Just wondering if there were anyone else who's PRIMARY business i coaching besides myself looking to network, maybe start a forum (rehab group ) or whatever.
Consultant comes in to help develop ideas already established, a teacher/coach helps develop ideas not established.
Coach has been ruined for me on account of seeing a lot of coaching companies lately posting jobs that 'anybody can do!'. In general, I see a coach as more of a management consultant. A consultant is usually specialized in a specific area (i.e. I specialize in internet marketing and web development), whereas a coach tends to be more of a generalist.
I guess its different in canada. Seems we have the same experiences regarding perception of coach/consultant, but mirror imaged. I have found the opposite to be true. Anyone who has an idea or 1 year experience in the usa, feels they can "consult" someone on anything, and tend to be very vague or general. Many people who have careers and retire, get laid off, fired or quit...end up being "consultants" to the industry Coaches pretty much HAVE to specialize...(I specialize in Guerrilla Marketing...albeit thats both offline and online as the principles are identical) I see it like this...the most common understanding of a coach is sports. If one wanted to be an olympic basketball player, they would hire a coach...one who brings out the best in the individual for a future goal. That coach will talk about nutrition, mindset, exercise, technique, strategy and will have experience themselves in the particular area. A coach is necessary for growth and improvement. A consultant can come in and give ideas on "theory"...but doesnt get into the nitty gritty, and usually does not guarantee an improvement in performance. Coaches deal with people Consultants deal with concepts People can be guaranteed to improve Ideas are not guaranteed to work Most coaches (credible ones anyway) offer a money back guarantee based on improvement of the individual or the individual's sphere of influence (business, relationship, etc) Unfortunately coaching has a lot of psychotherapuetic counseling that is required I started out as a consultant years ago, found coaching much more productive...but thats just my experience YMMV Nothing against you or consultants in general, but I definitely feel coaches are much more effective than consultants in majority of situations, as they change the people and not the situation. Which means the same people are equiped for any new situations, rather than be dependent to find out how to solve the next problem Teaching one to fish rather than giving one a fish kind of thing. The above takes for granted that both coach and consultant are professionals and not just people who woke up one day and added it to their business card My 2 cents anyway.