Product reviews for The Business Coaching Handbook

What a fabulous little book! Packed with practical, customer- centric marketing tips, it directly addresses the issues that most commonly affect a business. Marketing books generally contain condensed common sense, yet almost every business owner finds reasons not to apply it. Curly Martin has produced a text that commits the reader to action and to taking responsibility for every aspect of business development.

Each chapter begins with a story that emphasises the applicability of these generic marketing processes to every business. The reader's challenge is one of drawing specific parallels to his or her own business and prioritising actions.

Fundamental to a venture's success is the commitment and tenacity of its principal. The author shows us how to focus that commitment by setting goals with precision and clarity. When the target is clearly-defined the business owner can focus effort on hitting it.

Poor time control is the crunch issue for many sole traders and small businesses. Chapter 3 provides charts to help analyse where we lose time and how to reclaim it. There's something here for everyone, but be warned, the method takes no prisoners. Such single-minded purpose may yield unintended domestic consequences for the home worker!

I would like to have seen a focus on energy rather than time. An exercise to allow the reader to explore those times of day when he or she feels most productive would have been useful, as this knowledge can dramatically improve an individual's effectiveness.

This book is totally practical in its treatment of marketing strategy. Martin draws the reader's attention to the primary task of knowing the target customer and of positioning the offer to match their needs. Her chapters on advertising, press releases, website considerations and tactical socialising build a holistic approach to wooing the customer, based on real experience and know-how.

The staff strategy chapter serves to assure potential employers that, by adopting clear processes, there is always a pathway to be found through the employment minefield. Martin takes a similarly pragmatic approach to money matters, emphasising the benefits of regular book-keeping and cash-flow monitoring to maintain awareness of the health of the business. She includes a clear disclaimer, advising that professional legal and financial support should always be sought when required.

The staff strategy chapter serves to assure potential employers that, by adopting clear processes, there is always a pathway to be found through the employment minefield. Martin takes a similarly pragmatic approach to money matters, emphasising the benefits of regular book-keeping and cash-flow monitoring to maintain awareness of the health of the business. She includes a clear disclaimer, advising that professional legal and financial support should always be sought when required.

This is more a book on business practice than coaching, but it illustrates the scope for coaching in the small business sector. Any business owners expecting this little black book to solve their problems will be disappointed: it's down to them, there is no quick fix. After reading it, however, they may enrol for coaching when they realise the broad spectrum of support available beyond the traditional areas of legal counsel and accountancy.