Now Is The Time To Get A Growth Coach

Are you the leader of a company, even if you would have to say that company is “me, myself and I”? There’s no shame in that because every business has to start somewhere. But how do you best pursue growing your business?

Even if you are an independent consultant or professional, you need to think like a CEO when it comes to managing growth.

“As the CEO of a private firm in the United States, you are an important and influential part of our economy and in the lives of your employees,” says CEO growth coach Steve Brody. “The challenge for any leader is how to get better.”

Sure, it’s great to run the show. But who has your back?

“If you play golf, you cannot see your backswing, so you get a coach,” says Brody.

The same logic holds true if you want to grow your company. Many key coaches and mastermind groups have helped me grow my businesses. In my opinion, one of the best business development investments you can make is to hire a qualified coach.

Brody’s qualifications include serving as corporate marketing vice president for Coca-Cola’s $2 billion Minute Maid juice division and later being hired as president by venture capital investors to run four different companies.

In the last 20 years he has coached 500 business owners. He also runs his own peer advisory mastermind group for CEOs. Previously as a master chair for Vistage Worldwide, the world’s largest executive coaching organization, he led advisory board groups for CEOs (we met when he invited me to speak to his group in Houston). He has consulted with business owners and equity investors in the areas of strategic business plans, marketing plans and market research.

“My role as their CEO coach or advisor is to provide mentorship,” says Brody. “Plus, it is to be a connector, or a link to a variety of trusted outside advisors. In this capacity, I can play a significant business development role.”

If you are a consultant or professional, Brody advises you form relationships with CPA firms, investment bankers, commercial bankers, lawyers (M&A deals, litigation, employee matters, general corporate), valuation firms, executive search firms, business consultants, and exit planners, like himself. He is author of the book What Happens After The Sale.

“Operate with the end in mind to generate a successful exit,” says Brody, who is a certified exit consultant. He adds it is never too early for founders to prepare for a future exit that doesn’t involve a crisis.

“As a CEO coach, I help generate the firm’s direction, vision, and execution,” says Brody. “I recommend using the Rockefeller Habits as a discipline and template.”

The Rockefeller Habits is a business growth system based on the book Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish. The 10 Rockefeller Habits are:

1.   The executive team is healthy and aligned.

2.   Everyone is aligned with the #1 thing that needs to be accomplished this quarter to move the company forward.

3.   Communication rhythm is established, and information moves through the organization quickly.

4.   Every facet of the organization has a person assigned with accountability for ensuring goals are met.

5.   Ongoing employee input is collected to identify obstacles and opportunities.

6.   Reporting and analysis of customer feedback data is as frequent and accurate as financial data.

7.   Core values and purpose are alive in the organization.

8.   Employees can articulate the key components of the company’s strategy accurately.

9.   All employees can answer quantitatively whether they had a good day or week.

10. The company’s plans and performance are visible to everyone.

Brody says it takes to time to become more effective and to do what you love. The purpose of a CEO growth coach is to help you achieve your goals faster.