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7 Tips for Coach Training School Comparison

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:48:36 +0000

With so many options of varying price and quality how does one compare? Here are some practical areas to compare when reviewing coach training schools.

* Cost. Coach training programs range from $700 USD to over $15,000 USD. Try dividing the number of “live” coach training hours into the total cost for a basic comparison. I highly recommend World Coach Institute in this regard.

* Payment. Does the school offer payments plans? If you plan to make a one-time payment do they offer discounts for paying upfront?

* Total hours for the program. If you plan to obtain your International Coach Federation (ICF) certification you will need to attend a “live” coach training program with a certain number of hours.

* Content. What is actually being taught? Coach training programs that teach core coaching skills such as the ICF Core Competencies are going to be your best bet. Also, look for programs that teach you coach business building and coach marketing techniques.

* Instructor. Does your Instructor have a lot of coaching experience or are they a teacher just teaching course material for a coach training school? You want an Instructor that has both types of experience: coaching and teaching.

* Length of time, hours per week. How much time per week can you dedicate to your coach training program and does the coach training school offer a program that matches your schedule?

* Method of coach training. Does the coach training school offer teleclasses or in-person training? Again, if you plan to obtain your International Coach Federation (ICF) certification you will need to attend a “live” coach training program with a certain number of “live” coach training hours.

7 Qualities to Look for in a Coach Training Program

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:11:11 +0000

If you are considering life coach training, career coach training or any other type of coach training you probably have found a number of options out there and may be feeling overwhelmed. I understand. I was there once too!

A good coach training program like the programs offered at World Coach Institute will encompass several key qualities:

1. Coach Training Hours. Enough hours to qualify you for
International Coach Federation (ICF) accreditation so that if you choose to get your credential you may do so as soon as you receive your coach certification or at a later date. You need 48 “live” tele-class hours and an additional 12 self-study hours to apply for the entry-level ICF credential. These must be centered on the ICF Core Competencies. The program does not have to be ICF approved or accredited to count toward your ICF credential application.

2. Coaching Practicum. Review of your coaching skills by your Coach Trainer and practical application. Coaching theory is wonderful to learn but without practical application you may find yourself a bit lost on how to apply what you have learned. Look for a school that offers in-class coaching or a coach training practicum.

3. Buddy Coaching. Buddy coaching is the practice of coaching with your classmates outside of class. Not only do you build your coaching hours but you develop amazing relationships, some that last a lifetime. The people you meet in your classes are going to be your biggest supporters. They are going to be the people you lean on after the course ends. Your classmates are often a good source of referrals too as everyone specializes in a particular coaching niche.

4. Coaching Tools. Your program should provide you with coaching tools to use with your clients. These may include a Welcome Packet, Coaching Agreement, an Assessment, and Coaching forms.

5. Business Building Techniques. Often times coach training programs teach you the theory and even the skill but leave you hanging when it comes to business development. Make sure your coach training program offers some coach business building and marketing skills too!

6. An Instructor Who Cares. Speak with your Instructor or the Director of the program before you get started to find out if you are a match. You will be spending a lot of time with this person or people so you want to find out if they really care about your development as a Coach and the success of your business. Be careful of Coach Trainers who are looking to sell their ICF mentoring services at $250 – $300 per hour.

7. And Finally, Trust Your Intuition. Go with your gut. Listen to your heart. Remember, when you talk to the person representing a school they are going to plant ideas in your head about their competition. It is important to decipher between the fluff and the tangible offering.

7 Reasons to Become a Coach

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:03:18 +0000

There are so many reasons to become a coach I hesitate to write about just seven. As a Coach and Coach Trainer I see dreams made real on a daily basis and this is just the start. Here are my top 7 reasons to become a coach:

1. Personal Development: Through the process of becoming a coach you have an opportunity to develop yourself beyond your wildest imagination. Many students graduate from coach training completely rejuvenated with a new zest for life.

2. Tools for Life: Through the coach certification programs at World Coach Institute you gain invaluable tools to catalyze and change your life and the lives of others.

3. Personal Empowerment: Having the wisdom and knowledge to do what a coach does is personally empowering. Helping others to see new perspectives, grow and take charge of the life they really want is even more so.

4. The People: Since work occupies so much of our day it is important that we enjoy our colleagues and our clients. The people I have met along the way through my coach training and practice development have been some of the most positive, driven and intelligent people I have ever encountered.

5. Positive Energy: Seeing others through to a clear vision and happiness is inspiring. The positive momentum that results is amazing and contagious. It is always nice to know that the positive vibration you create with your client with also affect others in their lives.

6. Freedom: Becoming a coach gives you the freedom to work for yourself. You decide how much or how little you wish to work and what your schedule will look like. Many coaches meet with their clients three times per month therefore giving themselves one week off per month. Coaches know the value taking time off. We lead by example.

7. Unlimited Potential: The coaching industry is still fairly new so there are abundant opportunities for multiple streams of income. Creating eBooks, group coaching, seminars, and workshops are just a few.