BUSINESS OWNERS - WHO TO TRUST FOR ADVICE?

After 20 years as a business owner, I have found many wise and insightful business owners, who have given me credible advice.  For several years I had a small group of small business owners, who were helpful to me in making certain small business decisions.  Still, I have had a few times when I have needed someone to help me tackle bigger issues.

I have also experienced other professionals, who have "successful businesses", but were not effective in offering me the insight and advice I needed.  I believe some reasons for this might be:

• a lack of good listening skills.
• they were trying to come back with impressive questions/statements that weren't relative to me and my situation.
• that they may have had their own agenda and not really trying to help me.

Perhaps you have had some bigger challenges to resolve and would like to locate an effective resource. 

When selecting or seeking professional advice, the more effective persons may not be the ones who are excessively aggressive or who brag about themselves and their businesses.  Those people have a tendency to be more interested in themselves than others.

You also don't need someone who tries to psychoanalyze you, digging deep into you personally or emotionally.  Instead, you need "true professionals" who gather the facts and have experience, as well as good resources and knowledge.  You need someone who will "listen" to your issue and can provide "constructive" questions, ideas, options, possible resources, etc. to help you determine the best solution for you.

One possible resource could be a very good Executive Coach, who can help you think through your situation and get you focused on how to approach and resolve your problem.  It is easy for Decision Makers/Owners to find themselves filled with data and just need help sorting it out.  Likewise, they may need guidance in evaluating, then organizing how to tackle the challenge in order to "move forward".  Such a coach should make you accountable and not let you procrastinate what needs to be done.

Select your advisers and/or coach carefully.  Make sure they will be effective in helping you make sound and wise decisions.  This should be someone that you trust!