetings, to build in accountability.

My coach has opened my eyes to new possibilities and helped me achieve goals for the business, faster than I would have done without him.

If you are considering working with a coach, then asking for a recommendation is a good place to start.

Tapping into associations such as the Kbsa and business networks should yield results or reach out to me on LinkedIn.

’m happy to share my experiences as when independent retailers help each other to be successful, everyone benefits.