01926 633333March 13th, 2024
The iTVX drama Breathtaking, sparked conversation at a recent Bourton Group LLP team meeting (held face-to-face by the way) around the fact that this month marks four years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We remembered how swiftly we established new ways of working outside our standard approach to keep people safe while mitigating the economic impact on our business.
We also recalled how during the first lock-down period we quickly launched virtual learning sessions to keep the performance improvement agenda at the forefront of people’s minds. Our ‘Coffee Break Sessions’ focused on Lean and Leadership tools and techniques and became so successful we ended up delivering 16 bi-weekly episodes in all.
A particularly well-attended episode by Mike Notman asked, “Can Remote Business Coaching deliver support in restricted times?”.
It’s available to listen to here. Or download our slide deck for future reference.
The Importance of Business Coaching
Business coaching has always proved vital to the success of our business transformation assignments. It provides guidance, accountability, objectivity, skill development, emotional support, and sustainability of continuous improvement. Our clients tell us that the expertise and support we have provided as coaches, has enabled them to navigate change more effectively and achieve their desired outcomes.
We ask, “Has the pendulum swung back towards face-to-face coaching?”
In our experience business coaching has indeed come full circle; from largely face-to-face interactions before COVID-19, shifting to online platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams during the pandemic, and now embracing a hybrid approach that combines the best of both worlds. The efficiency and accessibility of online coaching are undeniable.
For Bourton Group, we have emerged stronger and more agile. By incorporating online meeting rooms, digital whiteboards, and other ‘E-methods’ of traditionally manual procedures into our practices, our clients now benefit from more flexible means to the way we support their business improvement projects. Suddenly, geographical barriers are overcome, schedules are more flexible, and sessions are easily recorded for future reference.
Conclusion
- The hybrid model is emerging as a front-runner, blending the best of both worlds.
- Face-to-face sessions offer the invaluable human connection and spontaneity that virtual interactions sometimes lack.
- On the other hand, online coaching remains indispensable for its convenience and reach.
Adaptability remains key, be it through a screen or across a table. What remains unchanged is the essence of business coaching – guiding individuals and organisations towards making their business better.