About the Modules

Module 1: Personal Goals Module 2: Business Strategy Module 3: Monitoring And Reporting Module 4: Performance Improvement Module 5: Building The TEAM Module 6: Sensing Communicating Driving

Module 1: Personal Goals

The essential first step in a coaching appointment is to establish what the client really wants. Certain key areas are examined through an honest and open session with the client to determine what their personal objectives are, what they want out of their business and when they want to transition out.

The output of this workshop is presented in an informative and compelling spider graph showing the business owner their current situation and the areas they will need to work on to achieve their personal goals.

Once this assessment is completed a set of personal goals is developed and documented.

The Personal Goals module includes a Project Planning tool that can be used to manage actions, responsibilities and timelines for any initiatives identified during this phase of the coaching process. It is very likely that this step will uncover several areas relating to personal financial planning, business management and business practices that will need to be dealt with.

Module 2: Business Strategy

The business objectives need to be tailored to the personal objectives of the client.  With the clear understanding of what the business owner/ manager wants out of the business derived from Step 1 we can now set a business strategy to achieve this.

Business strategy includes two aspects:

1. Setting a vision and goals for the business.
2. Identifying what activities need to be undertaken to achieve the stated goals.

We provide a guide to developing business strategy.

The vision for the business and the strategies to take it there are summarized in the in a two page Strategic Plan. A template is provided for this purpose that ensures there is a clear, concise and communicable future for the business.

There are many methods that can be used to determine the vision and strategy of a business. RAN ONE provides three consulting tools (outside the coaching system) that can be used. Strategic Advantage™ is appropriate for larger more complex businesses, Business Diagnostic™ for small to medium enterprises and Wally™ for the small business client.

The Business Strategy module includes a Project Planning tool that can be used to manage actions, responsibilities and timelines for any initiatives identified during this phase of the coaching process.

Module 3: Monitoring And Reporting

The value of any strategy is limited by the level of its implementation so our next module deals with monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the business strategy. The tool for this step in the process is called Navigator™ which is comprised of several modules.

Modeler™ - The vital first part of monitoring performance is setting targets against which actual performance can be monitored. Modeler™ allows the coach to work with the client to build a financial forecast that comprises a P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Forecast. The level of complexity used in developing this model can vary depending on the needs and sophistication of the business. At one end a simple revenue and cost projection based on previous years can be used. Alternatively a full analysis can be performed based on revenue and cost drivers and a financial model can be built from the bottom up.

Actuals & Mapper™ - This module allows the importation of actual financial results and therefore a comparison to forecasts. Some initial set up work is required to bring data across from an accounting system but once this has been set up it can be done efficiently each reporting period.

Reporter™ - Reporter is a powerful report generating tool that provides the coach with the ability to generate monthly management reports that cover financial and non-financial information, commentary and other information. Reports can be tailored but are designed to form the basis of a monthly management reporting meeting, or a meeting of shareholders or with the business’ banker.

We are however as interested in strategic and operational initiatives as we are in financial performance (and of course they should be related), so Reporter™ allows the importation of project plan information from the Project Planning tools included with the Coaching System.

You can view or download a sample Navigator file for the client Dave’s Locks.

Module 4: Performance Improvement

Continuous improvement is the catch cry of all successful businesses. If you are not the market leader you have plenty of room to make improvements.   If you are a market leader and you do not continuously improve how you do things, then your position will be threatened by those who do it better.

One of the outcomes from the Monitoring and Reporting process is the identification of where the business is not performing to plan. Whilst it is easy to say the plan was too aggressive or market conditions have changed, successful businesses and more to the point successful coaches look at ways to deal with underperformance by identifying the problem and putting a solution in place.

With the Business Coaching System comes a guide to process improvement and the ability to select the action steps that will be required to improve particular processes. These are placed in the Project Planner and from there the coach is given access to the Online Wizard Library (O.W.L.) so that technique improvement becomes a reality.

Module 5: Building The TEAM

One of the most powerful elements of the RAN ONE Business Coaching System is the emphasis that is put on development of the TEAM. We have long held the view that Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM) but we believe there is more to it than that if you want your client to be a very successful business. Building successful businesses means developing an elite team of people who believe in the TEAM philosophy.

People are the intangible assets not recorded on the balance sheet, but are an absolutely fundamental part of all businesses. In our view of business coaching the development of a strong team is an essential step in allowing owners to fully monetize their investment in the business at the time of exit. Transition planning is a key strategic element for any privately owned business.

We start this process of building the team using the new TEAM Builder™ software application to objectively assess the current situation in terms of each of the following areas. This is done across the full team or a cross section should the size of the team be large. Once again we use the effective and compelling spider graph form of presentation.

Using the results of this assessment as the starting point the coach works with management and the team to develop the Team Building Plan that lays out what specific changes are going to be adopted and a TEAM Charter which is an agreement between the team members on how they are going to work together so that both the personal and the team goals are better achieved.

RAN ONE also distributes a training DVD by respected sports coach and business coaching advisor Leigh Matthews on how to build an elite Team. This DVD can be ordered from RAN ONE .

Module 6: Sensing Communicating Driving

The final module in the RAN ONE Business Coaching System actually deals with how you can be successful as a coach. There are three essential elements to your role:

1. Sensing how to mentor your client in the most effective way
2. Communicating effectively so that there is a full flow of relevant information between you and the client, between the management and the team and among team members
3. Driving the process forward as the client and the team lose motivation and the going gets tougher

To assist here we have provided a template for constructing a Communications Plan that you will finalize with management and that outlines how the coaching project communications will work in the organization. There is also an Engagement Letter defining how you are going to drive this process without stepping on anyone’s toes, but also knowing what levers you have access to.