ByOnlinecourses55
Difference between coaching and consulting - coaching business
There are terms that are often used synonymously, such as coaching and consulting, however, they represent different services, just as the roles of the coach and the consultant are different.
Both specialties make a diagnosis as a starting point at the beginning of the relationship with the client. Both develop a plan of action and aim to assist the client in achieving his or her goals. Both coaching and consulting provide their services to entrepreneurs and companies.
The main difference lies in the nature of the relationship established between the specialist and the client. In a consultancy, the priority is the objectives to be achieved, while in coaching, the fundamental thing is that there is growth in the client, who becomes the center of the process, and the objectives are subordinated to his or her well-being.
They fulfill different functions and both are equally useful and important, it is only necessary to know when one service or the other is required. The business must assess which option is the one it needs.
The coach facilitates and accompanies in a learning process, while a consultant recommends, directs and advises directly the way forward.
A consultancy is carried out by professionals with expertise in a particular area. This service is usually external, either through an independent specialist or a consulting firm. Its purpose is to intervene in a specific sector of the business to solve problems and optimize work skills, which in turn results in increased profitability.
It is a service based on the confidentiality of information. It is a good investment if you need to solve a specific situation or provide a necessary service, but do not have the personnel or resources to perform the task.
Among the most common types of consultancy are legal, IT, marketing, human resources management, economics, communication, among many others.
They may be aimed at increasing sales, optimizing processes, restructuring the business organization, performing technical audits, training employees, managing hiring, performing accounting exercises, preparing market studies, and many others.
At the end of the contract, it must be specified whether the work is concluded because the objectives were completed, suspended or continued, but without the consultant's advice.
Problem solving: In coaching, the client must find the solution himself. In consulting, the consultant makes the decisions directly, teaches and advises what to do.
Working style: In coaching, a non-directive style is used where the client always makes the decisions, whereas in consulting, the client is directed towards the outcome based on professional opinions and experience.
Specialization: In coaching, the coach does not necessarily have to be an expert in the client's business sector, general knowledge may be sufficient. The consultant is an expert in his or her field and applies his or her knowledge in a variety of situations.
Experience: In coaching, the coach avoids using his or her experience to influence the client. In consulting, the consultant's experience is key to guiding clients.
Knowledge: In coaching, the coach works to develop the client's skills and abilities with the knowledge he or she already possesses. In consulting, the specialist brings knowledge that does not exist in the client or the company.
Action plan: In coaching, the action plan is determined by the client and it is the client who executes the agreed actions. In consulting, the plan is elaborated according to the consultant's judgment and he can participate in the actions.
Among the main benefits of a consultancy are:
A consultancy is necessary when you already know what is wrong, but you prefer an external specialist to take care of it while the business staff concentrates on other objectives. Also if the business is looking to expand or is in crisis, this service is useful thanks to its ability to analyze the facts in depth.
It is necessary when we want to ensure a global vision of the situation we want to solve. When there are deficiencies or we cannot solve problems with internal human resources. It is also very useful when we do not want the policies and culture of the business to influence the decisions to be made.
A consultant is someone who:
