Customer Reviews

The Business Coaching Toolkit: Top 10 Strategies for Solving the Toughest Dilemmas Facing Organizations

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was a very good book. It was written well and an easy read. It is written for business coaches who will benefit from having different problem solving techniques presented to them. Some of what is covered has to do with how to effectively use people skills to help the people being coached. While other things covered had to do with what solutions to recommend when coaching. The book had 11 chapters as follows:

0. Introduction: The evolution of personal coaching
1. Developing a leadership vision (It's not what you think!)
2. The 1% solution
3. Getting things done through others
4. Making goals smart
5. The power of positive praise
6. Making feedback effective
7. A new twist on SWOT
8. The life leadership dashboard
9. The 6th suitcase
10. What color is your team?
11. Using the 10 tools
Appendix: the 10 tools summarized

I'm a SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) volunteer business coach. Just about everything covered in this book directly relates to what I do in my capacity as a SCORE volunteer. I was a very interested reader while turning the pages. And I must say I was not disappointed with what was presented. I won't say I learned anything new. And I don't think there is any rocket science included. But for a seasoned business coach and entrepreneur this book was a fun read for me. 5 stars!

The authors have put together a terrific resource for business coaches - whether the people you coach are your employees or clients. The information is expertly presented in a nuts-and-bolts way so even "non-coaches" can benefit from it. I especially like the "Top 10 Ways to Use This Tool" section after each strategy, and Chapter 11, "Using the 10 Tools." Fairley and Zipp coach the reader through the use of their tools and strategies, and include their own real-life approaches. I own dozens of business books, but this is one of the select few which I'll keep close at hand for ongoing reference.

Bill Collier
Collier Business Advisors, LLC
[....]
Author of ...
How to Succeed as a Small Business Owner ... and Still Have a Life

This book review is written from a different perspective. I am not a professional business coach, but I have benefited from Bill Zipp's coaching and mentoring for several years. If he writes like he coaches this book should be 10 stars.

As I have surveyed 'The Business Coaching Toolkit' I recognized several themes that Bill encouraged me to consider, the one percent solution, the sixth suitcase, SMART goals and the new twist on SWOT. But, more importantly, is that he walked me through each of the exercises and assignment with a combination of competence and care. The process enriched my life and enhance my effectiveness as a leader. He wasn't able to change my weaknesses into strength, but he was able to help me identify areas that need attention and then gave me some tools to do my best.

I recommend this book because I recommend the author.

Charles David Kelley
President
Bridge Builders International

As an experienced business coach (eighteen years), I resonated with many of the observations and descriptions. I also picked up some excellent tips (the closure letter for one) and have done a fair amount of reflection on my own coaching practice while reading. That's a lot of value to receive from one book!