Your opinions please

[lgylsen]

Hi all

I am writing an article for my local paper regarding goals, success and if New Year resolutions really work.

Can I have some feedback on your view to this? Do you set goals once a year or continuously throughout?

Have you consulted a Personal or Business/Executive Coach in the past? and do you thnk they are worth their weight in gold?

I am writing a balanced piece about my profession, so good and bad points welcome please!

Many thanks

[uksbc]

wish i could help more... writing is not my forte

i would be interested to see a copy when its done though

it would make a good help guide for inclusion on our site

:D

[Jayne]

Hi,

I'm in business, but am not very business like :lol:

I usually play it by ear, if I make plans, I always end up doing something else, so don't bother now. I've never had a coach or anything like that. I have to rely on myself, If I get stuck with an idea, it's my Bank Manager I ring up for a chat, he's lovely and always tells me the truth. :D

Jayne

[Admiral Collections]

Hi

Im all for this coaching and motivation. Most businesses use this kind of motivational process on their sales team, which I'm not against. However, after years of working for businesses who treat their sales people like gold, but ignore the accounts staff, credit controllers, receptionist etc after a period of time who do you think needs motivation the most, even if it's only occasionally to feel like you are wanted as well. (Jeez that mad me sound sad) For years I have had the best interests of every company I have ever worked for heart, yet repeatedly sales people are put up there on a pedestal which is ironic because again, wherever I have worked the highest turnover of staff in any department has been.......you guessed it sales.

If I had gone with all the sales peoples wishes of increasing credit limits, supplying goods because 'he is a nice guy really' guess what, there wouldn't have been a sales team to motivate because there wouldn't be a company.

So after that rant, I think this could be a good selling point for you Lorna. Whenever you get to see someone and they say my staff don't need motivating or coaching or if they just use your services for the sales team, bring up the thankless task of their credit controllers, who continuously mop up after the sales team have made bad decisions in a pure single minded attempt to gain business, but more importantly commission.

Im not bitter! For now I'm self-employed!

NIc :wink:

[Admiral Collections]

Ummm :oops: Yes, I think planning is important! Sorry got carried away.


Nic :wink:

[Astaroth]

On an employee basis my goals are set through out the year. I guess it partly comes from the nature of working in a projects environment - whilst you can have some generic goals they really need tailoring to the specific project you are working on.

I did have one session with an "executive coach" and was very unimpressed. We booked appointments with him for 3 of us to see how we got on and whether it was worth while using him for the rest of the team or amongst other areas of the business. I guess there was some aspect of personality/ approach clash between us and we all also felt that he was too used to coaching Exec level people in SME companies rather than the level below Exec in a multinational banking group (though his resume did claim to the fact he had a number of multinational companies on his books)

I wouldnt rule out using a coach again but I would want to be personally involved in their selection in the future

[lgylsen]

Nic oh Nic!

I wanted to rush over to you with a cup of herbal tea when I read your rant :shock:

Your in a much better place now......

[Admiral Collections]

Am I in heaven? Oh no, Im drinking Lorna's Cammomile tea! ahhhhhhh



Nic :wink:

[fastfences]

Hi Lorna,
As a self-motivated person I don't see the need for a coach, although I can see there is a need for those who aren't as hyped as I.

I set progressive goals with frequent evaluation and re-evaluation.

Cheers, Nigel

[Rachel1980]

Hi Lorna,

Some very interesting and thought provoking questions. I set goals at the start of every year that are more about myself and family. EG: Finish renovating the house, lose weight and exercise more, learn to paint, etc. Business wise we have monthly planning sessions to make sure we are heading down the right track, plan jobs that need to be completed, make sure the business is running effectively, etc.

I find that if I have some kind of plan and set goals for myself I feel a sense of accomplishment as I tick things off my list.

I have never personally used a life or business coach but if the need ever came up I would certainly look into it.

I hope these answers can help you with your article and I would also be very keen to read it once it's done.

All the best and have a great holiday season everyone.

Rachel

[seabro]

Hi Lorna,

I set goals weekly. But only since getting myself a proper business coach.

I have to give him a significant proportion of my income.. but he does not cost me anything. (He is from www.action-international.com incase you were wondering.)

To me, he is worth his weight in gold.

I also have a business mentor, free from the government. He is a very pleasant chap but thats as far as it goes. I consider our meetings invonvenient and will be terminating him soon. (No, I won't be killing him, just ending our arrangement).

I think good coaches are brilliant and bad ones waste your precious time.

I think goals are very helpful for progression.

All the best,

[Steve Roberts]

I set myself goals at the beginning of my financial year. Reason being, I'm of the view that all goals should be financially based - otherwise, what's the point.

We then measure "everything" to the enth degree. We have over 100 KPI's which we measure, so we can predict our sales and costs with a pretty good degree of accuracy. We review performance every two months - once a month is too often and once a quarter is too infrequent. As such, it's fair to say that we are highly driven to hit certain numbers.

[NicolaCassidy]

I've recently started writing goals, but have started with my personal life first. The main thing I have found is they have to realistic or there is absolutely no point in setting them. Also I have found that if one of them isn't achievable then I tend to ignore the rest as well! (or maybe thats just a useful get out clause for me!!)

I have never used a life coach but I have a personal trainer who tends to take that role when I spend 2 hours a week moaning at him and he is the one that has set my goals with me.