Frequently Asked Questions
When engaging a coaching provider for the first time or indeed when changing supplier, many questions will naturally cross your mind. Here, we would like to answer as many of those questions as possible and give you the clarity and confidence to engage with Merriweather. For anything not covered below please contact us directly.
Merriweather coaches are inspirational, we make leaders shine. Our coaching changes lives. We are candid and challenging, that is why our customers stay with us and which is why we offer a refund if you are not fully satisfied. We have been working with thousands of leaders in large companies for the last 12 years. Over this time we have developed a winning and most of all proven methodology focusing on the critical success elements for becoming the best; leadership development, clarity, accountability and resolving business challenges. Our programmes follow a proven formula so we know it works. Over 70% of the programme is tailored to the leader and team’s specific requirements therefore we help you get more of the day job done.
Because you are an ambitious leader facing numerous challenges and you want a gold medal for your hard work and efforts. How will you know you need a coach? For the same reason any footballer, sportsman or politician has one, it’s not easy to be the best. To become the best doesn’t happen by chance. Getting the best out of the people in your team and organisation will not happen by chance either.
‘Symptoms’ that suggest a business coach could be helpful to you are; your team meetings over run and people have excuses as to why they need not attend, you find yourself too busy and your family are not receiving the attention and time they perhaps warrant, you are stressed out, you need to achieve some quick wins, you want a promotion but you need to build a high performing team first, work isn’t fun for you or the team, some of your team are behaving in a dysfunctional manner and you need to align and unite them to follow you and the organisation’s mission and vision. Whatever you’re experiencing one thing is for sure, a business coach can enable you to have a happier corporate and therefore personal life.
Over the past decade we have asked leaders and their teams all over the world to list the biggest challenges and barriers to success they are facing, the typical answers are surprisingly similar regardless of industry sector;
We coach leaders and teams to overcome these challenges and far more. There are many situations which have encouraged leaders to test the waters with business coaches. One less obvious sign that an executive needed to change was in fact his underperformance on the golf course! This particular executive was a passionate and successful social golf player however after he took on a new role he could not hit a good ball because he was so stressed out at work. This is how he worked out something had to change.
Another leader had a big opportunity to muster and he wanted to break through barriers, another had a very new and innovative project and needed to engage a mentor who had been there and done it before. Leaders have approached us for various reasons, here are just some of the ones that spring to mind; when inheriting a team, building a high performing team, a team/organisational reorganisation, a companywide change programme, tackling a new or existing business challenge, optimising business challenges, preparing to interview for an executive position and the following first 100 days in the new role.
This is exactly why you could benefit from coaching – you are too busy to fulfil your potential. Your lack of time is killing your opportunity, it’s getting in the way of your potential success. Our coaching methods are most relevant as the conversations are about getting your day job done. We are only coaching you to do what you need to do more effectively – therefore you must get more time back. Seventy percent of our coaching programmes are designed and dedicated to resolving your business challenges, getting more of the day job done.
Coaching is often thought of as being remedial. However, consider top performing athletes, a successful racing driver – the winners are often those who focus on their training – practice, practice, practice. Tony Balir had three coaches to prepare him for the Iraq inquiry presentation. He had a unique and challenging situation ahead of him, he secured the insight and perspective of others to help him succeed.
Sometimes coaching needs to be remedial. Let’s not argue about it, it’s irrelevant as coaching is about improving and bettering oneself to achieve more. Jonny Wilkinson became the best rugby kicker as he was out on the field all night kicking the same ball – was this remedial? He probably thought so as he had such high standards.
Yes! Significant team behaviour changes tend to happen between 3-5 months after coaching commences. On a personal basis you’ll realise benefits immediately.
You will feel happier, more confident, and you’ll be enjoying your role even more. For team coaching, the programme integrates an Accountability Dashboard with regular accountability calls to track and monitor success is moving in the right direction and at the right pace for the business.
When you hire a Merriweather business coach you’re guided to overcome your greatest challenges which are perhaps getting in the way of your success today. Through a series of conversations the coach will guide you to the solution enabling your success. You’ll be inspired and your performance will inspire those around you.
Coaching is fine tuned to your specific business challenge. Some Merriweather clients (like Microsoft) were our first client and we still work with them 12 years later.
Our approach is based on the realities of human nature and corporate life. We wouldn’t be in business unless our approach to coaching our clients was phenomenally successful and produced great returns for our customers. Our background, our experience, our team, our passion – we know how to do this – we are good at it. Merriweather also has a unique focus on developing leadership and combining that with resolving your business challenges which means no downtime for you and the team. It also means classroom theory is applied instantly to your real business challenges so there’s no need to translate theory into the ‘real’ world. Don’t just take our word for it – hear what our clients say.
Prices vary from programme to programme. One to one coaching programmes typically start from £6,000 GBP and team coaching programmes start from £20,000 GBP. If you are not sure which programme is right for you please contact Merriweather who will connect you with a business coach who can recommend a tailored solution to fit your needs.
Call us today to speak to one of our business coaches, on 0845 625 0254. Alternatively, you may wish to complete the short enquiry form. Please provide as much information as you can to help us answer your query and please include an email address or phone number so that we can respond to you.
Use the enquiry form and we will get right back to you.
