Coaching is one of the fastest growing training interventions. Its use also appears to be widespread; the CIPD survey 'Training and Development 2005', found that 88% of respondents reporting that they now use coaching. The CIPD results also suggest that the main reasons organisations are using coaching is to improve individual performance, deal with underperformance and improve productivity.

So what is coaching? The CIPD offers the following definition of coaching: Developing a person's skills and knowledge so that their job performance improves, hopefully leading to the achievement of organisational objectives. It targets high performance and improvement at work, although it may also have an impact on an individual's private life. It usually lasts for a short period and focuses on specific skills and goals. Coaching comes in many shapes and sizes ranging from the informal to the very structured and HR Advantage can offer quick access to a wide range of coaching resources. To achieve the best results, it is important that coaching is used when it is genuinely seen as the best way of helping an individual learn and develop. If you have never thought about coaching, an easy example of where it can be quickly be seen to have a positive effect is in improving personal impact through effective presentation in a variety of situations.

In a highly competitive world we all need the ability to promote our ideas, selves, goods and services to others. However amazing a product or service is, it will only work if the target market understands it. This is particularly true for more complex offerings such as financial instruments and professional services which tend to rely on presentations to get their messages across Presentation training can be equally important whether the presentation is to a large conference or a less formal set-up with just a few chairs around a desk. To stand out from the competition, presenters need to appear informal, spontaneous, enthusiastic, energised and trustworthy while achieving clarity of thought and message. Sound tough? It is, but the key to success is understanding individual strengths and building on them while also understanding individual weaknesses and learning to eradicate them. Personal impact coaching aims to deliver improved effectiveness in meetings and presentations. This style is personal and best undertaken on a one to one basis. Behaviours are examined and the factors that impress others about an individual and those that do not are identified in order to work to maximise the individual's self-awareness, confidence and strongest attributes. This work can also help individuals to improve their internal communication skills within an organisation and can transform an individual's perceptions and behaviour. Improved impact leads to greater insight, mutual trust, enhanced reputation and, ultimately, sales.

For further information and discussion about coaching in general or specifically, presentation coaching, please contact Theresa Marks on 01494 478 803 or email theresa@hradvantage.co.uk

June 2005