Individuals interested in receiving coaching may have initial questions that can be answered on this FAQ’s page. If a question is not answered below, please feel free to e-mail your question to: info@claryglobalconsulting.com and a coach will respond to you as soon as possible.

The company providing the coaching services is a consulting group. Is this coaching or consulting?

Clary Global Consulting provides both coaching and consulting services. We have found that in a consulting environment, critical members of a client organization would benefit from coaching services. This allows them to better prepare for the changes that a consultant might require to move an organization to its goal. Then there are times that individuals might initially require coaching services, but in all actuality need a consultant to take on a more direct role in assisting their business needs.

The coaching services are administered by a seasoned coach with several years of one-on-one contact with clients; however, this individual also, has several years of industry experience that allows them to speak directly about certain industry practices.
 

So, what is the difference between coaching and consulting? They seem like they are one in the same.

No, not at all; they are very different in function and role. A consultant is a SME (Subject Matter Expert) hired to directly advise an organization or individual. They are wholly accountable for the services they provide; they are personally engaged in the assessment of the operations of an organization; and they may have access to information, staff and financials in order to recommend process improvements.

Coaches on the other hand function solely on a one-on-one basis. The coach utilizes only what the client brings to the table. That is where the co-creative relationship is formed: where the client and the coach are equals, working together to find solutions to a client’s goals. The coach is not going to engage in the day to day business practices of the client’s organization, nor are they going to establish their own personal agendas for the client. Coaches, unlike consultants, are not tied to being “right” or consumed with what a specific outcome might be. Coaches guide a client to use their own natural, innate abilities to find solutions and answers to their problems.

I’m interested in receiving coaching, but I’m not crazy or unable to function in my day to day life. I am actually very successful, so is this something I need?

Coaching is reserved for well adjusted individuals. Coaches are not psychiatrists or therapist; therefore, they deal with what are considered well individuals. Coaching requires that the client be in a position to be coached and NOT suffering from clinical depression, schizophrenia, etc. Individuals suffering from clinical issues require the assistance of those specifically trained to “treat” such ailments. Coaches do not treat or diagnose. And there is a difference between being unable to function in one’s daily life due to medical reasons and unable to function due to being overwhelmed. Being a business professional who is overwhelmed with responsibilities is exactly who coaching could benefit.

Those who consider themselves very successful did not become successful by embracing the status quo.  Challenge is usually a significant driving force for successful people and coaches are ideally positioned to challenge and expand these individuals.

Is there a specific type of client you specialize in?

Yes, at Clary Global Consulting we specialize in decision makers, specifically senior management. People engaged in executive level decision making, C-level and board members, department heads, entrepreneurs and business owners. We are not limited to those individuals… but our fees are reflective of that market.

We also provide both standard business coaching, life coaching, career transition coaching and reputation management coaching (branding).

I’m someone who is interested in becoming an executive one day. Even though I am not at that point in my professional career, would this be a good place for me to start? Or is this type of coaching more than what I need right now?

It is a very good place to start. Knowing where you want to go is part of the battle. By knowing what you want, a coach can help guide you in your professional decision making to assist you in reaching your long term goals. You will also have an opportunity to receive coaching from an individual who has seen and heard many of the mistakes that people make along the way so you can benefit from that experience and set up better habits to reach your goal.

I’m an experienced CFO who has been relatively successful in my career. I want to reassess my goals/life and set new goals. But I am not sure how much a coach who is not from the financial world will understand me and what I am talking about. Do I need to find someone who has that specific knowledge?

Not at all; coaches usually specialize in fields where they do have more specific knowledge and are able to connect easily with their niche clients. At Clary Global Consulting, our coach has substantial knowledge of a diverse number of industries and at many levels. But what is more important than them being able to “speak your language” is that you are committed to looking at your issues through a different filter; which is what the role of the coach ultimately is. The solutions to your goal setting may reside externally from your current career and come from newer and more intriguing sources.

What can I expect from a coaching session?

Most sessions are performed via phone or Skype and last between 45 minutes and 1-hour. Before every session, clients are required to send in their “Session Prep Questionnaire” where the client sets the Agenda for the discussion. The coach will use that Agenda as the framework from which to guide the client.

This is a very casual, laid back conversation not intended to be an interrogation or twenty questions. The conversations flow smoothly with the coach actively listening to the client; and during important moments, offering up a question or insightful comment meant to move the process forward. By the end of the discussion, hopefully the client has engaged in some new thought processes and is willing to accept some form of action plan to work on until the next session. Nothing is discussed or done by the client that they feel uncomfortable about. It is intended to be a positive experience with the client feeling ready to take the next step towards reaching their goals.

How do I pay for my coaching?

In order to keep things more private for our clients, we do not do billings, bank drafts or credit card charges. This usually requires an inordinate amount of personal as well as financial information kept by an organization that exposes clients unduly. Therefore, we request that clients set up a Pay Pal account and pay their monthly session fees through that account. This allows the client to feel more in control of their financial security and allows our coaching program to be focused on the needs of the individual client, and not on billing. (Clients can go to the Rates Page on this website to find a link to PayPal for easy access to the payment systems.)

What if I don’t feel comfortable with paying online? Can I send a check?

Yes. However, we must receive your payment well in advance of your sessions so that checks have time to clear. We have a strict policy that sessions must be pre-paid as we have no way to charge the client in the event that they did not pay for sessions before they were rendered.

What if I pre-pay sessions but have to stop before I use them all?

The number of sessions a client pays for will be calculated against what they have used and a refund of the balance will be sent back to them. If you are able to resume coaching again, you will be required to set up payments once again.

Do I have to call in at the exact same day and time every week? I travel a lot and my schedule is always in flux!

A consistent schedule can drive the co-creative process and help reach goals, but your coach will work with your schedule. However, this does not excuse no-shows or no-calls. Clients are advised to notify their coach ASAP to a schedule change so as not to be charged for a session.

I’m a business owner and want to use coaching to help me enhance my business skills, management techniques and marketing. These are all relating back to my bottom line. Can I use coaching as a tax deduction for my business?

It is highly advisable that you discuss this matter with your CPA. There are cases where this is possible, but it is best to seek their advice.

How long do people coach for. When will I see some kind of change or result?

As with all things, people are unique and their needs are unique. The general rule of thumb that we follow when it comes to modifying behavior or making life changes is as follows:

1-month:           clients usually will sense changes in the way they think about things

3-months:          consistent coaching and clients begin to modify behavior on their own and change comes more readily

6-months:          consecutive coaching and many of the positive changes become more permanent in their day to day life.

Beyond:            many clients are reaching goals and setting new ones so the end times for coaching depends greatly on when clients feel they no longer need the consistent coaching. However, many choose to get a few refresher sessions to stay on top of their game and keep focus.

The above are just guidelines and not intended to be an exact representation of a client’s path.