Diamond Author
Before retirement, I was a franchisor founder, and that meant I had to wear many hats, and perhaps the most difficult hat I had to wear was one of coach. Perhaps, it is for that reason that when I hear someone say that they are a coach rather than a consultant, I look at them with a stern eye. You see, I know it's very trendy these days to be a coach, and everyone who used to be a consultant is now calling themselves a coach.
Since I retired I've done quite a bit of consulting, mostly freebie stuff, helping entrepreneurs and innovators bring their products and services to market, get their companies started, and get them growing, so that someday they can get a return on their investment and profit from all their hard work. One thing I have learned as a freebie consultant is that you have to be very careful that you don't let other people take advantage of you.
All too often, folks come in and want your assistance, and when you explain to them what they need to do, they will not follow the proper steps were put in the hard work to get there, and you find them asking you to prepare their marketing and business plans. At that point you need to realize that you are dealing with someone, who cannot perform, or is too lazy to be an entrepreneur. In that case you need to let them know the truth, and suggest they go get a job and earn a living working for someone else.
On the other hand, if they decide that they cannot do the next step, or feel they don't have enough confidence to do it, you may choose to help them get that confidence, or do the job for them for a fee. Either way you must not ever let them take advantage of you, or your good nature and believe me there are plenty of people in the world who are takers. Please consider all this.
About this Author
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow
