I’ve just been reading the biography of Steve Jobs, the guy who founded Apple Computers.

What an amazing guy! He founded Apple; was booted out after making hundreds of millions of dollars; started NeXT Computers; went from boom to bust; bought into Pixar studios; succeeded hugely in a joint venture with Disney and made more millions; was brought back into Apple when the company bought NeXT; masterminded the iPod, the iPhone and, most recently the iPad; survived major heart surgery and continues to run the company.

What any small business owner can learn from this is that there is no such thing as failure provided you can pick yourself up, learn from your mistakes and move on – and that’s where a good business coach can be invaluable; providing an unbiased ear, a supportive attitude and a sounding board for new ideas.

I signed up a new client recently and after our meeting I sat down and tried to analyse exactly what it was that attracted her to sign with me.

Now I could assume that it was my handsome features or my magnetic personality but I’m not into self delusion!

She is a very capable and confident business person and her business is successful so she doesn’t obviously need specific help or advice.

I concluded that it was something really simple – she just wanted someone to talk to!

Now you’re probably asking yourself why she would be so rash as to pay me every month just so she can talk to me – after all there must plenty of other people in the world she could talk to who wouldn’t charge her money for it.

The point is I don’t have a hidden agenda. I’m not trying to sell her something extra; I’m not trying to lend her money; I’m not offering to recruit staff for her; I have no favourites or internal political views that relate to her company or her family – I’m there to listen to her; to challenge her ideas; to offer additional ideas and opinions about her business based on my experience both of running my own businesses for over 20 years and 5 years of coaching other business owners; to provide a sounding board that will enable her to gain an additional perspective on her business.

She believes that this will be worth the money that she pays me and that it will give her a good return on her investment and help to make her even more successful.

Do you know any other business owners who need someone like me to talk to? If so please refer them to me.

The other week someone introduced me as a Business Consultant. I didn’t take offence, but I really do try to avoid being described as a consultant.

I once heard an apt definition of a consultant as… “Someone who saves his client almost enough to pay his fees”. Now do you see why I’m a little sensitive?

I work with my clients to facilitate change; to help move them from where they are today to where they want to be; to deliver real, quantifiable value; to make a measurable difference to their businesses and their lives.

I don’t work with business owners who are completely satisfied with where they are today. I don’t work with business owners who are completely happy with their companies, their staff, their turnover and their progress. Come to think of it though, I haven’t actually met too many business owners who fit that description.

My clients either have too much to handle or not enough to meet their needs – either way I can help them. And I bet that every one of you knows someone who fits that description so please tell them about me.

I’m Dave Baker and I’m a Business Coach

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine they lay down for the night and went to sleep.

Some hours later Holmes woke up and nudged his friend; “Watson, look up and tell me what you see?” Watson replied “I see millions of stars.” “So what does that tell you asked Holmes?”

Watson pondered for a moment. “Astronomically it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is about a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that the universe is magnificent and that we are insignificant. Meteorologically, I think it will be a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?”

Holmes was silent for a moment and then spoke; “Watson, you idiot. Someone’s stolen the tent!”

Business coaches will take a different perspective on a business and will sometimes see the obvious things that the business owner can’t. If you know a business owner who needs another perspective on their business, please refer them to me.