There's a pattern worth naming. Coaches who are struggling with their business almost always assume the problem is in the coaching. They need better skills, a different certification, and more training. So they hire another coach. The business keeps struggling. In this episode of The Coaching Clinic, John and Angie dig into why the problems most coaches and speakers face are business problems, not delivery problems, and why the people who are hardest to help are often the ones who can't see that from where they're standing. John shares his own experience hiring consultants and ongoing mentors to address specific business outcomes, and why he sees a clear distinction between coaching, mentoring and consulting as different tools for different purposes. What you'll take away from this episode: Why coaches default to improving their craft when the real problem is in the business structureHow being "in the game" makes it nearly impossible to see where you're going wrongWhat to look for in a business consultant, and how to de-risk the investmentWhy AI flattery is not a substitute for someone who actually knows what they're talking aboutThe difference between coaching, mentoring and consulting, and when each one is the right fitWhy even experienced practitioners reach a point where external perspective becomes essentialWhat track record and outcome-specific guarantees should look like before you hire anyone Whether you're just starting out, years into your coaching practice, or wondering why growth has plateaued despite strong client work, this episode is worth your time. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction to Business Coaching 0:16 - John's Experience with Consultants 0:49 - Angie's Perspective on Coaching 4:00 - Challenges in Transitioning Industries 7:50 - The Importance of Mentors and Guides 11:15 - Evaluating Expertise and Track Records 13:33 - Closing Thoughts FAQ SECTIONFrequently Asked Questions When should a coach hire a business consultant rather than another coach? John Ball and Angie discuss in this episode of The Coaching Clinic that coaches should consider a business consultant when their growth has stalled despite strong delivery and client outcomes. The distinction they make is that coaching addresses mindset, behaviour and personal development, while consulting provides specific direction based on real-world experience with the problem you're facing. Ball argues that most coaching business problems are business problems, not craft problems, and treating them as the latter wastes time. The right moment to bring in a consultant is before the alarms are sounding, not after resources have been exhausted. Why do coaches and speakers focus on improving their delivery skills instead of fixing their business? According to John Ball on The Coaching Clinic, coaches and speakers default to improving their craft because that is the area they understand best and have the most control over. The coaching part of a coaching business feels familiar; the business mechanics do not. This creates a bias toward solutions like speaker coaching, charisma training or further certification, even when the actual problem is client acquisition, positioning or conversion. Ball argues that if you cannot clearly identify the problem from inside the business, you need external eyes, not more delivery practice. What should coaches look for when vetting a business consultant? John Ball states on The Coaching Clinic that a business consultant should be vetted on two criteria: a demonstrable track record with the specific outcome you need, and some form of guarantee or outcome commitment attached to their work. He distinguishes this from coaching, where the work is exploratory, and the answers are drawn out from the client. A consultant should be able to say what result they can help you achieve. Ball warns against consultants who rely primarily on AI-generated insight without real-world experience to back it up. How does having an outside perspective help coaches grow their business? John Ball and Angie use the football pitch analogy in this episode: when you are on the playing field, you cannot see the whole game. An external consultant, mentor or advisor can see patterns, blind spots and opportunities that are invisible to the person running the business day to day. Angie reinforces this by reflecting on a long-term client who spent 40 years successfully running a business and still struggled when entering a new sector, because the business model was different, even when the knowledge base was familiar. External perspective is valuable at every stage, not just during a crisis. Is hiring a business consultant worthwhile even when a coaching business is going well? John Ball's position on The Coaching Clinic is that consulting is most valuable before things break down, not after. He argues that the question should not be "am I struggling enough to justify this?" but "what am I not seeing that someone with relevant experience could show me?" Angie echoes this, noting that even coaches with a decade of practice are master coaches, not necessarily master business owners. Both hosts recommend treating external consultation as a proactive investment in clarity rather than a reactive rescue operation. Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn: John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com 2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 97