Business Coaches play a pivotal role in guiding organisations towards success. They are the navigators, helping to chart a course towards growth, innovation, and sustainable success.These seasoned professionals are the mentors and guides who can help businesses navigate the turbulent waters of strategic planning. They often recommend their clients to participate in growth initiatives like The Where and The Why Workshop to unlock their full potential. But what prompts Business Coaches to make such recommendations, and for which teams do they advocate this transformative experience?
We spoke with five expert business coaches, Polly Venning, Jeremy Barker, Juli Forrest, Luke Kenniff, and Graham Bell to gain insights into what sort of clients they recommend should participate in The Where and The Why Strategic Planning Workshop.
Polly Venning, Trusted Business Advisor, at PV Growth Advisors, recognises that not all businesses are created equal when it comes to strategic planning. She distinguishes between two types of businesses she recommends for should attend a strategic planning Workshop:
According to Polly, the first type comprises businesses that already exhibit a certain level of forward-thinking. These businesses are characterised by their openness to innovation and their willingness to explore new avenues for growth. “They have a track record of innovation and business savvy.” she explains, “They’re open to external expertise to support their journey. These businesses are proactive, seeking continuous improvement.”
However, Polly also acknowledges that not all businesses fall into this category. Some are struggling, grappling with confusion, and searching for direction. “The second type of business I refer are those in a state of absolute confusion. They’ve tried various strategies without much success and are now in need of a fresh perspective. For them, a fresh approach is necessary – a way to gather their team and collectively determine their path forward. They require a cohesive approach to realign their scattered efforts and set a clear direction for the future.”
Jeremy Barker, Business Coach from Allus Ventures, adds his perspective, focusing on readiness and recognition. He believes that businesses referred to The Where and The Why Workshop must meet two fundamental criteria:
“A company must be prepared for change and be open to challenging the status quo,” says Jeremy. “In my experience, this readiness often comes when a business recognises the need for something different. These businesses have been operating for a while, and their teams perform their tasks in well-defined roles. However, there’s often a lack of a unifying purpose beyond the owner or CEO’s vision. In such cases, bringing the team together to collectively define their shared purpose is vital.
Jeremy’s second criterion is recognition. In his experience, businesses that benefit the most from the Workshop are those that recognise their need for it. “Strategic workshops like The Where and The Why help in bringing the team together cohesively. It aligns them around a common purpose, a shared vision, and motivates them to work collaboratively towards a common goal.”
Juli Forrest, Business Coach at Araleigh Business Growth, emphasises the importance of readiness. For Juli, it’s a critical factor for success when referring clients to the Workshop. She believes that a team must be prepared for the Workshop to be fruitful.
“Readiness is a prerequisite for productive participation,” says Juli. “If a team isn’t ready to engage fully, invest the effort, and actively participate in the Workshop, its potential benefits may remain unrealised. Businesses that benefit most from workshops like The Where and The Why are those willing to invest the time and effort to align their teams. The team must be prepared to put in the hard work.”
“It’s not just about having the right people in the room; it’s about bringing everyone on a transformative journey,” says Juli. “It’s about creating an environment where everyone, from leadership to junior staff, has a deep understanding of the company’s strategic direction and a shared sense of purpose “
Luke Kenniff, Business Coach at Harvest, approaches the question from the perspective of a team’s growth stage and its need for revitalisation. He highlights that businesses facing new growth stages or significant shifts in their operations can greatly benefit from the Workshop.
“Businesses that are either entering a new phase of growth or contemplating a significant change in direction, such as mergers or acquisitions, can benefit greatly,” says Luke. “Moreover, many business leaders often find themselves working tirelessly ‘in’ the business, neglecting the crucial aspect of working ‘on’ the business. This is where strategic workshops play a pivotal role. They provide executives with the opportunity to step back and engage with their teams, eliciting valuable insights and opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. It encourages open dialogue and allows leadership to receive feedback and insights from other team members.”
Graham Bell, Business Coach, Bell Management Consultants, says “I will refer clients that I think have untapped potential, and The Where and The Why Workshop will release that potential.”
Coaches believe that workshops like The Where and The Why are not just about creating a strategic plan; they are about transforming businesses into cohesive, purpose-driven entities ready to navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern commerce.
Ultimately, these diverse insights from experienced Business Coaches demonstrate that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to determining which teams should attend a strategic planning Workshop. Instead, it’s about assessing a team’s readiness, recognising the need for collective purpose, and identifying the stage of growth or transformation in which a business finds itself. In essence, these Business Coaches advocate for teams that are open to change, seeking clarity, unity, and innovation in their strategic planning.
